Author Topic: problem  (Read 11947 times)

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Offline franksolich

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problem
« on: May 02, 2013, 05:08:47 PM »
On Monday, I was connecting and disconnecting things on this computer and the old one, when I "lost" the keyboard on this computer.  I clicked "properties," and was there was no keyboard connected, even though it was in fact connected.

I began using the on-line keyboard, and while it works, it's slow going.

I didn't worry about it, because the keyboard was pretty much shot anyway; in my frustration and impatience, I'd probably wrecked the end (clip) that goes into the tower.  So I figured I'd just get a new keyboard when I was in the big city today, which I did.

When I first connected it, the keyboard, but then the mouse didn't.

So I switched the connections, after which the mouse worked, but the keyboard didn't.

Groan.  Of course I'm grateful to have at least a keyboard, but.....

l guess I'll have to take the whole thing to the big city, but I fiugured I would ask here first, in case it's something simple.

The whole computer's a Dell.

I am willing to remain right here on this thread to give immediate responses if someone's willing to take the time to guide me through this, if one thinks it's fixable at this end.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2013, 05:28:11 PM »
Your mouse and keyboard, are they usb?
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2013, 05:35:57 PM »
Your mouse and keyboard, are they usb?

Yes.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2013, 05:38:24 PM »
By the way, I'm going to be a little slow, not because I'm not paying attention--remember what I'm using for a keyboard right now.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2013, 05:42:36 PM »
You should take note when you have one of the 2 plugged in and it works which port it is plugged into that will tell you which usb port is functioning.

If you take a good look at a usb port you will notice that it has an internal structure, that internal structure can break or crack rendering the port useless, I know this from personal experience.

I think what you need to try is use a different usb port whether it's from an expansion card, a usb hub or whatever, just another port.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2013, 05:51:46 PM »
You should take note when you have one of the 2 plugged in and it works which port it is plugged into that will tell you which usb port is functioning.

If you take a good look at a usb port you will notice that it has an internal structure, that internal structure can break or crack rendering the port useless, I know this from personal experience.

I think what you need to try is use a different usb port whether it's from an expansion card, a usb hub or whatever, just another port.

I was afraid that was going to be the diagnosis--a new outlet in the tower.

Well, I guess at 7:00 in the morning, I'll be heading to the big city.

Considering everything, what you say makes sense, all of it.  Thanks!
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2013, 05:59:42 PM »
I was afraid that was going to be the diagnosis--a new outlet in the tower.

Well, I guess at 7:00 in the morning, I'll be heading to the big city.

Considering everything, what you say makes sense, all of it.  Thanks!

I hope it works for you and if it does look at the bright side, if your stuff was all ps2 you'd have to either replace the motherboard or convert everything over to usb
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2013, 06:02:35 PM »
I hope it works for you and if it does look at the bright side, if your stuff was all ps2 you'd have to either replace the motherboard or convert everything over to usb

I'll post what happens, tomorrow.

All else works fine; it must just be the keyboard-mouse connections where they're clipped into the tower.
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Offline J P Sousa

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Re: problem
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2013, 06:12:19 PM »
I'll post what happens, tomorrow.

All else works fine; it must just be the keyboard-mouse connections where they're clipped into the tower.

Stupid question here Frank, you only have two USB ports ?
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Offline thundley4

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Re: problem
« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2013, 06:16:34 PM »
I had a problem with one set of USB ports and had to go into the device manager, uninstall them and restart the computer.

Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2013, 06:24:42 PM »
Stupid question here Frank, you only have two USB ports ?
.

Hey now, this is probably an old computer; I dunno, and a screen capture of its specifications is available upon request, if one tells me where to find it.

As far as I can tell, there's four of them leading into the unit, two with prongs in there, and two without prongs.

The mouse and the keyboard are inserted into the ones without prongs.

<<<not a computer whiz, sorry.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2013, 06:29:26 PM »
Hey now, this is probably an old computer; I dunno, and a screen capture of its specifications is available upon request, if one tells me where to find it.

As far as I can tell, there's four of them leading into the unit, two with prongs in there, and two without prongs.

The mouse and the keyboard are inserted into the ones without prongs.

<<<not a computer whiz, sorry.

It doesn't matter which usb port you plug your devices into.

The can possibly find usb ports on the back of the tower, on the front of the tower under a little door, on the monitor.
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Offline marv

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Re: problem
« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2013, 06:30:28 PM »
I have a bunch of USB devices, two on the front and four on the back. Not liking cables hanging out the front, and having mor5e than four such devices, I picked up a USB hub at Walmart for a couple of bucks. Now I have seven out the back.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2013, 06:35:12 PM »
It doesn't matter which usb port you plug your devices into.

The can possibly find usb ports on the back of the tower, on the front of the tower under a little door, on the monitor.

Whoa.

Wait.

What?

I just looked; there's four on the front.  Two are USB, two are round.

I never paid attention because I didn't know what they were for.

Before I even try, would it be worth my while to see if those would work?
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2013, 06:36:07 PM »
Whoa.

Wait.

What?

I just looked; there's four on the front.  Two are USB, two are round.

I never paid attention because I didn't know what they were for.

Before I even try, would it be worth my while to see if those would work?

Absolutely!
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2013, 06:37:36 PM »
Absolutely!

Okay, I'll try it right now.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2013, 06:40:24 PM »
SUCCESS!  SUCCESS!  SUCCESS!

I LOVE YOU, MAN!

IT WORKS!

I KISS YOUR FEET, SIR!

YOU ARE AWESOME!
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2013, 06:42:20 PM »
Good deal Coach, I'm glad we could help.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2013, 06:43:29 PM »
Good deal Coach, I'm glad we could help.

Okay, so apparently that's why I could never get the printer, which uses one of the four USB ports in the back, to work.  Now I know the problem; it's localized.

God, I thank you!

I am so grateful!
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #19 on: May 02, 2013, 06:45:16 PM »
 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #20 on: May 02, 2013, 06:49:07 PM »
I'll still have to take the tower to the big city for a new ports, but at least I won't have to do it tomorrow.

<<<<because of distances, likes to have more than just one reason to go to the big city, and so this can wait for a second and third reason.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #21 on: May 02, 2013, 06:53:30 PM »
I'll still have to take the tower to the big city for a new ports, but at least I won't have to do it tomorrow.

<<<<because of distances, likes to have more than just one reason to go to the big city, and so this can wait for a second and third reason.

Think about getting a usb hub instead.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #22 on: May 02, 2013, 06:56:11 PM »
Think about getting a usb hub instead.

<<<has no idea what a USB hub is, but will nadin it.

However, since this is an old computer, I'm reluctant to put lots of dough into it.  When I take it in, I'll ask.  The guys at connectingpoint have never done me wrong in twelve years I've been going there.
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Offline EagleKeeper

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Re: problem
« Reply #23 on: May 02, 2013, 07:02:15 PM »
<<<has no idea what a USB hub is, but will nadin it.

However, since this is an old computer, I'm reluctant to put lots of dough into it.  When I take it in, I'll ask.  The guys at connectingpoint have never done me wrong in twelve years I've been going there.

USB hubs are cheap and will turn 1 usb port on you computer into 4 or 8 or whatever.

I use an old micro 4 port hub to run my printer, headphones and laptop cooler.

I think I might have spent 10 bucks max.
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Offline franksolich

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Re: problem
« Reply #24 on: May 02, 2013, 07:18:46 PM »
USB hubs are cheap and will turn 1 usb port on you computer into 4 or 8 or whatever.

I use an old micro 4 port hub to run my printer, headphones and laptop cooler.

I think I might have spent 10 bucks max.

I hadn't nadined it yet; I had the impression it might be some piece of big equipment.

But I'll keep you up to date.
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