Is it a USB hardware failure? Please say it isn't...

Hello,

I have a problem with my USB ports - one of them stopped working and another works from time to time, suddenly disconnecting attached devices.

Tried SMD/NWRAM reset w/o results.

Tried to boot from Linux USB drive - the drive wasn't recognised.

Does it mean hardware failure and farewell to the notebook (for some time) and certain amount of cash(forever!).

Please say it doesn't and there's another magic key combination which will cure the USB.

Thanks in advance,

Michael