Broken USB ports

[browneyedgir]

There are 4 USB ports on the back of a computer I use at my boyfriends but the bottom 2 have stopped working. Is it as simple as just replacing a circuit board or will he have to buy a new computer? It is the Dell �399 computer that was on sale just over a year ago. Thanks

[Ethel]

There is no need to buy a new pc.

You can buy an external hub which gives extra ports from one - this one will turn one usb port in to 4

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx =3SV5

Or you can replace your existing card with something like this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3 6030&C=Froogle&U=36030&T=Alias&MA=4%20Port%20U SB%20Card

[browneyedgir]

Ethel - thanks for your answer. Will tell boyfriend to buy an external hub. I gather that the extenral hub is plugged into one of the existing working USB ports and then everything can work from there? What is the card you refer to?

[Ethel]

The card replaces the one you already have in the pc - it is called a card for some reason. It is very easy to replace - I did mine earlier this year.

You can see a picture of it in the second link in my first answer.

The external hub does connect to an existing usb port. So if you buy a six port hub, it gives an extra five hubs.

[browneyedgir]

Ethel - thanks very much for your help. Just been into town and bought a 4 way hub. Your advise was very much appreciated

[seachurch]

This is like the problem I have with my front two USBs,but why have they stopped working ? and is there a danger that the remaining working USB at the back gets overloaded ?

[browneyedgir]

Ok this is weird. I havn't done anything at all to the computer but last night the USB ports started working again! Wish I had waited before buying the 4 way hub!

[ACtheTROLL]

Ethel may have missed a more obvious solution ...

Check the connectors feeding your USB ports!
USB headers tend to come in pairs ... so one motherboard connector feeds two USB sockets
(which is what you describe).
With the additional info that they have just spung back to life I think that it is a fair bet that you have a bad connection.

PCs are vibrating all the time they are on ... so a loose connection is always the second thing to check
(after drivers - because they are easiest to access!)
replacement new should always be a last resort.

NEVER blow on an electrical connector to "clean" it spit is a good insulator for low current devices like memory etc.

Your USB hub could still be handy ... sited at the front ... it should be easier to access than the two on the front of your dell

[alfgbt]

( some food for thought )On some motherbords by connecting up the front usb ports it will by default disable 2 of the rear ones.