Try repairing XP *with all USB devices unplugged*.

http://www.gateway.com/support/product/Software/WinXP/Installs/750959411.shtml

Start at #5

Bill

: : front usb port.software is not xp compat, but updated to xp version.

: I'm sorry. What does the above mean? Ports don't use software. They use standard Windows drivers.

: Did you upgrade Windows to XP with your USB devices connected? If you did, you should probably reinstall clean. Windows XP most likely picked up bad habits from your old setup:

: http://www.usbman.com/Guides/Clean%20Install%20of%20Windows.htm

: Bill