My USB headset has for months been plugged successfully into a USB extension on my desk and used for Skype. Recently when I plug it in the sound and mic are routed away from the external speakers and mic (the silence from the main speakers tells me that) but I hear nothing in the headset and Skype does not see it. It's doing half a job if you like

If I plug directly into another USB port the same happens except for the port on the front of my PC, which works perfectly.

I can plug other USB peripherals (flash drives) in and they work OK and all my other connected USB stuff works fine too.

Any ideas?

*bump*

not going to help if you "bump" the computer

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ujen_office-rage-videos-6_fun

Have you plugged any new peripherals into your computer lately? You may have run out of bus USB bandwidth…

My experiences of USB soundcards have been less than impressive.

Chuck it in the bin and buy a proper soundcard to plug your headset into…worked for me! 8)

No new peripherals plugged in

It's not plugged into a USB soundcard. It's just plugged direct into the external USB ports on the motherboard at the back of the PC