usb ports worn out?

[xavier]

I have a Gateway M505 B2 notebook (out of warranty) with dodgy ports. This
model has 1 in the rear and 2 on the right side. The rear stopped working a
year ago and the last of the side ports just quit. I believe it is just a
matter of solid contact with the 4 wire contacts. There has been a lot of
use over the last 3 years and I have renewed the controllers and drivers
enough to feel confident that this is the problem. Is it possible to repair
these female receptacles?

 

[smlunatick]

I have a Gateway M505 B2 notebook (out of warranty) with dodgy ports. This
model has 1 in the rear and 2 on the right side. The rear stopped working a
year ago and the last of the side ports just quit. I believe it is just a
matter of solid contact with the 4 wire contacts. There has been a lot of
use over the last 3 years and I have renewed the controllers and drivers
enough to feel confident that this is the problem. Is it possible to repair
these female receptacles?

Like with most laptops, the ports are "physically" built-in on the
motherboard. Unless you can locate a repair shop to do the manual
"desoldering" and "resoldering" of the replacement USB ports, the
chances of replacing them are "slim."

 

[JS]

You could try a Qtip dipped in 90% isopropyl alcohol and try cleaning the
contacts (With power off).

JS

 

[Curt Christianson]

Hi xavier,

You can try cleaning the contacts as another has advised. It's very
possible that the USB sockets just plain wore out with use, and need to be
replaced. Being a notebook, I wouldn't recommend you trying to replace the
sockets yourself. You might find a computer shop locally that can do that
kind of repair. If not, return it to Gateway for service--after all, they
made it, and know it best. Try to get an estimate before they start work.
Notebooks can be fairly expensive to repair.

If you decide to return it to Gateway, this link has some information:

http://support.gateway.com/s/faq/c-custserv/cserv67.shtml

If it is cost prohibitive, don't throw it away--you can always send it to me
for parts!

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

|I have a Gateway M505 B2 notebook (out of warranty) with dodgy ports. This
| model has 1 in the rear and 2 on the right side. The rear stopped working
a
| year ago and the last of the side ports just quit. I believe it is just a
| matter of solid contact with the 4 wire contacts. There has been a lot of
| use over the last 3 years and I have renewed the controllers and drivers
| enough to feel confident that this is the problem. Is it possible to
repair
| these female receptacles?
|
|

 

[BigJim]

usb pcmcia card

 

[xavier]

well....all else failed, so the pcmcia card is on the way from NewEgg.
gotta keep this lapper going a little longer.
Thanks for the responses. "OldJim" aka Xavier

usb pcmcia card

snip....

 

[slautterback]

OK here's what you do... get some shim stock, or fold a piece of paper board, something like a match book cover material into a small flat piece with a pointed
end.
Place the flat piece along the left side of the port plug with the pointed end
aimed at the port inlet and push together the flat piece and the plug together.
This will make a tight fit once again, and you will back in business.
If the piece you made won't fit, make another but thiner , you may need to try
a couple of times but when its working again, it will be worth it.