To eliminate those cabling problems, a solution used:
Dalco 4 Port USB 2.0 Hub
First, these four USB ports appear on the computer's front panel - easy access. Second, this USB hub requires no AC power connection - nor do you pay for that power brick - because USB is powered directly by computer's power supply. Third, the hub makes one connection to an existing USB port - no motherboard slots are used and no special software configuation needed. Four, since power is from computer, then USB hub need not remain powered when not using computer and need not be separately powered on or off.
Finally, I have always had the best of service from Dalco even when problems were directly traceable to Gateway Computer 'games'.