USB 1.0 vs USB 2.0 shouldn't (in this case) make any difference.
It sounds like the hardware isn't being recognised, and/or the driver(s) not being installed.
Firstly, when you plug the USB device into the laptop, do you hear a two-tone sound from the speakers indicating that the device has been plugged in?
If you do, do the two tones rise, or are they both of the same pitch?
If the former, then the USB device is being recognised OK, but if the latter then there's something wrong with the associated driver for the USB device.
Secondly, go into Control Panel, into Device Manager (you'll find it in "System"), and check whether your list of devices all have + signs against them (i.e. the device tree is closed/unexpanded), or whether one or more items are expanded with a yellow or red icon against them.
If the latter, then investigate that device and the associated driver. FYI a Vista driver is unlikely to work in XP. My best advice would be to select to "uninstall" the relevant device, and then unplug and replug the USB drum kit and deal with driver installation anew.
HTH.