usb not mounting when plugged in

[Laura Czajkowski]

When I plug in my usb stick it currently is not displayed so I cannot see it nor can I add items to to.

I have tried 3 USB sticks - none are recognised.

if I plug in an external HD via USB it is powered and connects to the laptop

output of dmesg - http://paste.ubuntu.com/1567105/

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: usbutils 1:005-3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-22.34-generic 3.5.7.2
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-22-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu10
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Jan 24 20:22:56 2013
InstallationDate: Installed on 2011-12-26 (395 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release amd64 (20111012)
MarkForUpload: True
SourcePackage: usbutils
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to quantal on 2012-09-08 (138 days ago)