USB ports dead

V4NT0M · 16 Dec 2008 at 11:25

Hey peoples, my old laptop, an Advent is having a bad time, the USB ports seem to have died on it. It was working fine, sold it to my friend and it's just gone downhill from there. When something is plugged in Windows recognises something is there but comes up with "this device was not recognised" and nothing else happens.

Have tried different drivers, re-installing windows (destructive recovery) plugging in a powered hub, but it just seems like the hardware is conking out, can't be any older than 2 years now though.

Anyone got any tips I may not have thought of to try and get it back on it's legs?

TheStarkFactor · 16 Dec 2008 at 12:28

Hi Guys.

I'm the friend who bought the laptop, any help with this one is appreciated!

beermonster · 16 Dec 2008 at 18:41

usually only a replacement mainboard will solve this, so not a cheap fix.

chuck990 · 16 Dec 2008 at 20:39

is it under warranty (sorry for the stupid question but it's worth asking dispite looking dumb)

beermonster · 16 Dec 2008 at 23:24

op says its over 2 year so doubt it has manufacturers warranty, cheapest way arround would be to buy a pc card usb interface.

chuck990 · 17 Dec 2008 at 10:22

if it's out of warranty, if your careful you can take it apart without damaging anything and check if there's anything obvious, occasionaly a large buildup of dust can cause problems, it's unlikely but a clean could help!

V4NT0M · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:12

Yes it is out of warranty, might have a look inside, it has seen a lot of use so dust could be a problem I guess, depends if he's ok with taking it apart. Just obviously not much else to do, it's either expensive repair or lose out on selling it because the ports don't work.

Thanks for the input

sswats · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:14

PCMCIA USB card if all else fails/

chuck990 · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:18

dont get your hopes up on the dust issue it's not common

TheStarkFactor · 22 Dec 2008 at 13:41

No PCMCIA slot on the laptop so that's that idea out of the window.

Looks like I will have to grit it out until I can afford a new one!

Tosk · 22 Dec 2008 at 14:56

have you checked the bios to see if usb is on or off?

just an idea any how, but maybe give it a look, tho most laptop bios's are
so basic.

maybe a bios reset might fix it as well

beermonster · 22 Dec 2008 at 16:58

Tosk said:
have you checked the bios to see if usb is on or off?

just an idea any how, but maybe give it a look, tho most laptop bios's are
so basic.

maybe a bios reset might fix it as well

If windows is finding the device but not recognising it then they are turned on. Its common for the ports to get knocked and short out the controller this is the symptoms its showing.

If no expansion then its mainboard unfortunately.