Unknown Device with USB flash drive in Windows XP. Please read details fully, and any help would be

Details

Windows XP with service pack 2 updated.

Device recognized just fine on two friends PC's with XP SP2

Got device off Ebay and works fine. Manufacturer unknown.

tried all USB slots in front and back of PC

Dell computer and is about 3 yrs old.

I have had no issues with any other USB or Plug%26amp;Play device

From what I have researched, I am not missing the necessary driver. It IS on my computer.

possibilities mentioned so far are

Registry error

BIOS

I would really like to avoid reinstalling XP if at all possible.

Unknown Device with USB flash drive in Windows XP. Please read details fully, and any help would be great!?microsoft live

might be wrong usb ex. usb 2.0 device or hub are not compatilble with each other

Unknown Device with USB flash drive in Windows XP. Please read details fully, and any help would be great!?microsoft internet explorer internet explorer

well good news it has nothing to do with your OS. you need to update your BIOS you can find the most recent updates on the manufacturer's website of your motherboard along with instructions. I strongly suggest you read the instructions carefully
All you have to do is go under device manager and right click the unknown usb port and click properties and click driver and then click update driver, Well you should have downloaded the driver from the manufacturer first but then find where you put the driver and use that and it should work then or after a restart.
may have USB 1 ports and will not work with the device -- not a registry im sure of that one -- umm why the BIOS would stop and give device error - in the Bios would either turn on or off the ports. assuming the driver is installed for the port.

I have a toshiba laptop that is about 3 years old as well and has USB1 ports and some (newer) thumb drives wont work on it
Can't be sure this is the issue but it is possible that your machine is USB 1.1 and the device requires USB 2.0 and will not work on 1.1.

If you do have USB 2.0 you may not have installed the enhanced drivers to activate 2.0.

Just a thought.
I have the same problem I just right clicked on it and disabled it , my computer is running fine without it.