no USB 2.0 means my T40 is gonna die soon?

[erozsolt]

I have just run out of warranty and my USB started working only in 1.1 mode. As I found on google, it means that it's a problem in the Southbridge and it can cause total death for the mainboard sooner or later. Is that really serious? And if I start to use a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card can it stop things happening wrong?

[yeohkt]

[quote="erozsolt"]I have just run out of warranty and my USB started working only in 1.1 mode. As I found on google, it means that it's a problem in the Southbridge and it can cause total death for the mainboard sooner or later. Is that really serious? And if I start to use a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card can it stop things happening wrong?[/quote]

In T40 it is obvious USB are very sensative to static, its bad when so many people have encounter the problem with or worst out of warranty.

Worst still, the problem occur in T41, T42 and lesser in T43

Only solution is pcmcia card USB or USB hub with Static protection.

No other solution but there are expensive ways where in asia there are people who could solder a new and better southbridge.

No idea on modifications to current board to make it more resistant.

[yeohkt]

did a bit of research, certain pcmcia usb card which has better chip would be useful in protecting, docking station does not protect.

most common way is to link to a powered usb hub.

[ludox]

Wow, could you answer to his question about the motherboard death because of this chip ?

[yeohkt]

board would not die after the southbridge being burnt. will still work just only with usb 1.1

some pcmcia would work but cheaper ones would not. does not affect the board but will give u usb 2.0 transfer rate

[erozsolt]

Do you say that it will work for a long time, but without USB 2.0? Isn't Southbridge going to burn out slowly? Is it possible to use a laptop without Southbridge? Isn't SB a must for Infrared, WLAN, touchpad, etc.?

[yeohkt]

i have heard people has being using T4x for some time w/o usb2.0

something to do with usb controller chip being "burn" by static.

[venro]

I use T40 without usb 2.0. Besides that this is very annoying, my t40 work for couple of months now (since 2.0 died, it was a beautiful sunny day blabla...) and it's still fast, stable etc. No problems.

www.thinkwiki.org are saying that southbridge could fry, but i didn't hear any incidents.
( http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_with_USB_2.0 )