Okay, I know only the computer nerds will be reading this, and it's your input I need. Somehow, I broke an USB port on my main computer's MOBO when I removed a thumb drive, and I guess something shorted in the process and has disabled all my USB devices, keyboard and mouse. The computer boots up, no problem POSTing, but I think I'm in the market for a new MOBO. I had a PCI USB hub, but no dice there. I suppose that power channel is out (what is that, like a 5 volt line?). I'm not committed to buying the new motherboard yet, I'll try a different PSU first in case I blew something there. If I am faced with a new MOBO purchase, I have a Socket 754 AMD proc, Radeon X1950 Pro AGP 8x card and stuff, and I don't want to put a whole lot of $$$ into building a completely new rig.
I'm finding the later(?) (and presumably better) motherboards don't have AGP, they have something called an Advanced Graphics Riser as well as a PCI express slot. What I cannot confirm is if it is better than an actual AGP board? I may, at a later date move up in video cards, but I can't afford to now.
Anyone want to recommend any boards or manufacturers I should shop for, or avoid? I'm looking for something on the cheap.

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John DuRette
Custom 85 SE/86 GT
"Kinda makes you nostalgic for a Members Only jacket"

some motherboards have more than one USB block.

from the sounds of it, you broke the connection of that one block off of the MB. because MB are often multilayer circuit boards - re-soldering is not a good option.

often, there is a set of pins on the motherboard, which are USB, and you just need to connect them. I think its normally a group of 8 or 10 pins, 1 of which is sometimes gone.

AGR is a stopgap, keep away from it.

if you do not want to replace your video card you need to buy a AGP motherboard.

If you want current tech you have to buy a PCIe motherboard and new video card.

My PCIe computer kicks the absolute crud out of my AGP machine. but then the video card tech is way better.

It's not a better or worse, it's a outdated tech you will never be able to buy thing. You will see no motherboards with AGP very soon.

Also, you can simply buy a USB card and fix your computer cheaply. ignore the built in usb, use the card's usb.

The way I see it you have 2.5 choices.

1. Buy an old motherboard that will use your, AGP, Ram, Processor, etc....


2. Buy a new motherboard, new processor, new ram, and a PCIe Video card.


2.5 Keep trying to fix your busted up/broken motherboard.

You said, "I had a PCI USB hub, but no dice there".

That tells me you need a new motherboard. I would try PFF before FleaBay for a used board. But thats just me.

Good Luck,

Fred

I want to step in and make a statement..

Ok, I did that.

So now I want to say this: While you may have physically damaged that particular port/set of ports, you may need to shut the system off, unplug the power, and then press and hold the power button on the PC for a count of 60 seconds.

Plug the power cable back in, power the system back on, and then test your remaining USB ports for functionality.

USB has an "Overload" breaker built in, which is supposed to auto reset. When it doesn't, it can be a bear to diagnose and troubleshoot.

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian: from the sounds of it, you broke the connection of that one block off of the MB. often, there is a set of pins on the motherboard, which are USB, and you just need to connect them. .

quote Originally posted by Fredbearstalksme: Buy an old motherboard that will use your, AGP, Ram, Processor, etc.... You said, "I had a PCI USB hub, but no dice there". That tells me you need a new motherboard.

quote Originally posted by Synthesis: While you may have physically damaged that particular port/set of ports, you may need to shut the system off, unplug the power, and then press and hold the power button on the PC for a count of 60 seconds. Plug the power cable back in, power the system back on, and then test your remaining USB ports for functionality. USB has an "Overload" breaker built in, which is supposed to auto reset. When it doesn't, it can be a bear to diagnose and troubleshoot.

I was hoping there was a reset on the board (some have short protection), the power supply, or perhaps using the PCI card (I'll steal Boondog's pic here):

since the power should come off the PCI power? No change. The other USB connectors? Dead as well. I tested the power supply with a PC power supply tester I had... it checked out. I guess I'm spending $40 on a mobo.

I just checked Pricewatch.com and saw a lot of Socket754 boards for under $40.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: I just checked Pricewatch.com and saw a lot of Socket754 boards for under $40.

Same here, and generally that was better than eBay this time around. I tried the hold-the-power-button-in for 60 seconds with the PC unplugged just in case that would do the trick (never heard of that before) but still no luck. All of the peripheral connections on the mobo with the exception of the Ethernet connector seem to be unresponsive. The frustrating thing is that Windows recognized the USB card and asked if I wanted to install it.... I couldn't even remotely log into the unit to hit 'yes'.