I am attempting to hook a piece of hardware into my laptop through the usb port. the external hardware lets asks me which port i am using on my computer to connect. i am given options of port 1-4. the problem is that the usb port on my computer is considered port #5. so my computer is not able to recognize the hardware. can i change the port address to 4 instead of 5?

What operating system are you running??
What is the hardware you are hooking up??

i am operating under windows XP (laptop). unfortunantly now that i look at my explanation of my problem i realize i explained it wrong. I have a program called WINDRAS on my computer that allows me to hook up and read a Cinema Processor in a movie theatre. I hook up to this cinema processor by my USB port. This windras program asks me to select which port i am using to connect to this cinema processor. this program gives me the options of choosing between port 1 - 4. My computer recognizes the usb ports as #5 and #6. Can i reassign these ports to a different number?

From Win XP Help:
USB ports have a separate entry in Device Manager. To check the device status, click Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click USB Root Hub, and then click Properties. If you do not see USB Root Hub, you might not have a USB port installed on your computer.

You can also use the Hardware troubleshooter to diagnose and solve problems with hardware devices such as USB game controllers. Start the Hardware troubleshooter.

USB devices do not have port assignments. Windows recognizes them as "Human Interfaces". When you boot with something plugged into a USB connection it should be recognized even if it's recognized as a "unknown device".

Make sure your USB controllers are enabled in bios.

After installing the hardware look in the Device Manager for the device double click it if it is possible to change the port there will be a Tab when opened with an Advanced button if there is none then you will not be able to change it. If there is then click the Advanced Button and assign it a port.

As Enthusiast stated USB ports do not have assigned ports.