How to reinstall USB2 drivers in WinXP

My problem:
Windows XP Professional (with Service Pack 2, and all subsequent
critical updates as of 6 Sept 2006) is unable to reinstall its drivers
for my USB devices. I used to have them functioning earlier this
week, but not any more.

My retail WinXP-Pro (with SP1) CD is useless for a repair installation
- it states that my current version is later than the CD version, and
then it exits. What a bummer - the CD now is useless because I
previously used Windows Updates.

Problem began when I upgraded my Sony VAIO PCG-GRT170 notebook
(purchased August 2003, WinXP-Home installed) by installing a
larger/faster hard drive and performing a clean install of WinXP-Pro
(retail version). I prepared for the upgrade by going to Sony's
support site and downloading its proprietary drivers for the VAIO
notebook, and I had it up and functioning. My first USB2 devices
(Compact Flash readers) worked well after the upgrade. However, my
Canon LiDE 80 USB scanner didn't function even after I reinstalled its
software (CanoScan ToolBox couldn't recognize that the USB scanner was
attached).

A solution commonly suggested was to go into Device Manager, uninstall
the USB hub, uninstall the USB Host Controller, reboot, and then let
Windows reinstall the necessary drivers. Apparently that was my
downfall (although something probably was already wrong when CanoScan
Toolbox couldn't recognize its scanner). I now have lost my USB
Enhanced Host Controller as well as the plain USB Host Controller
because I uninstalled them.

When I now connect any USB device, Windows says, "The device is not
configured correctly. (Code 1) To reinstall the drivers for thos
device, click Reinstall Drivers." However, its wizard asks to connect
to the Internet to search for appropriate drivers, but later reports,
"Cannot install this hardware. The hardware was not installed because
the wizard cannot find the necessary software."

When I insert the Windows CD and point the wizard to its i386 folder
(containing usb.in, ubehci.sy, usbuhci.sy, and ubstor.in files), it
again reports that it cannot find the necessary software.

Why can't Windows XP-Pro reinstall its USB drivers? How do I get rid
of this new monster and get back the nice notebook I used to love so
much?

.

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