Missing USB port

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

I have been using an Epson 915 USB printer for a couple of years with
my PC running Win98. Last night the error message came back that the
EUSB port was not connected. I have checked the connection and that
seems OK although I do not have a spare cable to check that it is not
a cable fault. When looking through the Device Manager in the system
properties I did notice that there was no mention of a USB driver in
there. I have a couple of suspicions. The first that I have managed to
'blow' the USB chip and the second that I have a virus that has
somehow removed the USB from recognition. Can anyone make any
suggestions before I go through the pain of re-installing the OS and
all the apps to see if it that? Thanks.