USB port problems

[SavannahLion]

Testing hardware/Software

Dell E1705 Duo Centrino (What of it?).
Logitech Click! Optical USB Mouse.
Windows XP Media Ed.

On occasion, when the laptop goes into sleep mode or when I close the screen (forcing sleep mode), the USB mouse receives no power noted by the absence of light from the laser. I always use the same port for the mouse, so I've moved the mouse to a different port when this happens. Same thing, no power.

Interestingly, I haven't noticed the problem when the external USB drive is connected. However, I can't test anything with it since it's packed away atm.

The longer the laptop is in sleep, the more likely it seems to disable the mouse.

When this occurs, it can take between one minute or five minutes for power to be reinstated to the mouse.

I'm mentioning the following because I noticed the mouse problem around the same time. Could be related, could not. On a side note, I've noticed a behavioral change in the fans for the laptop. When I first received the laptop, the fans kicked in on a regular basis on battery and almost always on when plugged in. A few months ago, the fans were always on regardless of power state and in the last four months, the fans are rarely on. Sometimes causing me concern so I force the fans on with Deifer's fan control. The final fan state condition changed the same time I updated Deifer's software, so it's probably related to the update.

I've Googled all over the net for the past week but obviously I'm using the wrong search terms.

Does anyone have any idea what might be the problem with the USB mouse?

[JasonA]

I have an idea, no guarantee.

Go into the Device manager, then scroll down to the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.

There should be 1 or more entries called USB Root Hub. 

For each USB Root Hub, right-click->properties, and go to the power management tab.  In the tab there should be a check box, allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.  You'll want to make sure these boxes are clear.

Also check to see if there are any other power setting in there that might relate to your problem.