USB Device not Recognized

my USB and ext Hdd cant Recognized by windows, when i plug it into my port a pop up came outaying "USB Device not Recognized, one of ur USB device has malfunction" can somebody please help me on this problem.

There are two topics dealing with the same problem:
http://www.compatdb.org/support/topics/163019_desperately_need_help_usb_devices_not_recognized.html
http://www.compatdb.org/support/topics/176233_usb_device_not_recognized_malfunction.html