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Melissa G

(10,170 posts)
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 02:44 PM Jun 2012

Blown and inacessible ports

Last edited Sun Jun 3, 2012, 08:40 AM - Edit history (1)

One of my used computers has about 4 USB ports in the front that are not accessible. They have been squished back somehow and the plastic front gets in the way. Also the round ports for the key board and monitor in the back recently blew, so I had to go buy a keyboard and mouse that had USB connections and now I am short ports.

Questions:
Can I un squish the front ports? If so, how?

Can I un fry or replace the damaged back ports? I did hear about extender plugs that you can plug in for extra ports. I'll probably get those on Monday.

Thanks in advance for all the generous help and brilliance around here!

Best,
Melissa



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Warpy

(110,903 posts)
8. A powered USB hub was my best purchase so far
Sun Jun 3, 2012, 07:09 PM
Jun 2012

I can swap boxes back and forth now with just one USB plug. Even the monitor connects through that thing. No more fishing cables.

As for the cables on your machine, if you're capable of opening it up and making sure the contacts are still secure, chances are you can push them out a bit to make them usable. As long as you keep one hand on the chassis and don't zap your motherboard, it's worth a try and you won't be any worse off than you are now.

CK_John

(10,005 posts)
5. Check for user guide for your make and model on acer or google, ports maybe just pushed in.
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 08:10 PM
Jun 2012

Rough handling and maybe able to reposition.

If not here are some replacement between 10-30$ you can find at WallyWorld.

You will need at least 1 working port to add on a hub. An unpowered hub will support a keyboard/mouse.
A powered hub may be needed for external dvd/ flash drives, etc.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=usb%20hub&_tt=usb%20hu

Word of caution: USB 3.0 has been accepted and will showup soon in future machines, but current machines are USB 2.0 and don't have software to support 3.0.

Melissa G

(10,170 posts)
6. Is there a trick to repositioning?
Sat Jun 2, 2012, 11:43 PM
Jun 2012

Warning: extreme novice.

>>>An unpowered hub will support a keyboard/mouse.

Okay, but that blown port was registering weirdness like all the keys in the keyboard being messed with or so said my friend's friend who looked at it. The fix for the non working computer was to get away from the mouse and keyboard ports and all was good again.

CK_John

(10,005 posts)
7. More nfo about what hardware we are dealing with is needed. Give
Sun Jun 3, 2012, 11:51 AM
Jun 2012

make(Acer) and model. There should be usb ports on the back of this PC(is it a pc or a laptop).

I'm not sure if we are talking about(damaged port) on the front or back of this machine.

Melissa G

(10,170 posts)
9. The damaged ports are in the back
Sun Jun 3, 2012, 08:14 PM
Jun 2012

where the mouse and keyboard plugged in. They seem to have shorted out or something- but when they are not in use the computer works, plugged in it seems like they are getting giving weird signals to the hard drive. Those were round plug types

The 4 USB ports in front cannot be accessed 'cuz they a just a bit too far back to get a good connection. and the plastic front plate is in the way. Computer is at work and I am at home, so I'm sorry I don't have access to the model right now. It is a PC.

CK_John

(10,005 posts)
12. Here is your specs manual it shows 4 usb ports on the back and could replace
Mon Jun 4, 2012, 09:02 PM
Jun 2012

the ones in the front(except for convenience).

You can go into device manager and see if the usb ports in the front have a red x or yellow exclamation on them. Disable them and reboot, if they are not physically damaged Wins should reinstall them. Then have someone remove the cover and try to reset or remove the plastic cover. ( Be sure to unplug power before opening cover)

Good luck.

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/0000/Acer/AspireX1700/AspireX1700sp2.shtml

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