Thinkpads Forum

I think I have a problem. Tried plugging in headphones to the headphone jack in my T420s. It was dark, so I “plugged” it in to the USB post right nest to it. There was a spark. Now, USB stick plugged into it is not being detected.

I am guessing it it burnt. What can I do about it?

You probably broke the plastic fin inside the port.
If so, take it out and check that none of the 4 contacts in there touch each other.
Once "free", the other USB port should work again.

No, no. Other USB ports worked fine. And I was SURE I did not break anything inside the port physically. But I took a look now, and low and behold, the plastic "fin" is missing. I do not know if it was there before, abd I can't see it anywhere on the desk. BUT one of the metal contacts was bent away form contacts in a USB stick (when inserted) and once it was bent back, the USB port works again. However, it is missing the fin and therefore the contacts are prone to damage each time something is plugged into it.

Is this fin replaceable?

Or... T420s does NOT come with a fin in this particular USB port. Here's why I think it might be so:
1. I used very little force when probing for a whole with the headphone jack. Certainly not enough to brake a plastic fin. I also did not hear nor feel any breaking action occur.
2. I looked inside the port and there does not seem to be any trace of broken surface.
3. I looked around the empty desk on which this occured, and no broke fin laying around could be found.

Can someone verify whether there is a fin in the USB port next to the headphone jack in T420s?

Lockheed wrote:Or... T420s does NOT come with a fin in this particular USB port. Here's why I think it might be so:
1. I used very little force when probing for a whole with the headphone jack. Certainly not enough to brake a plastic fin. I also did not hear nor feel any breaking action occur.
2. I looked inside the port and there does not seem to be any trace of broken surface.
3. I looked around the empty desk on which this occured, and no broke fin laying around could be found.

Can someone verify whether there is a fin in the USB port next to the headphone jack in T420s?

Judging by this picture, yes:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/ ... ce2f54.jpg

brchan wrote:Judging by this picture, yes:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/ ... ce2f54.jpg

Bummer. So how would one go about restoring it?

I'd say break off the 4 pins that are left in the damage port.
I've bought parts laptops that do not work because there is a broken USB port and the 1 or more pins are contacting the metal of the USB port.

The only other way I know is replacing the USB port with soldering another one in it.
I can confirm my T430s is just like that.

No, breaking off is not an option. T420s has only three USBs, and this one is the only one easily accessible.

Ah you're right, and there isn't an express card port either so you couldn't add USBs to it like on the non 's' T420.
I'd say the best thing would be to superglue that fin back in, but I wouldn't know if it would still work afterwards.

The only option is to take the motherboard out, remove the broken port and replace with a good one.
From what I could see or figure out, this one should do it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400311394374