Please help! I have an IBM PC running Windows 2000 Professional. The computer has 4 USB ports: 2 in the back (along with a parallel port) and 2 in the front behind a small pop-open panel. The Device Manager does not list any USB ports (it lists 2 ports: a communications port {COM1} and a printer port {LPT1}). I have been trying to attach a Brother MFC8500 printer/fax/scanner to the computer using a 10' A-B USB cable. For whatever reason, the computer does not recognize the USB ports and does not direct the Brother software installation program to the USB driver installation screen like it is supposed to. I am assuming the problem is with the computer: it does not seem to recognize the ports. What do I do? Thanks for any help you can give me!
^ or If you check under your device manager they should be listed at the bottom, with the name Universal Serial Bus Controllers if not check your BIOS, as USB might be disabled!
I'd have to agree. The previous suggestions are great, but totally useless if the USB controller isn't enabled. I'm not sure what key will get you into BIOS, but if it's not the standard [Del] key, it may be one of the Function keys ( F1, F2, etc). You'll have to try rebooting the system and hitting a key during boot, but prior to the system attempting to get into Windows. If that's too daunting, you might snag a more PC savvy buddy to help you.
Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I double checked the BIOS again and, sure enough, I found at the bottom of one of the screens an ENABLE/DISABLE USB PORTS option. Once I enabled it, the computer found the ports and now my printer is working fine. Thank you again! I really appreciate the help!
