USB ports function intermittently

Same problem as many others but I've not read a satisfactory 'mend'.
Both my onboard USB ports function when they fancy. I've got a USB pcmcia card that works fine but I also need that slot for a firewire pcmcia card from time to time meaning there's a conflict.
I've tried resetting the PMU as appropriate for my model - I know the button press happened as I had to reset the time and date. But still no joy - although running techtool delux tells me the usb onboards passed data transfer tests.
Has anyone managed to mend their onboard USB ports at all?

Hey, what do you know? Looked at my Apple Hardware test CD and the OS on it was 9.2 so...
I just rebooted into my old OS 9.2 which is possible on the old Titanium beauty. Funny how quickly a desktop once so familiar becomes. I digress.
So the onboard USB ports both functioned perfectly. Mouse lighting up and the keypad I use had the green light on. Both working perfectly.
Then, rebooted back into 10.3.9 without removing the devices and hey presto! Both working under 10.3.9 once more.
Is there any more literature about 10.3 and the onboard USB ports I wonder???
Success in the meantime.

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