USB ports not working

[Oromocto]

Yesterday I tried to help a friend install a new scanner that had a USB port input only. This was a gift "no name" home built computer and has two USB physical port connections that don't work. They are not listed in the "Device Manager" and I get a message that I need to check the cable running from computer to scanner. Cable OK.
The software loaded normally and all indications are that the scanner drivers are loaded OK.
I am stuck on this one because I don't know how to "configure or install or otherwise fix this problem". Much thanks for any help. OS system is ME, the speed is 700Mhz and 128 mb memory.

if you go into the bios is usb devices enabled?

what is the model and brand of the scanner.

[Oromocto]

GZ3: The scanner is a Plustek UT12. It worked with ME when I retired it a couple of years ago when I wound I couldn't get a driver that worked with Windows XP. (I notice that they now have
a driver out for XP.) It is almost 4MB in size and I have no way of transportin it. The lady has only a floppy drive and no web connection. But I think the drivers are OK.
This is a home made computer and has no name listed on the case.
I have no experience with accessing Bios except on my own two computers, a Dell and a Compaq. What is the most common method of accessing BIOS?

press f2 or delete when the pc is booting, it should do a memory check and ask to press f2 or delete

[elroy]

To move the driver get File Splitter and then you can cut the file into 3 pieces, put the pieces on floppies and move them to the other pc, then reassemble them. Very easy.
http://www.dekabyte.com/filesplitter/
Also once you are sure the USB is enabled in the bios you might open the case and make sure the cable from the USB ports are connected to the board.

[Omardeth]

it could be that the front usb cabling isn't connected correct . did you check to see if it was ? if the pins aren't right it will give you that error .

[Oromocto]

WOW! You guys are great, lots of good answers, and quick too. I wasn't expecting much in the way of answers on Superbowl Sunday. But there is still time to go fetch the munchies and settle in for the game .

[Oromocto]

Since I posted the USB question I have received a number of answers, all good and I appreciate them all. However new questions keep popping up as I research this problem.
One fellow mentioned that the BIOS came defaulted in the OFF position. That gave me food for thought so I started checking my own computer and sure enough they are OFF, yet I have USB units running from these ports. My Dell manual mentions that they are OFF to allow the Operating System to control the Plug and Play devices.
So my idea that the missing "Universal Serial Bus Controller" enrties in the Device Manager of my friends computer might be normal since there are no devices attached and the Operating System would see no need to activate. Any thoughts out there on this one.

[Bovon]

Originally posted by Oromocto

So my idea that the missing "Universal Serial Bus Controller" enrties in the Device Manager of my friends computer might be normal since there are no devices attached and the Operating System would see no need to activate. Any thoughts out there on this one.

I believe you are correct here. Before I attached a USB camera, and enabled USB in the BIOS, there was nothing about USB in Device Manager. (Windows 98 SE) I don't know how this may be in later versions of the OS. As soon as I needed USB, I enabled it in the BIOS, connected the camera...Windows saw it and ran the hardware wizard, asked for the drivers etc, and installed the camera. I then looked in Device manager, and there was the USB devices and controllers.

I have not tried this (but I can very easily if needed) to remove all USB devices, reboot into the BIOS and disable USB...reboot into Windows and check Device Manager to see if the USB controllers are still there.

I have since added a USB ver. 2.0 card...and that could affect what shows up in Device Manager and when because the card is extra hardware and has its own drivers installed..and is not controlled thru the BIOS. By removing the controller card would probably do the same as disabling USB in the BIOS.

[Oromocto]

Bovon: You are indeed a trooper, but no I won't ask you to go that far. I am probably not as far along in this stuff as you are and my motto has always been "It it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I will be going over to my friend's house this afternoon armed with a copy of the MOBO manual and new drivers for the BIOS and the USB section. I won't get into it to that extent but at least she will have the information available should she need to get better help. At least I will turn on the the BIOS setting for the USB ports.
Thanks for your generous offer.