Can a broken Laptop USB port be fixed.

[The Stigenator]

Vanny's dell (its a CPi-R400GT) that i gave her when i got my gateway has a unique problem.

USB ports have 4 pins, and they are along side a plastic bit of insulator. The laptop has a black colored one on one side of the pints. Connecting USB connectors have 4 pints with a plastic on the other side to complete the connection.

Well the plastic peice on the laptop is missing. Any way to fix this? Wondering if one can unhook the USB port and resolder a new one or something.


i want to get it fixed. Her UCSB computer repair service said they cant do it. Try compusa or bestbuy, which i believe wont be able to either. Other option is to send it to dell, but it may not be worth it.

 

[MDE]

I'd get a USB 2.0\FireWire combo PCMCIA card and just not use the broken port. It's probably not worth the cost or the time without the laptop to get it fixed.

 

[Zepper]

You can get the PCB mounted USB sockets and remove (desolder) the current one and replace. But it will likely be a PITA to do manually as the shell of the socket may be soldered to the ground plane in several spots and you may have to hunt to find a direct replacement. Takes good technique with a soldering iron to do w/o damaging anything else. Perhaps the PC Card idea (above) would be the easiest. Just disable the on-board ones...
.bh.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: MDE
I'd get a USB 2.0\FireWire combo PCMCIA card and just not use the broken port. It's probably not worth the cost or the time without the laptop to get it fixed.

should have mentioned.. the damn PCMCIA port is busted.. that's why she has been using the USB.

I guess i should look for a cheap laptop and get her one.

Edit: the PCMCIA port shorted out a long time back.. dont ask me how.. but it did.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zepper
You can get the PCB mounted USB sockets and remove (desolder) the current one and replace. But it will likely be a PITA to do manually as the shell of the socket may be soldered to the ground plane in several spots and you may have to hunt to find a direct replacement. Takes good technique with a soldering iron to do w/o damaging anything else. Perhaps the PC Card idea (above) would be the easiest. Just disable the on-board ones...
.bh.

if you are good at soldering . . .

my Dell Inspiron 4100 USB got fixed this way at a local repair shop (VISA's extended warranty paid for it and i sold it to the repairman)

NEVER a Dell again - ever 4 me.

just about everything that can break - did

:roll:

but they can be fixed

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Zepper
You can get the PCB mounted USB sockets and remove (desolder) the current one and replace. But it will likely be a PITA to do manually as the shell of the socket may be soldered to the ground plane in several spots and you may have to hunt to find a direct replacement. Takes good technique with a soldering iron to do w/o damaging anything else. Perhaps the PC Card idea (above) would be the easiest. Just disable the on-board ones...
.bh.

if you are good at soldering . . .

my Dell Inspiron 4100 USB got fixed this way at a local repair shop (VISA's extended warranty paid for it and i sold it to the repairman)

NEVER a Dell again - ever 4 me.

just about everything that can break - did

:roll:

but they can be fixed

well im pretty decent in soldering. I can do it if need be. I will have to take it apart see what's needed, go to fry's and pick up the parts.. or go to fry's and pick up the needed parts.

Ya I have to agree, never again dell.. too many issues.. their desktops are fine, their laptops are lousy. I will take my gateway anyday.