I Broke My USB Port..

[Woah]

Hi, this may sound a little dumb. (Well, it is dumb) It also doesn't have anything to do with an Astral Projection forum, but...

I broke my USB Port. Both ports.
I was leaning on the back two legs of my chair, my mp3 player was plugged in, and I dropped the chair down onto its front legs.
The leg crushed the cable, which I think snapped something in the port.
I smelled smoke, and it wasn't very good.
I still don't know if the port I wasn't using was broken initially, but I know I at least made it worse, if not broke it by messing with it, trying to fix it. A piece of black plastic snapped out.
I realized after 20 minutes of tinkering that a piece of plastic is stuck in the usb cable.

So now, both ports and my cable are broken.
I think I can get a replacement cable easily, but is there any way I can get the port itself fixed for cheap? Without sending anything away, or buying online?
I don't know how to fix it myself.

Thanks.

[no_leaf_clover]

I think I can get a replacement cable easily, but is there any way I can get the port itself fixed for cheap? Without sending anything away, or buying online?

It depends on what you've done. It would probably be a HUGE pain to fix the stuff yourself. For the USB ports, smelling smoke probably isn't the best sign, lol. For the cable, no idea what you did to it, but I wouldn't be surprised if you'd have to strip it and replace the actual connector, but I'm not sure how those things wire or even what the conductors are, whether a single wire or different wires coupled or what. And I don't even know if they really sell that stuff.

They probably just make them all at once and when you break you, you just buy another. And I think that would be easiest. Shouldn't cost that much. Just be careful with anybody telling you you have to replace something major.


PS - What kind of cable is it? Can you cut the connector off of the end that you think is broke and see what's in the insulation?

[Arn de Gothia]

Well, my PS/2 ports broke recently, u can survive without usb ports. But when the PS/2 ports are gone u can't access BIOS wich means u cant do a clean install = u'r bonked. I have to buy a new mainboard

[Woah]

It depends on what you've done. It would probably be a HUGE pain to fix the stuff yourself. For the USB ports, smelling smoke probably isn't the best sign, lol. For the cable, no idea what you did to it, but I wouldn't be surprised if you'd have to strip it and replace the actual connector, but I'm not sure how those things wire or even what the conductors are, whether a single wire or different wires coupled or what. And I don't even know if they really sell that stuff.

They probably just make them all at once and when you break you, you just buy another. And I think that would be easiest. Shouldn't cost that much. Just be careful with anybody telling you you have to replace something major.


PS - What kind of cable is it? Can you cut the connector off of the end that you think is broke and see what's in the insulation?

Thanks for the advice.
It's just a regular USB cable as far as I know.
There's a piece of plastic lodged in the connector, I can see it. Can't get it out though.
So if I buy a new USB port, do you think I could just (fairly) easily take out the other one and replace it with the new one?

[no_leaf_clover]

As long as you get the right part, it shouldn't be too hard. Stuff fits together pretty straightforwardly anymore, not like anyone has to solder anymore or things like that. I'd check around a little though, since you smelling something burning, just to make sure you won't have to replace anymore wires or anything.

Have you called up any tech support yet? They might be able to tell you exactly what it is you'll probably need to do.

[Woah]

As long as you get the right part, it shouldn't be too hard. Stuff fits together pretty straightforwardly anymore, not like anyone has to solder anymore or things like that. I'd check around a little though, since you smelling something burning, just to make sure you won't have to replace anymore wires or anything.

Have you called up any tech support yet? They might be able to tell you exactly what it is you'll probably need to do.

Okay, thanks.
I'll call them tomorrow, I think they're closed for the night.
I'm also getting my computer wiped, so maybe I'll wait until then, and ask BestBuy if they can replace the USB Port as well.

[The Present Moment]

You should be able to buy a PCI card with USB ports fairly cheaply. Try newegg.com.