I just keep getting the same message:

Cannot continue the hardware update wizard

The wizard could not find a better match for your hardware that the software you currently have installed.

There maybe an issue with the USB ports as faulty.

Have you tried uninstalling USB drivers for each one listed?
Then actualy uninstall the USB them selves then reboot and let new hardware wizard install them?

A system restore could solve this problem.

Thanks for all the help, but they are still not working.

I have uninstalled the USB Root hubs and restarted. I have tried System Restore to 4 days before the problem occurred.

Would a repair install fix it, do you think?

I find it weird that, my verball and trackerball have never been unplugged, and I am not having a problem with them, just a pain in the *** with the empty ports.

Hi,a repair may work.Try it.

Have you run virus scans etc?

I am all uptodate security wise, no virus or nasties on my machine.

I will run the repair install later today and post back whether or not it works.

Thanks

Technical Support Infousb.htm - 13k

try this it may help

So I tried a repair install, didn't make any difference.

I tried all of the above suggestions again, still no joy.

Any other ideas, or shall I just resign myself to the fact that this is never going to work again?

Thanks