We just installed Vista on our new Dell desktop and shortly the Microsoft wireless mouse / keyboard stopped functioning. Found out there were incompatibility issues so I downloaded the update for it.
That caused the USB port to stop recognizing the devices.
Switched back to a wired version (Dell keyboard, IBM mouse) which only worked until I rebooted. Then the ports they were in stopped functioning (device not recognized) even though those devices had working drivers that WERE fine before the reboot.
Now when I turn off the computer and back on - no keyboard or mouse to use anywhere. All ports disabled.
HELP!

I tried turning off the machine (hard power down, ouch!) and then unplugging it for a few minutes. ONce I restored power the USB ports read my keyboard and mouse again.
Still looking for help on how to keep this from happening on each reboot though!