reset USB ports?

I know that there is a huge problem with apple devices not showing up in windows, which is part of the problem. However I have new problem.

When I plug in the ipod shuffle to the USB port nothing at all happens.

I used to plug it in and it would say unknown device or device was not installed sucessfully. Eventually it even stops saying that. Now it doesn't even show up in the device manager. Did I lock the device from being used some how? I've tried all the ports. all other usb devices work. Is there a way to reset the usb ports? I can plug the device into a wall socket to charge it just fine. Its the little guy with the audio jack base. I belive its a 2nd Gen. my computer is an HP elitebook running windows 7.

I finally bought the charger after months of not being able to listen to music and now this. I'm so frustrated. I even extracted the apple mobile device installer and tried to install it separetly. Even the latest itunes didn't work. I won't even know if I fixed the problem since the device wont even show up now.

I'd appreciate any insight.