This is a PITA (pain in the ***, lol!)of a problem (the USB hub all of a sudden either doesn't work, or goes REALLY slow..."
A few fixes:
#1, uninstall the USB Hub-driver and DO NOT reinstall on your own. Rather, re-boot and allow windows to "recognize new hardware" and locate best driver for it (this is assuming they have worked before)
#2, you can try and do a system recovery back to a time when they did function, however it may more trouble than it's worth to keep your current settings...
#3 (and this SUCKS) You've tried to re-install the drivers, but that may not be the issue. They simply might be loose! If you are using them for peripherals such as game controllers, and have frequent plugging/unplugging you mave have loosened the soldered connections of the USB "female" end. IF this is so, you will have to crack open th elaptop and examine, re-solder if possible).
In the end, if it IS a software issue, see if you can't find the latest USB 1.0 or 2.0 driver from driverguide.com, at least then you will know you have the most recent driver!
I am in college, this would be my second computer (my current laptop is too cumbersome to carry), so...
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I am in college, this would be my second computer (my current laptop is too cumbersome to carry), so it just needs to do Internet, MS Word, and MS Powerpoint, maybe movies when I travel and sometimes iTunes. (I will be buying MS Office and an external cd/dvd drive.)
Would you buy an HP Mini 311 with WIN 7 or Toshiba Satellite T115?
HP
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&series_name=mini311_series&a1=Category&v1=Mini
Upgrades:
-Windows 7 Home Premium
-from 1 GB to 2 or 3 GB RAM (how much?)
-maybe upgrade hard drive
-N280 Processor
-Wireless G card with Bluetooth
Price: $529.99 - $594.99 (depending on RAM and/or hard drive)
Toshiba
http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/T100/T115-S1105
As is, no upgrades.
Price $479.99