USB Device Not Recognized

[Guest]

I have this "Error" message, that continues to pop up every 10 to 15 seconds:
"One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and
Windows does not recognice it."
It then gives the location of the device as USB Root Hub (2 ports) and shows
one unused port and one Unknown Device.

The problem is, there is nothing plugged in to that port. It is on the rear
of the tower and I checked. There is a secondary USB, also on the rear, that
I use for the mouse, Keyboard and printer.
There are two front USB ports, that are not used at all.

I have attempted to uninstall this mystery device, but after approximately
15 seconds, the same error message pops up.

I would be happy, with just the ability to turn off this anoying message,
but have not been able to figure out a way. Is there something in the
registry settings or elsewhere that would quiet this error, or permanently
fix it?

 

[Guest]

I got the same issue yestoday! Exact same! I try to isolate. only find that
the "USB Root Hub (2 ports)" with unknown device is used to control game pad.

 

[mak]

I'm having the same problem. I talked to Dell Warranty support and we
reinstalled my operating system (windows xp) - no luck. (It seems like I can
make the error message appear by touching the area to the left of my mousepad
(on the surface of my laptop) with my left wrist!). I've spent over 10 hrs on
the phone with Dell tech support and the error message is driving me nuts.

Any ideas?

mak