USB Port - Plastic piece inside came out?

[texassprite]

Hopefully somebody can help? We have an old IBM Thinkpad laptop with one USB port...when we unplugged something today, we found the little black piece that's supposed to be connected on one side of the pins had broken off and come out. Is there an easy way to fix this???

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[RebateMonger]

Consider buying a PCMCIA card with USB 2.0 ports built in. You can buy one for $25 or less.

Here's one for $20, shipped.

 

[texassprite]

So here's another stupid question...does this go where my wireless card is or somewhere else?

 

[robisbell]

yes, it means you'll only be able to use one or the other.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: texassprite
So here's another stupid question...does this go where my wireless card is or somewhere else?

Well, many laptops have at least two PCMCIA card slots. But some only have one.

It's POSSIBLE you could repair the socket and epoxy the plastic block back in. This'd be a magnifying-glass-type operation. There's only four conductors to deal with. Since it's a laptop, your options are pretty limited.

 

[texassprite]

Yep, this one has two, one right on top of the other. NEVER realized it. Will look into getting the PCMCIA card, BUT

Since the little black piece shattered when it came out, can it be replaced with a different little black piece (I actually have one from an old dead computer)? I've never done this kind of thing before, but I'm pretty handy... Where do I get/what type of epoxy?

Thanks to everyone for their help so far!

 

[robisbell]

but most cards especially USB and ethernet block the other port.

 

[RebateMonger]

This other Syba card appears to have MUCH better reviews and is the same price as the original one I mentioned.

Those Sybas (and many other PCMCIA USB cards) LOOK like they can be used without blocking access to a second PCMCIA slot. Don't know for sure.

If you are planning to use HIGH POWER USB devices (hard drives without external power), then read the card specs carefully. Most would require a power supply for the high-power device.

 

[texassprite]

Thanks again - I worked with the USB port and the little black piece last night, and I was able to get the port to work if I inserted the black piece correctly.

Couldn't get the black piece to stay in place consistently and eventually broke one of the pins

 

[RadiclDreamer]

The hobby stores usually gave some good glue for use on plastics

 

[texassprite]

Will be trying this card. I'll try to remember to post whether or not they block access to the second slot...

Thanks so much!

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
This other Syba card appears to have MUCH better reviews and is the same price as the original one I mentioned.

Those Sybas (and many other PCMCIA USB cards) LOOK like they can be used without blocking access to a second PCMCIA slot. Don't know for sure.

If you are planning to use HIGH POWER USB devices (hard drives without external power), then read the card specs carefully. Most would require a power supply for the high-power device.