Contact lost with memory card readers

My desktop PC (new last year) has 4 memory card readers built-in, which
worked fine on delivery. Somehow, they are no longer recognised by the
machine - and don't show up in Device Manager - even after scanning for new
hardware.
Can anyone suggest what I might do to correct the problem?

 

As a rule, you can assume that a device not seen by Device Manager is
somehow Not connected correctly. As opposed to being a driver problem, you
should be looking in the BIOS setup, to see if the devices are seen there.

 

Hey, thanks for the instant response!

I should say that although I can't see the readers AS SUCH in Device
Manager, there is a long list of items listed under USB controllers
(including Generic Hubs (2), Composite Device, Mass Storage Device, Root Hubs
(5), Universal Host Controllers (4), Enhanced Host Controller); could they be
hiding in any of those?

I don't have the first clue about looking in the BIOS setup!!!

 

If Device Manager lists Root Hub devices...

highlight each USB Root Hub device, Action menu, "Uninstall", (do Not put a
check in 'delete driver") then Action menu,"scan for hardware changes", to
find the device drivers again automatically.

 

When your PC is powered on,the very first screen which you see on the
display (typically containing your mother-board's manufacturer name,serial
number of the motherboard,installed memory and micro-processor
information,etc.) would probably also contain information on how to enter
the BIOS setup.It will be displayed as to which key should be pressed in
order to enter the BIOS setup.The keys are typically either of F1,F2,F10,Del
and Esc.
If it doesn't list this information,have a look at the mother-board's
manual.
Once having entered the BIOS,on-screen instructions will guide you properly
enough as to where to look for to detect connected USB devices.But be
careful,do NOT fiddle with any other setting.

Hey, thanks for the instant response!

I should say that although I can't see the readers AS SUCH in Device
Manager, there is a long list of items listed under USB controllers
(including Generic Hubs (2), Composite Device, Mass Storage Device, Root
Hubs
(5), Universal Host Controllers (4), Enhanced Host Controller); could they
be
hiding in any of those?

I don't have the first clue about looking in the BIOS setup!!!