USB ports won't work after water dripped from ceiling

[Cantturnmeon]

Hi all,

I had a drip from the cieling yesterday. When I saw it, I turned off the laptop and wiped it down with a c loth. That brought the system out of hibernation, so I put it back to sleep asap. 

I bumped it again later, so I figured I'd check it out while it was on. It worked fine, for the most part. No problem with the keyboard, touchpad, sound, etc. But, the USB ports (2 on the R and 1 on the L) don't work at all. I figured the keyboard would be the worst, since that's where the water was dripping, but I can't get the usb ports to respond. So, no more mouse (I hate the touchpad), and no more flash/ portable hard drives.

Any ideas on what I can do here?

My first thought was replace the internal USB hardware or maybe add the bluetooth chip (I think my model had that option, but I didn't choose it when I ordered).

I assume that's not terribly difficult for some people, and with a diagram or pics/ instructions, I can handle it.

Or is there a way to test to ensure they're actually dead? Or, is it cost effective to replace the hardware Or, should I grab  a new laptop? I wouldn't be looking to spend much and would want a bit better on the graphics chip (HD5650 currently).

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[mdklassen]

> My first thought was replace the internal USB hardware ...

The only way to do that is to replace the motherboard. 

Probably expensive!

Take your model-number and access http://support.hp.com

and find the "Service and Maintenance Manual" for your model.

Within the manual, find the part-number for the motherboard.

From there, access http://PartSurfer.hp.com to find the pricing of the motherboard, plus/minus the BlueTooth adapter.

Or. see: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/iogear-bluetooth-4-0-usb-micro-adapter-green/5559535.p?skuId=5559535

for a BlueTooth adapter that consumes one USB port.

[Cantturnmeon]

Thanks, mdklassen!

Any idea how to compare my laptop with some of the new ones on the market? Especially processors and video cards. A few years ago (maybe a decade ago), it seemed easier to compare models without having a table to refer to. But, if you know where to find one of those tables, I'd be glad to use it.

I'll try those sites you listed, but I'm leaning toward buying a new one at some point if the USBs don't work at all. Is there a way to test them? Device manager says they're working correctly (I beg to differ on that one!)

I'll hopefully also remember to post back!

Matt

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

> I'm leaning toward buying a new one at some point if the USBs don't work at all.

> Is there a way to test them? Device manager says they're working correctly (I beg to differ on that one!)

From the Windows point-of-view, their unique device-IDs have been matched to a loaded device-driver.

So, they are "working".

Maybe, if you reboot your HP computer, and repeatedly tap 'F2', you'll enter the "HP Diagnostics" interface,

and will be able to test the USB ports.  But, expect the same "not-detected" results as when plugging-in a USB memory-stick when Windows is running.

Check HP's "Part Surfer" web-site for the price and availability of a replacement motherboard.

Compare to the price of a brand-new computer.

You could "part-out" some components (screen, keyboard, RAM, CD/DVD, disk-drive, AC adapter) to get a few dollars.

But, remember that all your "personal files" currently are stored on that disk-drive.

[Cantturnmeon]

Ok, I'll try the diagnostics. The last time I started it, the mouse worked for a few seconds, so I'm holding out hope. The Bluetooth chip was about $35 plus shipping. There is also a USB cable and USB chip, but can't remember prices for that combo or the system board (the site said it couldn't find it). I'll play around with it and see if I can find anything. If I'm just losing USB, I may just deal and use it as a backup if I get a new one. 

I just don't know where to start with the new systems. May go back to a desktop type pc because of simpler upgrades and repairs. But, I'll need to spend some time figuring out the models. Back in the P4 days, it all seemed easy!

Thanks again!

Matt

[mdklassen]

From: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-dv7-4100-Entertainment-Notebook-PC-serie...

all the downloadable device-drivers date from 2010 through 2012.

So, I'm guessing that your laptop, including the disk-drive, is at least 5 years old.

After 5 years, would you think about replacing the tires on your automobile, before they "blow" ?

After 5 years, would you think about replacing the computer's disk-drive, before it "blows" ?

Microsoft will support Windows 7 until January 2020.

At that time, you will need to purchase a new computer.

Maybe, buying a new computer "soon" s a good decision.

[Cantturnmeon]

Bought it 2011, so over 6 years. I'm pretty happy with what I've been able to get out of it. It's a little slow with games, and doesn't hold up to some of the newer release of programs. I mean it works, but it feels a bit old if you know what I mean.

That's part of the reason I'm not sure I feel like upgrading or repairing. It seems it'd be worth it to invest in something newer with a bit more power. I'm just not in the mood to do all that research!