So I went to school today
and got my classroom set up.
While I was there they gave me my laptop. Now laptops are vital in schools these days as rather then blackboards we have interactive whiteboards which run from the laptop.

Anyway, this laptop has been knocking about for a while but it was all set up for me.
The problem is that I have got it home today to find that the USB ports don't work.
When I plug my USB memory stick in the computer recognises it as a memory stick but wants software to run the bloody thing.

Any ideas what I can do to fix it? I can't go back into school as it's the holidays.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Fri 19 Dec 2008, 18:31, 4 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Have you
got it connected to the internet?

Usually drivers are automatically updated when you're on the net.
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 18:42, Reply)

Operating System version?
Is it Window 98? That does need drivers for Mass Storage Devices. Most OSes after that have them already built in.

As per Ethelred's suggestion above try it when you're online and in the window prompting for drivers tell it to search online.
(bill, Fri 19 Dec 2008, 18:50, Reply)

teh internets is borked also
Mr Bin has got some idea it's to do with the registry and is off to try and fix it.

It's Windows Whatever It Was Before Vista.

The problem is that it has been running online for however long with utterly inadequate virus killers.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Fri 19 Dec 2008, 19:00, Reply)

Ah. That's the problem.
If it's been running Windows Exploder without a firewall or antivirus, it's been proper fucked by Zee Germanss by now as the script kiddies have been abusing it for their lulz and the porno crowd has probably made it into a zombie.

If it can get online, get Mozilla on there ASAP, then run Hitman Pro on it and let it fly.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 19 Dec 2008, 19:46, Reply)