Question : Problem: USB ports not funtioning

I have a ? on a computer that I use for my business, so this is VERY important.  Please help me!  Im not sure how it happened but I do know that my 4 yr old was messing with my keyboard today, and my desktop icons were all messed up.  After kicking her out of my office I went in and checked my e-mails, typed letters etc.  Everything seemed to be just fine.  I re-booted to get a "clean" start before I went into my program.  When I re-booted it came up with "New Hardware Found"  "General purpose USB Hub" "Windows is installing the software for your new hardware"  then it freezes!  The only thing I have on a usb port is my keyboard.  So I unplugged it and re-booted and it went into windows fine.  I plugged the usb keyboard back in and same thing happens, freezes everytime!  I tried to plug my scanner into the usb port and it did detect it but when it said it was installing software for it, it froze too!  I am using my ps2 (?) keyboard now and that works fine.  I called Dell support and I swear that guy was no help at all.  He acted clueless!!  This computer is on Win98 (second edit.)and is only 6 mths old.  My husband will kill me if he finds out I left the keyboard drawer open for her to get to.  PLEASE HELP!!!
Thank you,
Sharon

Answer : Problem: USB ports not funtioning

How about the drivers were refreshed, but what if they are corrupt? Perhaps System File checker would help.