A31 USB Connectors.

[Dontknow]

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to find a double USB connector for my A31? The original insulation inside it broke down, I tried to repair it with glue but this doesn't seem to work well, the connection is not stable.

Is this a replaceable part or do I have to buy the whole
motherboard? Or can I replace it with an USB connector from an old desktop motherboard?

Of course I could open up the laptop to find this out, but if someone would be so kind to give an answer before I open everything up than he would earn my gratitude.

Thank you very much!

[ajkula66]

You'd likely have to buy the whole board, but why would you do that? Get a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card and kill two birds with one stone...get your present issue resolved, and upgrade the speed to 2.0....

[sjthinkpader]

These double USB connectors are available in Silicon Valley at a place called Anchor Electronics. They don't have the mounting screw tab.

http://www.demoboard.com/anchor.htm

But unsoldering this connector is a PITB job. If the broken one is the top one, just open the back cover and clip the broken contacts.

George's advice is what I use for my A31.

[Dontknow]

Thanks both for your advice.

I think I'll use the solution ajkulaa66 gave, it's better indeed!
No time loss to open up the case, unsolder and resolder the socket and remount everything!

Much better fill the connectors with epoxy or glue to avoid shorts and use the PCMCIA card.

Faster, cheap and clean!

Btw, does a PCMCIA card get enough voltage to run an external 2.5" hd? I read somewhere that it doesn't always work, can someone confirm or deny that?

[sjthinkpader]

Some cards give you a pigtail to plug into the USB port for more juice.