BleepingComputer.com: WIN XP not recognizing new USB flash/hardware

Howdy ~

Probably showing my ignorance here, but ~ as the topic says, I can't get my Windows XP PC to recognize new USB flash drives or USB devices (external DVD drive). It asks for the driver software for plug-n-play devices, and it is infuriating!

Weird thing is, that it still recognizes previously loaded USB flash drives and devices, so I figure I have to "clean something out" to get it done ~ I just have no clue what to do wihtout potentially making it worse. Any thoughts?

Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600
Intel® Pentium® D CPU 3.00GHz
RAM 4096 MB
Plenty of hard disk space (couple of Gbytes)

This is what comes up when I plug in a new USB device:
[Popup}
Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard
This wizard helps you intstall software for: [x]

If your hardware come with an installation CD of floppy disk, insert it now.

What do you want the wizard to do? [install the software] [install foma list or specific location] Click Next to continue

Of course, it cannot find the installation software no matter what is done (cd software, search computer, downloading drivers from manuafaturer, etc.).

Stuck here! Hope someone can help ~ thanks.

Soma

USB problems can sometimes be solved by uninstalling the USB controllers through Device Manager, rebooting and allowing the OS to reinstall them. This has been known to fix the problem.

If your new drives came with CDs, you should cancel the Hardware Wizard and install
the new drives from the manufacturers' CDs, IMO.

That advice appears on the first 'Wizard' screen.

More documentation on General USB Problems in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575.

Louis