View Full Version : Lappy/USB question.
My #2 lappy lost both USB ports.
By that I mean, they ceased to function.
Device manager does not show a problem.
Worth fixing?
It is an older IBM ThinkPad.
I have a brand new ThinkPad.
So the olde one is just for travel and back-up use.
Thanks.
Probably need more info?
:supergrin:
Sgt. Schultz
01-28-2010, 09:51
Probably need more info?
Have you tried different USB devices?
What kind of devices?
What is the OS?
Things to check ...
... the bios to ensure that onboard usb is enabled.
... power management of USB hub, there is an option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
how many times did you reboot?
how many times did you reboot?
3 times.
Have you tried different USB devices?
What kind of devices?
What is the OS?
Things to check ...
... the bios to ensure that onboard usb is enabled.
... power management of USB hub, there is an option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
yes, wireless mouse, external drives, iPod.
It is XP pro 2002, serice pack 3.
HKUSP45Css
01-28-2010, 12:12
I used to work on a lot of IBM Think pads. T42/3 T60/1/T and, honestly, they were pretty notorious for blowing the power to the internal USB hub. That particular part is soldered on the mainboard. So, provided it's not a silly software issue, device manager looks good, BIOS settings are correct, you have two choices.
You can suck it up and use the laptop without USB or buy a PCMCIA USB card, like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124011&cm_re=PCMCIA_USB-_-15-124-011-_-Product
ETA: you could also replace the motherboard, it ain't exactly rocket surgery. If you're interested tell me the model number of your lappy and I'll find you a deal on the mainboard.
Thank you.
:wavey:
Will look at BIOS.
USB needs to be set to enable?
HKUSP45Css
01-28-2010, 12:53
Thank you.
:wavey:
Will look at BIOS.
USB needs to be set to enable?
Aye, USB to enable in BIOS and check in windows>control panel>system>To make sure the drivers are loaded correctly (they'll have a yellow eclamation if not.
Aye, USB to enable in BIOS and check in windows>control panel>system>To make sure the drivers are loaded correctly (they'll have a yellow eclamation if not.
OK, thanks.
Will do after get back late tonight.
:wavey:
USB enabled.
No yellow or red flags in device manager.
Power is on to USB stuff under properties.
Think I will get that card with USB slots on it as above.
Thanks, you guys are A-1.
:supergrin::wavey:
I'm in a similar situation with my Thinkpad T40p. The 2 usb ports are starting to go bad, getting loose and the external drive I use will disconnect and reconnect randomly. Its kind of frustrating. I bought this laptop a few months ago for $100 and I've already spent almost another $100 to max out the memory and replace the A/B wireless card with an A/B/G card.
Looking at the reviews for the pcmcia card linked to above, it doesn't look stable for using an external drive. Looks like an issue with being able to provide enough power. Just something to keep in mind.
HKUSP45Css, how much for a new board? I've got a model T40p, 2373-G3U.
3 times.
haha. okay good. i love that skit
Before you go buying new hardware or messing with your current hardware, download and install the most recent chipset/USB controller drivers for your computer.
Go to the manufacturer's website and you should see drivers for the chipset and/or USB controller (usually the USB drivers are included in the chipset package).
Uninstall the old chipset/USB drivers and then install the new ones you just downloaded.
If that doesn't work, you could format the drive & reinstall windows - I have an old computer I use for testing purposes & when I got it, most of the USB ports wouldn't work but the whole machine functions perfectly after a clean install of Windows.
Hope this helps. :)
I'm in a similar situation with my Thinkpad T40p. The 2 usb ports are starting to go bad, getting loose and the external drive I use will disconnect and reconnect randomly. Its kind of frustrating. I bought this laptop a few months ago for $100 and I've already spent almost another $100 to max out the memory and replace the A/B wireless card with an A/B/G card.
Looking at the reviews for the pcmcia card linked to above, it doesn't look stable for using an external drive. Looks like an issue with being able to provide enough power. Just something to keep in mind.
HKUSP45Css, how much for a new board? I've got a model T40p, 2373-G3U.
As I advised in my first post here, download the latest chipset/USB controller drivers from your manufacturer's website. Uninstall the old ones first by right-clicking the device in "device manager" and selecting "uninstall."
Reboot the machine, install new drivers. USB should now work.
As I advised in my first post here, download the latest chipset/USB controller drivers from your manufacturer's website. Uninstall the old ones first by right-clicking the device in "device manager" and selecting "uninstall."
Reboot the machine, install new drivers. USB should now work.
Thanks for the idea, but I doubt that would do me any good since I'm running Ubuntu 9.10. I've seen some linux bug reports that might be related to my issue but I'm not certain. I'm really thinking it might be bad connections since the plug doesn't fit nice and snug, just seems to have too much wiggle room.
I used to work on a lot of IBM Think pads. T42/3 T60/1/T and, honestly, they were pretty notorious for blowing the power to the internal USB hub. That particular part is soldered on the mainboard. So, provided it's not a silly software issue, device manager looks good, BIOS settings are correct, you have two choices.
You can suck it up and use the laptop without USB or buy a PCMCIA USB card, like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124011&cm_re=PCMCIA_USB-_-15-124-011-_-Product
ETA: you could also replace the motherboard, it ain't exactly rocket surgery. If you're interested tell me the model number of your lappy and I'll find you a deal on the mainboard.
3 years as a PC Repair Field Tech Admin, and over 2 years as a Network Tech and I completely agree that you blew them on the board. This, IMO is a spot on diag for your problem.
As for it being old, if you are going to replace the Motherboard, might look into upgrading it a little bit as RAM is relatively cheap these days. Granted, in a world where I way most extra spending against what new glock or ammo I can buy...... LOL!
engineer151515
01-29-2010, 19:34
<<< Nothing to add
Just in here for the wavy to Gee
:wavey::wavey::supergrin:
<<< Nothing to add
Just in here for the wavy to Gee
:wavey::wavey::supergrin:
Hey :wavey::wavey:eng!!
Before you go buying new hardware or messing with your current hardware, download and install the most recent chipset/USB controller drivers for your computer.
Go to the manufacturer's website and you should see drivers for the chipset and/or USB controller (usually the USB drivers are included in the chipset package).
Uninstall the old chipset/USB drivers and then install the new ones you just downloaded.
If that doesn't work, you could format the drive & reinstall windows - I have an old computer I use for testing purposes & when I got it, most of the USB ports wouldn't work but the whole machine functions perfectly after a clean install of Windows.
Hope this helps. :)
Can try first part.
Do not want to format drive.
Sorry.
And thanks.
:wavey:
HKUSP45Css
01-30-2010, 15:11
I'm in a similar situation with my Thinkpad T40p. The 2 usb ports are starting to go bad, getting loose and the external drive I use will disconnect and reconnect randomly. Its kind of frustrating. I bought this laptop a few months ago for $100 and I've already spent almost another $100 to max out the memory and replace the A/B wireless card with an A/B/G card.
Looking at the reviews for the pcmcia card linked to above, it doesn't look stable for using an external drive. Looks like an issue with being able to provide enough power. Just something to keep in mind.
HKUSP45Css, how much for a new board? I've got a model T40p, 2373-G3U.
A new mother board is gonna run from 150-650 depending on where you get it. here's one on E-bay for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/93P3304-IBM-SYSTEM-BOARD-FOR-THINKPAD-T40P_W0QQitemZ190318043948QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotherboards?hash=item2c4fd6e32c
You'd be far better off buying the PCMCIA card I quoted earlier. A T40p is a good 5-6 years old, throwing money and time at it may be a case of diminishing returns.
Far be it from me to tell someone not to fix something, if it still does what you want keep it around but, if you've never swapped a mainboard on a laptop before and you're willing to come off 200 bucks on the part why not just throw another c-note on the table and get a new lappy?
Changing the board on a lappy ain't rocket surgery but, it ain't checkers either. Plan on spending a good hour getting the bad one out and another half hour getting the good one in. If you're handy with an iron you may find a good melt, wick and re-solder fixes your problem before you spend any money.
If, however, you're going to spend 30 bucks on a soldering iron, wick and solder you might as well just get the PC card I talked about in my other post, you get firewire for free!
Fixing a 5 year old laptop is only an exercise in frugality. It's important to remember while you're being penny wise you don't end up being pound foolish.
A new mother board is gonna run from 150-650 depending on where you get it. here's one on E-bay for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/93P3304-IBM-SYSTEM-BOARD-FOR-THINKPAD-T40P_W0QQitemZ190318043948QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotherboards?hash=item2c4fd6e32c
You'd be far better off buying the PCMCIA card I quoted earlier. A T40p is a good 5-6 years old, throwing money and time at it may be a case of diminishing returns.
Far be it from me to tell someone not to fix something, if it still does what you want keep it around but, if you've never swapped a mainboard on a laptop before and you're willing to come off 200 bucks on the part why not just throw another c-note on the table and get a new lappy?
Changing the board on a lappy ain't rocket surgery but, it ain't checkers either. Plan on spending a good hour getting the bad one out and another half hour getting the good one in. If you're handy with an iron you may find a good melt, wick and re-solder fixes your problem before you spend any money.
If, however, you're going to spend 30 bucks on a soldering iron, wick and solder you might as well just get the PC card I talked about in my other post, you get firewire for free!
Fixing a 5 year old laptop is only an exercise in frugality. It's important to remember while you're being penny wise you don't end up being pound foolish.
I appreciate your comments, and your right about costs vs. benefits. Changing out the board doesn't scare me as I've built a couple of computers and I've broken this one down enough to replace the wifi card. The price you quoted is a bit more than I'm willing to invest in this old laptop. Thanks again.
Thanks guys!
Replacing board is more than I wish to do on #2 lappy.
As soon as Trooper gets it back to me, I will try the fixes from above.
:wavey::wavey:
hikerpaddler
01-31-2010, 10:12
What the heck is a lappy? A laptop with a rainbow flag on it? Very uncool homespun terminology (goes for "shottie" and "glockie" too). That said, it might be a board or driver issue. I'd take it to a shop, even if it's not new. Then you can decide whether it's worth fixing. Good luck! As more and more laptops/PC have become a regular part of life, it seems like one of mine is always needing service for something or other.
What the heck is a lappy? A laptop with a rainbow flag on it? Very uncool homespun terminology (goes for "shottie" and "glockie" too). That said, it might be a board or driver issue. I'd take it to a shop, even if it's not new. Then you can decide whether it's worth fixing. Good luck! As more and more laptops/PC have become a regular part of life, it seems like one of mine is always needing service for something or other.
:tongueout::rofl:
So un-hip.
You can see past your pelvis.
:wavey:
Yep, both on terminology and best route to get your USB back, hiker has it. Good luck with your laptop G33!
What the heck is a lappy? A laptop with a rainbow flag on it? Very uncool homespun terminology (goes for "shottie" and "glockie" too). That said, it might be a board or driver issue. I'd take it to a shop, even if it's not new. Then you can decide whether it's worth fixing. Good luck! As more and more laptops/PC have become a regular part of life, it seems like one of mine is always needing service for something or other.
$80 to have shop look at it.
And do nothing.
:whistling::tongueout:
That is almost 250 rounds of 5.7x28.
And I can save the cases to reload.
:wow:
HKUSP45Css
02-02-2010, 07:00
Yep, both on terminology and best route to get your USB back, hiker has it. Good luck with your laptop G33!
I disagree with both of your points. Taking the laptop to a shop the wrong way to fix it. Most shops don't actually work "in" lappys they just, sorta, work "on" them.
I can not count the number of times my clients and friends handed me a laptop that one reputable local shop or another told them was irreparable and I handed them the same machine back a day later working, flawlessly.
Shops love to trot out the "yup, must be a bad motherboard" everytime a laptop does something that appears not to be software related. If it isn't installing RAM or swapping a HDD in a laptop local shops (even the normally competent ones) are often clueless.
G33 is getting solid, competent advice here which could, concievably save him a ton of money in exchange for a minor amount of sweat equity.
I'll call the machine in my lap any darn thing I please, thank you. I even call my shotgun a scatter gun and a room broom, cause I can.
Bill Lumberg
02-02-2010, 07:42
+1 hiker and ryobi.
Yep, both on terminology and best route to get your USB back, hiker has it. Good luck with your laptop G33!
I disagree with both of your points. Taking the laptop to a shop the wrong way to fix it. Most shops don't actually work "in" lappys they just, sorta, work "on" them.
I can not count the number of times my clients and friends handed me a laptop that one reputable local shop or another told them was irreparable and I handed them the same machine back a day later working, flawlessly.
Shops love to trot out the "yup, must be a bad motherboard" everytime a laptop does something that appears not to be software related. If it isn't installing RAM or swapping a HDD in a laptop local shops (even the normally competent ones) are often clueless.
G33 is getting solid, competent advice here which could, concievably save him a ton of money in exchange for a minor amount of sweat equity.
I'll call the machine in my lap any darn thing I please, thank you. I even call my shotgun a scatter gun and a room broom, cause I can.
Thank you.
:wavey:
Bump to find suggestions.
P.S. trackball sucks for solitaire game.
:supergrin:
engineer151515
02-04-2010, 10:08
. . . . .
Gee has started a Lappy update thread
Sweet guy you are.
:wavey:
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