USB ports stop working at random

[Rich T]

I have been plagued with random USB port failures. WHen it is mouse or
keyboard it wastes all afternoon trying to fix. How can I stop this
happening?

I have all latest updates, patches and fixes installed.

 

[Not Me]

Check with the motherboard manufacturer for an updated driver, or try a
Vista compatible add in USB card and disable the onboard ports.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Open Device Manager (located in the Control Panel)
and expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
Right-click on USB Root Hub and select Properties.
Click on the Power Management tab and uncheck
"Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

Do the same for your Mouse and Keyboard listed in Device Manager.

 

[Matthew R.]

Try going to C:\Windows\inf and deleting the file INFCACHE.1

For some reason that file becomes corrupted often. Plugging in a USB device
after deleting that file will force Vista to create a fresh version of the
file and your USB devices should work again.

Doing a quick search for INFCACHE.1 will dig up more information on this; if
you still need it.