[SOLVED] Laptop USB Port Broken. Any alternatives?

[screechy1]

Since the middle of last year my school laptop's USB port has been completely broken (and because it's a school laptop i assume I can't get it fixed). I was wondering if there are any alternatives so I can actually use a mouse or thumb drive on my computer? I can't get it fixed without getting a new computer from the school which, for me, is not a viable option. Thanks for any help!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

only offers one USB port?
your only option would be to replace it if it is actually broken. is it physically damaged or has it just stopped functioning?

are system settings locked down or can you access Device Manager and uninstall/reinstall drivers and software?

 

[screechy1]

only offers one USB port?
your only option would be to replace it if it is actually broken. is it physically damaged or has it just stopped functioning?

are system settings locked down or can you access Device Manager and uninstall/reinstall drivers and software?

Yep. Everything is blocked outside a few ease of access settings. There are two usb ports that I would alternate between because both of them were always quite finicky. Both of them are broken.

I also am not aware of what the physical signs of damage are, and even in that case there is no noticeable physical damage to my untrained eye.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

if they are not physically damaged, where you can see the actual damage to them, i would expect it is just a system fault.

see what the school's IT options are, maybe they can just reinstall/update/revert the system drivers and set it back to normal. there should be a support phone number, email, or website available for contact.

 

[screechy1]

if they are not physically damaged, where you can see the actual damage to them, i would expect it is just a system fault.

see what the school's IT options are, maybe they can just reinstall/update/revert the system drivers and set it back to normal. there should be a support phone number, email, or website available for contact.

What would any identifiable signs of damage look like?

 

[hang-the-9]

Since the middle of last year my school laptop's USB port has been completely broken (and because it's a school laptop i assume I can't get it fixed). I was wondering if there are any alternatives so I can actually use a mouse or thumb drive on my computer? I can't get it fixed without getting a new computer from the school which, for me, is not a viable option. Thanks for any help!

Why not simply ask the school IT people or whoever you think can help you to check on this? If it's in warranty they can fix it, or replace it, depends on the policy and who paid for what.

 

[Alabalcho]

For mice, you can use Bluetooth mouse, no USB needed (most modern laptops have Bluetooth inside). As for thumb drive - you can get away with GDrive/OneDrive/DropBox. There are also wireless portable drives, or just card readers. On emergency, you can also dump some files to your Bluetooth-connected phone.