IBM Thinkpad R40 - USB Port "Power Surge" - Can it be fixed by user??

I did a stupid thing, attempting to plug in my headphones on left side
of R40, I accidentally put the plug into the USB port next to
headphone jack, and even though the plug was not inserted it
apparently shorted the USB jack and I got an error message on screen
advising of "Power Surge on USB port" and to seek repairs.

What I want to know is if there is a "USB Fuse" on the mainboard that
can be replaced to restore the USB ports, a chip or just what is
involved, as IBM wants $600 to repair it and for a few hundred more I
can buy a new one, so if anyone knows if this can be fixed by a
technician familiar with working with Surface Mount components, or if
someone knows of another shop that could fix it with very fast
turnaround (leaving country on job in 2 weeks), please advise if you
might know of a solution. Otherwise, I think I'll just buy a new one
as the prices have come down quite a bit lately.

Thanks for any advice,

Jim

"wa5dxp" <wdxp@cox.net> wrote in message
news:deoe525h02cf7p7ulimnlu8l0th2sgvvnl@4ax.com...
>I did a stupid thing, attempting to plug in my headphones on left side
> of R40, I accidentally put the plug into the USB port next to
> headphone jack, and even though the plug was not inserted it
> apparently shorted the USB jack and I got an error message on screen
> advising of "Power Surge on USB port" and to seek repairs.
>
> What I want to know is if there is a "USB Fuse" on the mainboard that
> can be replaced to restore the USB ports, a chip or just what is
> involved, as IBM wants $600 to repair it and for a few hundred more I
> can buy a new one, so if anyone knows if this can be fixed by a
> technician familiar with working with Surface Mount components, or if
> someone knows of another shop that could fix it with very fast
> turnaround (leaving country on job in 2 weeks), please advise if you
> might know of a solution. Otherwise, I think I'll just buy a new one
> as the prices have come down quite a bit lately.
>

Does the USB port still work if you plug something in that does not require
power from the port? If so a workaround is to either use the port for non
powered items or to power things through a powered hub. If the port doesn't
work, then it isn't the fuse, its the actual port either a separate chip or
on the Northbridge chip. If the latter, you should still be able to use a
hub on another port.

Apparently it took both USB ports out completely. Now I get a message
about a POWER SURGE and to correct problem click on this message.
WHen you do, it shows you a list of the USB ports (shows 4 but mine
only has 2) and it shows two with yellow triangles. It says to fix
port, hightlight port and hit RESET button, otherwise CLOSE will
disable the port. I clicked on RESET but alas, no joy. Apparently
IBM has some kind of built-in reset/repair mechanism for USB ports.

IBM has flat $600 repair fee, and for $699 can get brand new one....
he he..

Jim





On Tue, 2 May 2006 15:47:47 +0100, "M.I.5¾"
<no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"wa5dxp" <wdxp@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:deoe525h02cf7p7ulimnlu8l0th2sgvvnl@4ax.com.. .
>>I did a stupid thing, attempting to plug in my headphones on left side
>> of R40, I accidentally put the plug into the USB port next to
>> headphone jack, and even though the plug was not inserted it
>> apparently shorted the USB jack and I got an error message on screen
>> advising of "Power Surge on USB port" and to seek repairs.
>>
>> What I want to know is if there is a "USB Fuse" on the mainboard that
>> can be replaced to restore the USB ports, a chip or just what is
>> involved, as IBM wants $600 to repair it and for a few hundred more I
>> can buy a new one, so if anyone knows if this can be fixed by a
>> technician familiar with working with Surface Mount components, or if
>> someone knows of another shop that could fix it with very fast
>> turnaround (leaving country on job in 2 weeks), please advise if you
>> might know of a solution. Otherwise, I think I'll just buy a new one
>> as the prices have come down quite a bit lately.
>>
>
>Does the USB port still work if you plug something in that does not require
>power from the port? If so a workaround is to either use the port for non
>powered items or to power things through a powered hub. If the port doesn't
>work, then it isn't the fuse, its the actual port either a separate chip or
>on the Northbridge chip. If the latter, you should still be able to use a
>hub on another port.
>

Have you looked inside the box to see if there is an internal USB port?

Todd

"Jim" <wdxp@cox.net> wrote in message
news:3dlq52d2tcu6lcqb8oa70b23ap5im5108q@4ax.com...
> Apparently it took both USB ports out completely. Now I get a message
> about a POWER SURGE and to correct problem click on this message.
> WHen you do, it shows you a list of the USB ports (shows 4 but mine
> only has 2) and it shows two with yellow triangles. It says to fix
> port, hightlight port and hit RESET button, otherwise CLOSE will
> disable the port. I clicked on RESET but alas, no joy. Apparently
> IBM has some kind of built-in reset/repair mechanism for USB ports.
>
> IBM has flat $600 repair fee, and for $699 can get brand new one....
> he he..
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 May 2006 15:47:47 +0100, "M.I.5¾"
> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"wa5dxp" <wdxp@cox.net> wrote in message
> >news:deoe525h02cf7p7ulimnlu8l0th2sgvvnl@4ax.com.. .
> >>I did a stupid thing, attempting to plug in my headphones on left side
> >> of R40, I accidentally put the plug into the USB port next to
> >> headphone jack, and even though the plug was not inserted it
> >> apparently shorted the USB jack and I got an error message on screen
> >> advising of "Power Surge on USB port" and to seek repairs.
> >>
> >> What I want to know is if there is a "USB Fuse" on the mainboard that
> >> can be replaced to restore the USB ports, a chip or just what is
> >> involved, as IBM wants $600 to repair it and for a few hundred more I
> >> can buy a new one, so if anyone knows if this can be fixed by a
> >> technician familiar with working with Surface Mount components, or if
> >> someone knows of another shop that could fix it with very fast
> >> turnaround (leaving country on job in 2 weeks), please advise if you
> >> might know of a solution. Otherwise, I think I'll just buy a new one
> >> as the prices have come down quite a bit lately.
> >>
> >
> >Does the USB port still work if you plug something in that does not
require
> >power from the port? If so a workaround is to either use the port for
non
> >powered items or to power things through a powered hub. If the port
doesn't
> >work, then it isn't the fuse, its the actual port either a separate chip
or
> >on the Northbridge chip. If the latter, you should still be able to use
a
> >hub on another port.
> >
>