For me, I usually check that the BIOS setting for such is enabled, then I unplug the devices and install the MOTHERBOARD DRIVERS. I won't know which since nothing about your machine was noted.

http://www.usbman.com notes this issue (motherboard drivers and BIOS settings) as being the most common cause with other issues following.

With USB 1.1 and 2.0 cards available for much less than 20 dollars, I would not take such to a technician, but install a new PCI USB card if I suspected the onboard ports to be dead.

Bob