PS3 controller wont turn on or charge?

Had a problem for a few days. my 5 month old dualshock 3 controller won't work anymore.. at first it wouldn't turn on (I left my PS3 on, the battery must have died) but after hitting the reset switch and plugging it back in, it worked with the USB but wouldn't charge. I removed the USB and tried it without but after a few minutes it died again, but this time wouldn't reset/work with the USB.

I've tried resetting it, removing the battery and putting it back in, even put it in the freezer for a minute to see if it would give off enough power to work with the USB again. tried charging it in my laptop + wall charger, no luck. I assumed it was the cable, but have tried 3 others to no avail. I borrowed another old controller from a friend but weirdly this isn't working either with any of the USBs, same deal as my controller, however he did say it has been sitting in the drawer for months unused so could also be broken.

it's left me really confused as to weather it's the controllers, USBs or PS3. though the PS3 is/has been working as normal. i'm unable to visit a friend with a PS3 for atleast a week so trying his USB/PS3 with the controllers is out the question and don't want to fork out for a new controller

any help appreciated, maybe even a small money reward. thanks.