bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Remember this is coming from the guy who is always breaking the most expensive items, where my cheap items are safe from harm.

I am down to 1 working USB port on the HP laptop I use on location. I really like this laptop for various reasons. I've been told that I can't replace USB ports on a laptop, and it would require a new motherboard which would cost as much as replacing the laptop

#1. My grandson knocked the laptop off the table on more than one occasion while things were plugged in to the USB ports. So, is there a chance that someone really "could" fix the usb ports, or are they really just toast?

#2. I don't use the laptop for any serious editing, but do use it on location. I have the thing loaded with RAM, but it is a few years old, and I'm pretty sure that the RAM wouldn't work on a newer computer. Does anyone know where I could find an older motherboard that would work with my memory? (where I could email them what RAM I have, and they could match up a motherboard?) I can't believe that with as much as I have put into this laptop, that replacing the motherboard would cost as much as a replacement with the same specs.... Am I wrong?

#3. I could continue to use the 1 usb port with an adapter that makes it into 4-5 ports, but I'm fairly certain that slows everything down, and I am nervous about relying on just one USB port, just in case something were to go wrong there too.

So, please, be honest with me. I took a few hits this last year with equipment (other than this one, it was ALL my fault) I really don't want to put another $1000 into a souped up laptop, but I really do need a location computer for how we work events.

HELP!
Thanks
bk

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The painful reality of laptops is that we always have to be ready to replace them on a moments notice. One may last for years and another for only months. It is kind of like paying taxes. You can't avoid it.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

#1 - At the best the USB port may be 'warped' and pressed back into shape. At the worst, the internal structure is broken or the port has come loose from the board. Someone competent at soldering may be able to fix it. It's not hard, but you need to know what you're doing.

#2 - Newer computers typically have an increase in speed, including RAM. The new motherboard may be backwards compatible, but why slow a new computer down. And, the only way to replace a laptop motherboard is one from an identical donor as they are custom built for that one configuration.

Hope this helps. S-

cmc65

And then again , you could learn how to take better care of such important equipment
:cry: :cry: :cry:

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Re #3 Does it really slow it down? Can you use one thing at a time on the USB adapter.

Bite the bullet.

Kuzano

I've been repairing computers 25 years now. Been repairing laptops since Dell introduced the Latitude laptops. At the time I did Dell onsite service for five years. Common fails on laptops......

someone Drops the laptop and jerk the power input cord around... breaks the solder joints on the power jack inside mounted to the mother board...

I have one lady who is on her third dell, because she and her daughter will never remove the cord from the computer when they throw it in their canvas shopping bag they use to transport the laptop. The power cord jack gets jostled around continuously until the solder joints break on the mother board.

Fix... disassemble. Power jack post from eBay.. $5 or less. Take the jack and mother board to electronic shop and pay $25 for them to microsolder the jack to the board. Re assemble. Service manuals available for specific models on the internet.

Same may be true of USB ports.. don't know. Never did one.

Whole mother boards... I buy them used on eBay all the time from High ranked sellers... lots of positive feedback. Have always been able to source new or used mother board for any model. I buy broken laptops and refurb them

Also, you can find very reasonable repair services on eBay for many models of popular brands. Search "repair motherboard (make and model) Their is one fellow who does a power jack repair exclusively on Kindle Fires which were incredibly bad design until they reinforced them. $20 repair including ship back.

I spoke with him, and he makes a tidy income just on that one repair. Amazon sold thousands of bad Kindles before the jack was strengthened.

Regarding USB external hubs... Won't slow down any devices using a 4 port hub. If you are concerned about that, don't use passive hubs... Get a powered 4 port hub that uses an electric wall adaptor to power the hub.

Hardly any laptop is truly toast. Your laptop is eminently fixable. As I said, service manuals are available for most and the labor intensive (costly part if you have a shop do it) part is the disassembly and reassembly.

I buy laptops on CL and eBay that have the power jack problem and refurb them for about $30 in parts.. ALL the time. I do 2 or 3 a month. It's the most common fail point.

Frankly your hub problem is unique and would require an identical board from the same model (often available used).

Repair if you do the labor yourself.. probably around $100, even if you buy new motherboards from eBay sellers with good standing. Most are shipped from Hong Kong and China where most machines are built.

ggttc Loc: TN

the multi-USB port adapter will slow the computer down, but it's not anything you will be able to time with a stopwatch.

Having been in a similar situation a while ago my advice would be to find a local independent tech and have him take a look. I'm not talking about the geek squad, but someone who has been around for a while and works out of his basement. They will probably charge you 30 or $40 to crack the case on the laptop and take a look. I made the mistake of taking my computer to Best Buy and the estimate to fix it came back at $450. I took it to a local guy who charged me $35 to open the computer and $12 to solder a loose connection.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

BK,

What you have been told about repairing the laptop has been a very complex reply boiled down to a few simple realistic facts.
1. The USB ports can be replaced, but the cost of labor, research time to locate the correct ports, and final test and alignment would be more than the value of a newer laptop.
2. Your old laptop may be using USB v1 technology; the new models are up to USB v3.
3. Suppose you do find a Mother Board with the correct placement of the USB ports, and all the other ports found around the Mother Board (important for form – fit – function between Mother Board and external case), who is going to install, connect, and final test the new board?
4. Here are some resources you can check with online and by phone.
a. Fry’s Electronics (Nationwide and located in major cities) http://www.frys.com/
b. Tiger Direct (nationwide) http://www.tigerdirect.com/
5. An option to look at is; looking for a refurbished late model laptop, one you can add more memory to bring it up to modern standards.
6. Mother Boards come stripped of all accessories, so…
a. What CPU will you add to the mix?
b. Will the sound, video, and other components fit and perform?
c. You may have to purchase all of these in addition to the main board.
d. Who will modify the external case for all the plugs and external equipment that you require?
7. Take a look at this one, http://dellrefurbished.com/laptops, there are others to look at, this will get you started.

Michael G

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Okay, it's an HP that is "a few years old". How can anyone give you an answer???

Rather than even try, why not look to see what replacing it would actually cost. How much RAM? (2x what you have now if your old one is a 32 bit OS, because what you want is a 64 bit OS.) How much disk space? And how many USB ports do you normally use? Just make sure there are at least that many, and make sure that at least one is a USB 3.0, though USB 2.0 is fine for things like a keyboard, a mouse, and other already very slow devices. For external storage or anything else that moves data, you want a USB 3.0 port.

If "a few years" is more than 3 or 4, you'll be astounded at what you can get now.

I did a quickie look on eBay and noted a few things about two laptops for sale. I did not search much, so you might find several better deals, or not. An HP Pavilion that sells for $500 has a 17.3" screen, 8 GB of RAM (maxed out though), a 1 TB drive, 2 USB3.0 ports and 1 USB2.0 port. A Toshiba Satellite with a 17.3" screen, a 750GB drive, 8 GB of RAM (can take 16GB max), 1 USB3.0 and 2 USB2.0 ports sells for $330.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

Those adapters that have a power supply work good.

BlokeOzz Loc: Morphett Vale South Australia

USB ports can be rpelaced, my Daughter had the same problem, old USB's were unsoldered, and replaced with New ones, much cheaper than a new Laptop OK

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Replacing he USB ports might be "do-able" - ask your local computer shop. As long as you have one functional USB port you can buy a USB hub so that you can use more than one USB device at a time:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3948476&CatId=11652

You can buy a very good off-lease laptop for about $300 at tigerdirect.com (they come with a 1-year warrantee) - if you have expensive software on the old laptop you could have your local tech repair service clone your old laptop to the new one. Otherwise, time for a replacement!

zigipha Loc: north nj

depending on your usb peripherals
1. you can replace them with bluetooth versions and have a bluetooth adapter in the usb hub. no more worries about jerking a cable; duct tape that thing in and never remove it
2. use a wifi usb hub (uses wifi to connect to the usb hub.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wow, thanks to all. Great info. Few years old makes it sound older than it is. Maybe 2 years old? It is a I-7 (or whatever it is called) processor, 64 bit, with 16 gb of ram. Newer may be faster, but doubting it is cheap.

I do like the idea of the off lease at tigerdirect with a warranty. (Thanks SB for the suggestion) also maybe the Toshiba on Ebay (Thanks Apaflo)

I don't think I'll attempt a repair myself, but knowing that blokeoz had someone replace usb ports is promising.

Lastly, to CRM65. I know you weren't trying to be mean, but until you've had an enthusiastic 8 year old Autistic grandson in your life, who is faster than a speeding bullet, you really don't know how much easier it is to say "take better care of your stuff," than to actually do it.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

For electronic parts, check out NewEgg.com. their prices are competitive and service is fantastic. Shipping usually comes faster than the level you paid for. Also, Tiger-Direct.com is another source for parts.

Newegg's return policy is great and I've always been pleased with my dealings with them.