Computer gurus!

[eric-holmes]

Ok, here is something else that is happening that is weird. When I plug my keyboard/mouse into the USB ports in the back of the computer, neither one of the items work. BUT, if I plug the speakers into a USB port in the back of the computer, the speakers will work. I can, however, plug the keyboard and mouse into the front USB ports on the front of the computer and both items work. Confusing.

Note: identical USB ports were used on the rear of the computer for testing the mouse/keyboard/speakers.

 

[johnh2005]

Ok, here is something else that is happening that is weird. When I plug my keyboard/mouse into the USB ports in the back of the computer, neither one of the items work. BUT, if I plug the speakers into a USB port in the back of the computer, the speakers will work. I can, however, plug the keyboard and mouse into the front USB ports on the front of the computer and both items work. Confusing.

Note: identical USB ports were used on the rear of the computer for testing the mouse/keyboard/speakers.

What Operating system are you using? If it is Vista or 7 sometimes they are finicky about stuff like that. Each time you plug a device into a different USB port it will install the drivers for it. I would try plugging the mouse and keyboard in in the back, plug a second set in the front and go to the control panel and tell the computer to search for new hardware.

 

[eric-holmes]

Windows 7. I don't currently have another set but I'll try to borrow one.

 

[johnh2005]

Well depending on how good you are at just using a mouse or just a keyboard to navigate you could plug on in the back and one in the front get it working in the back then swap the front item to the back. If you are more comfortable using a mouse only as navigation use the mouse in the front first to get keyboard working then swap the mouse to the back.

 

[GeekZu101]

The best suggestion: Get a new computer, preferably a Mac. I use one, and I just love it.,

 

[StringThing]

I'm a bit late to this thread but will throw in my $.02 in case that it helps. Since a likely power surge took out your NIC controller, it is possible that it has damaged some of your USB ports. I have seen motherboard where the rear USB ports will not work but the front ones will. You have a couple of options in my opinion.

1) Bring the computer in for service to a reputable shop, explain the problem with the power surge and if they discover that the USB controller got baked, they can install an expansion card (similar to the one you bought for the Ethernet connection) to give you 2-4 working rear USB ports.
2) Pick up a USB expansion card yourself and install it beside the new ethernet card. (Assuming there is a free expansion PCI slot)
3) You may want to strongly consider a proper UPS that can handle lightning strikes close-by and strong line surges, the little power strips don't cut it most of the time. For about $100 you can protect your investment. Example: Newegg.com - APC BE750G 750 VA 450 Watts 10 Outlets Power Saving Back-UPS ES

Hope that helps.

 

[eric-holmes]

I'm a bit late to this thread but will throw in my $.02 in case that it helps. Since a likely power surge took out your NIC controller, it is possible that it has damaged some of your USB ports. I have seen motherboard where the rear USB ports will not work but the front ones will.

Here is the weird thing. I can plug the speakers into the exact same usb port in the back of the computer and they will work. If a plug a mouse into the exact same port as the speakers (I've tried two different ones), it will not work.

 

[ghache]

since your nic port is fried from a power surge, you might have more stuff fried on your board. it happened to me about a year ago. I changed my board, cpu and ram for not much money. im happy i got that I7, board and 6 gig of ram for about 500$

 

[StringThing]

Here is the weird thing. I can plug the speakers into the exact same usb port in the back of the computer and they will work. If a plug a mouse into the exact same port as the speakers (I've tried two different ones), it will not work.

Interesting. Then the USB ports are working and it could be a driver issue. If your mouse came with software you could try uninstalling it, or, if you are familiar with drivers and the device manager, you could try removing the mouse drivers, rebooting and then re-inserting the mouse to see if you can get it to synch with that port.