USB Help

[RalliArt3kGT]

I've got a Compaq Presario 2100 Laptop and I managed to mess up both USB ports in the back, so they no longer work. So my sister came home from college for winter break and I had her bring her PCMCIA USB card home with her and I put it in and plugged in my iPod cable into it, and it freezes up my computer and then gives me a USB port power overload message. So, is it just the cheapo eBay PCM card, or will no PCM USB cards work with my iPod. I don't really want to have to replace the USB ports in the computer, but if I have to I guess I'll just have to. Would that be something I could do on my own or would I have to bring it somewhere and get it done? Thanks for the help.

[l_eclipse_l]

How exactly did you screw up the original USB ports?

Did you install the PCMCIA card properly? Usually those things require certain drivers to work if your not running Windows XP. What OS are you running? Did you try plugging something else into the port besides your Ipod?

[RalliArt3kGT]

Well, I'm not entirely sure when/how I messed it up, but since I've had the computer the prongs on one port folded in half and the other one just kind of got fubar'edand quit working on me...basically I'm a retard.
As for the PCM card, I've unistalled and reinstalled it a few times, so I would hope that at least one of those times I would have gotten it right. I haven't tried plugging anything else into it, I don't really have anything else that uses a USB, I guess you could say I'm pretty low-tech like that. Oh yeah, I'm running XP for my OS.

[bjboertje]

Originally Posted by RalliArt3kGT

...basically I'm a retard.

[RalliArt3kGT]

anyone else got any ideas?

[Oz]

Try deleting all the USB root hub drivers in Device Manager and rebooting.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by RalliArt3kGT

it freezes up my computer and then gives me a USB port power overload message.

Sounds like you shorted out the USB ports when the one folded over. I've seen it happen on the Sony's. If that's the case no USB devices will work until you get that fixed. It's a part of the mainboard so you might be able to solder a new one in or disable it by scratching out the lands going to it.

You might also disable the onboard USB in CMOS which would allow you to use the PCMCIA card. Maybe. Good luck.

[RalliArt3kGT]

Try deleting all the USB root hub drivers in Device Manager and rebooting.

Did this, the one USB in the back that is less broke than the other one recognized a USB device was attached, but then froze up and wouldn't do anything until I unplugged my iPod. So it sounds to me like this is what happened

Sounds like you shorted out the USB ports when the one folded over. I've seen it happen on the Sony's. If that's the case no USB devices will work until you get that fixed. It's a part of the mainboard so you might be able to solder a new one in or disable it by scratching out the lands going to it.

You might also disable the onboard USB in CMOS which would allow you to use the PCMCIA card. Maybe. Good luck.

Only problem is most of that is over my head, soldering and scratching stuff out on the mainboard...I'll pass. Looks like my computer's goin in for a repair job after the holidays.

[l_eclipse_l]

Originally Posted by RalliArt3kGT

Looks like my computer's goin in for a repair job after the holidays.

From the sounds of it, you might just as well buy a new, cheap computer. It's not gonna be worth it after some shop charges you $75/hour plus parts.