Windows XP Installation Problem

[dsimmons1029]

bought a used dell laptop and the external drives are not working, what could be the problem

 

[hang-the-9]

Have you tried all the USB ports? Try a USB mouse/keyboard, do they work? If not, the USB ports may be dead. Which may or may not be fixable with a BIOS update and/or a chipset driver update from Dell. Check online for your model.