Are the USB Ports getting power to them? Even if the devices aren't recognised, does the lights on them light up? Does windows come up with an error, or just not recognise them at all? It could be a setting in the BIOS that is disabling USB Devices. To access the BIOS you will need to keep pressing the f10 key when the computer is first been turned on. It should then open the BIOS. 2. Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Load Setup Defaults, and then press enter. 3. When the Setup Confirmation is displayed, press enter. 4. To save your change and exit the Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter. The Setup Utility default settings go into effect when the computer restarts. See if that works. If not, you may still be able to get a backup drive to work in a boot CD environment. Try this first though, post back here if it doesn't work and i'll give some instructions on how to get some stuff backed up if it doesn't fix it. Worst comes to worst, you could try copy your files over ethernet to anther computer (brother, mum etc.) and reinstall windows. Manual for DV6 - http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01758220.pdf