Notebooks My girlfriend managed to destroy both of her USB ports!

Hi,

So she comes running to me today and shows me that both of her USB on her laptop have been completely destroyed, I mean one is just an empty hole and the other looks like it had been raped by a screw driver! She has no idea how this happened.

The Laptop in question is made by either Acer or Advent (I don't have it with me now) and it doesn't have any expansion slots so a USB card is out of the question. The only other connections are the Ethernet socket and the SD card slot.

I really dont want to open it up and solder new USB headers in if I can help it but does anyone know how to connect a USB device to one of the other connections?

I have showed her how to connect the laptop to her home network and access the USB port of another computer which is fine but isn't going to be a possibility on the move.

I have also considered a USB network hub but these require mains power and probably a router?

Any help would be great, thanks.

 

So, both of her ports have been destroyed, one of them is just an empty hole?

Sorry, but with my perverted sense of humour, this thread really is open for some dirty abuse.

 

Yea it was pretty intentional, witty titles grab peoples attention

Seriously though, any ideas?

 

I guess the easiest method would be to use the sd card as an ad-hoc memory stick. Its a bit of a rubbish solution since aside from laptops you dont see too many sd readers knocking about. Or maybe, if she doesnt already have a router, use a crossover cable to connect the laptop to another computer and use the USB ports on there.

EDIT: Just done a search and found these, no idea if they work as i've never seen them before http://www.amazon.co.uk/Female-Male-Ethernet-Connector-Adaptor/dp/B000MHO3Q8/ref=dp_cp_ob_ce_image_1

 

I'd be wondering how she managed to damage the laptop so badly. I mean it doesn't just "happen".

 

I'd open it up and solder it back together, while it's open I would clean out the heatsinks too.
Just my 2 cents

 

THIS

 

Does it have an express card slot? I know they make express card thingies that give you extra ports like USB 2.0, 3.0, eSata..........

 

I like cromes idea.. but it doesn't look like it provides power like a usb port

it's really not that complicated to solder parts back into a laptop.. why is one of them a hole and the other one burned up- it sounds bad

 

I never knew these existed, thanks. Not sure if it would function as a regular USB port and it wouldn't provide the 5v needed for powered devices.

Turns out she lent the laptop to her little brother to play Runescape... and somehow it came back in that state

The laptop has no expansion slots.

It looks like the one has just become detached and fallen out, or inside the laptop itself. The one is still intact but it looks as if its been stabbed several times with a sharp object. I guess im just going to have to crack it open, I will post back with pics soon.

 

Also something like this could do as well:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Sharkoon-LanPort-400-Add-upto-4-USB-devices-to-your-Wired-Network - although it is a bit more then the other device mentioned.

 

Make sure little brother pays for any repairs- either with pocket money, or a firm clip round the ear.

 

You'd think after scrapping one USB socket they'd look after the other remaining one!

 

no serial port?

EDIT: nvm - i've seen serial to usb adapters but can't find one the other way round

 

The first link won't work as a USB port (it's simply a converter - if you plug in a USB device, it won't know what's going on.)

But this davidm's device WILL work:

Unfortunately, you would probably need a switch or something to use it. Either that or connect the laptop to the internet via wireless so the wired port isn't used, and just run a DHCP server on the laptop for that port.

 

those usb a to male ethernet, are not for connecting usb devices to the ethernet port of a computer, but rather to be able to connect a usb device over a longer distance via ethernet cable, to another ethernet to usb adaptor.

replacing the sockets would be the best bet. if you can get them, be careful, because some are reversed(solder above, or below the main board) which means you could incorrectly power the usb devices. i would send it to a specialist repair centre to have it done properly.

if that much damage has been done to the sockets, there is a good chance the usb controller circuits could also be damaged.

sterkenburg has found a solution that will work for existing networks