USB storage devices not working, likewise internal SD card reader

My 4 year old USB connected Maxtor external hard drive stopped working so I bought a new one. It didn't work either. I tried a USB flash drive. It didn't work. When I connect my DSLR camera by USB it works as normal. I can see all files in its folder on the PC. But when I take the SD card out of the camera and put it into the internal SD card reader it's not visible. With help from the Experts-Exchange expert garycase I downloaded Knoppix, burned it to CD and booted from it. When I opened the only folder on the Knoppix desktop I could see the old external hard drive and all its contents. And when I disconnected it and connected my new external hard drive I could see it too. The conclusion is this is not a hardware problem. Here is what garycase said:

"Well ... what that proves is that it is NOT a hardware issue ... but some strange configuration issue in Windows 8.   I'd ask a new question in the Windows 8 section ... I'll add a comment or two; but others may have more direct experience with this issue and Windows 8 -- a new question will get their attention.

One thing that COULD be an issue is a corrupted USB stack.   I'm not sure how to reset this in Windows 8 ... but one thing you should do is go to Device Manager; expand the "Disk Drives" and for EVERY device that's listed with an "HS- ..."  and shows a yellow mark right-click and Uninstall it.    Then reboot and see if this clears the problem."

I have done this but the situation remains the same. Any suggestions please?