I have a laptop with damaged USB ports. I want to get on the internet by using a Broadband Dongle that goes into the USB ports. As these are both damaged can I buy them as a genereic USB port as an item on there own and solder them inplace to fix them. My other option is to use a PCMCIA Card. Can a PCMCIA USB Card just slot in and load the drivers to fix the problem that I have, and then plug the dongle in to get the internet. I have seen the PCMCIA card on ebay and the seem to have a power connection. What would this power cord be used for, is it for powering an external item. scott
What do you mean by "damaged"? Physically damaged? If they are physically damaged you might have a <1% chance of finding replacement parts. If the chip is damaged you have a 0% chance. If the USB ports are not working, then putting a USB PCMCIA card will do nothing to "fix" the bad ports. The power cord is used in case you plug USB devices that require addl. power.
if physically damaged then laptop has to be taken apart to get at motherboard to unsolder the ports & solder the replacement ports. could also be blown usb fuse on motherboard or blown circuitry for usb ports. more info needed.
to me, a MUCH simpler (and cheaper) solution...just get yourself a USB hub. they make little tiny ones for laptops. turn your remaining working ports into three or four.
I think that he has no working USB ports to connect a hub to. There are several distributors online that sell replacement PC-mount USb connectors. Should be a cheap fix if you are brave enough to try soldering them in yourself.
killer, depends on whether they as surface mounted & thru hole. also depends on laroc's soldering experience. will still have to take laptop apart before replacing the ports.
