Hi Dan,

You can follow the below steps to resolve the usb plug issue:

1. A simple restart of the Windows computer can sometimes solve this problem. Unplug your USB, restart you computer and plug in and see if it works now. If it does not, shut down your computer, wait for a few minutes and then start your computer again.

2. To avoid a possible conflict between two connected USB Devices, disconnect your other USB’s, connect this one and see if it helps.

3. Run devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager. Under Action tab, select Scan for hardware changes and see if it helps.

4. Check if you need to update your drivers. Open Control Panel > Printers and devices. Check if you can see any entry for Unidentified USB device or Unknown Device. Open its Properties and update its driver, if an update is found to be available.
5. From the Device Manager, under USB Root Hub Properties, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. See if this helps. If not check it back again.


6. Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter or the Windows USB Troubleshooter and check if it helps. The automated tools check the hardware or USB connected to the computer for any known issues and fix them automatically.

You can follow the below  methods that will certainly fix Wifi adapter issue:

1. Use netsh.exe

The easiest and most common solution is to use netsh to reset the TCP/IP stack to its default configuration.
The NetShell utility (netsh.exe) is a highly versatile tool that lets power users manage a myriad of computer processes right from the command line. Here’s how to put the tool to work for you:
Press the Windows Key + x + a to launch the Command Prompt with administrator rights.

Now in the black window type the following command:
netsh int ip reset C:\resetlog.txt Then reboot the computer and retry the internet connection. It should connect fine now.

2. Disable all adapters except wireless.

1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “R”.
2. Type in the box: “devmgmt.msc”.
3. Under the topic “Bluetooth” you will need to disable everything you have there.
4. Under the topic “Network Adapter” you will have to disable all the entries except the one for the Wireless adapter you have.
5. Reboot the Windows PC or laptop.
6. See if you have a stable wi fi connection after the restart.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Lokesh

Hi Dan, Just to clarify, you have two problems, namely: (1) Your Windows XP laptop's USB ports are not recognizing devices that you plug into it; and (2) Your laptop's built-in WiFi adapter is not working, so you can now only connect to your local network or to the Internet via a LAN cable. Is this correct? If so, then the most likely solution is for you to properly re-install or update your laptop's motherboard drivers and other firmware components to the latest versions for Windows XP... To do this, you can install and use Driver Reviver, which can be downloaded from http://www.reviversoft.com/driver... Or, you can insert your driver disk into your CD / DVD drive, launch the provided installation wizard and follow the succeeding prompts provided by the wizard to re-install your laptop's motherboard drivers and firmware components... Or, you can follow the steps below... STEP 1. Insert your driver disk containing your laptop's motherboard drivers and firmware components into your CD / DVD drive -- This driver disk is normally bundled with your laptop. If you don't have the driver disk, go to your laptop manufacturer's website and download the installers for your specific laptop make and model's motherboard drivers and firmware components; STEP 2. To check if your motherboard drivers and firmware components are properly installed -- Go to Control Panel and click System. Then, click the Hardware tab. Next, click the Device Manager button; STEP 3. To properly install or update the driver for your built-in Wi-Fi adapter -- Select and expand Network adapters from the dropdown. Then, right-click on your built-in Wi-Fi adapter and select Update Driver to launch Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the succeeding prompts provided by the Hardware Update Wizard, keeping in mind to point to the location of your driver disk or the directory where you saved the installers that you downloaded from your laptop manufacturer's website; and STEP 4. To properly install or update the driver for your USB ports -- Go back to Device Manager. Then, select and expand Universal Serial BUS controllers from the dropdown. Then, right-click on Generic USB Hub and select Update Driver to launch Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the succeeding prompts provided by Hardware Update Wizard, keeping in mind to point to the location of your driver disk or the directory where you saved the installers that you downloaded from your laptop manufacturer's website. Hope this helps...

Hi Dan, If you are able to locate the USB ports and controllers in the Windows Device Manager, right-click each USB entry shown there and uninstall it. Once you have removed all the USB entries, restart your computer and allow Windows to automatically reinstall the USB drivers for your USB ports and controllers. You can now check to see if your USB ports are working with all your USB devices. I also recommend reading through this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817900 Let us know how this works out for you. Good luck, James