USB3 Port Failure - Missing Ribbon Cable Connector

[MT_MANC]

USB3 Port Failure - Missing Ribbon Cable Connector on M/B

My left-side USB3  port on Elitebook 840 G4 wont recognise/power any USB devices & fails the BIOS hardware test - on investigation it seems this ribbon connector is missing on my machine! 
To repair the USB3 port can I buy JUST this cable as a spare part from HP ? (FYI - I can't find one listed anywhere on eBAY !!)  or do I need to buy the whole USB/VGA sub-board unit from HP  - p60 of Service Manual ? Part:  L17979-001 - even this seems hard to source - HP's on UK spares site doesnt seem to  recognise  L17979-001   ??

Any advice greatfully received -thanks

[erico]

Cables don't just mysteriously disappear from notebook PCs.

A more likely cause is that the owner has inadvertently damaged the port.

Replacing the VGA/USB board is unlikely to repair the issue unless you can see obvious physical damage to the port. You can try it if you like.

If the hardware test shows a fail, then a system board replacement is more likely to resolve the problem. 

[MT_MANC]

..inherited this G4 unit..USB port seems in-tact its just that  the gold ribbon connector cable is missing so dont think the M/B is an issue as no other problems with laptop. Just having difficulties sourcing the replacement cable - or more likely the entire VGA/USB3 sub-board as a unit. I presume if I can locate one of these units  I can simply disconnect take the cable & fit it on the existing VGA/USB3 sub-board without a big disassembly ?

But HP doesnt seem to supply a spare VGA/USB3 sub-board ! -   the unit does not even seem to be listed in the 840 G4 Service manual ?  Any guidance on where I can get hold of the missing cable (or entire VGA/USB3 sub-board) ?

Most kind

[erico]

The only place you will get a cable is likely to be from the second-hand market from a broken notebook. Good luck with that.

BREXIT has no hit yet, so you can still order the complete board from an online vendor source at the following search I did.

https://www.google.com/search?q=HP+L17979-001&oq=HP+L17979-001&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64l3.2031j0j7&so...

I had no problem sourcing the part, even in the UK.  You might consider using a different search engine for your searches in the future.

[iomare · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Just to be sure what we are talking about. You say the connector is missing on the motherboard? Or the cable which goes from VGA/USB board to motherboard is missing?

On page 61 of the service manual, you can see the part we are discussing. I do not believe you are looking at the correct service manual. As the part has part number 916922-001 and is available in HP parts store in the UK (not real expensive).

Service manual:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05357618

Part:

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=F5D0EBF3F0C34609908CDA18DF9428D0&SearchIn=P...

So if the cable is missing or damaged, replacing the part should solve the problem.

Hope it helps,

David

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