usb controller on Dimension E521 no longer functioning

Question

I am trying to help out a friend whose daughter destroyed one of the USB port on the front of an Dimension E521.  I suspect that it has shorted out the controller because neither the keyboard or the mouse work in any of the usb ports (front and back).  Since there are no longer any PS/2 ports on this ws short of replacing the motherboard any suggestions on how to fix since I am unable to interface with the computer without a working keyboard of mouse.   I was thinking of installing a usb card and then disabling the onboard usb controller once I was able to interface with the bios.  Any other suggestions?????  Are there any connectors to the usb ports on the front of the computer that can be disconnected????

fireberd · Answer

You can check the front panel connection cable, but on many new Dell's there is one cable that has everything - the on/off power switch, the USB and headset/mic jacks.  The connector for that cable is a Dell proprietary and undocumented.

RoHe · Answer

If you press F2, F8 or F12 before XP starts to load, what happens? If the PC responds and you get into BIOS setup (F2), for example, then this likely is a Windows software problem.

Been bunches of posts on these forums about USB ports not working after XP loads.

Ron

snorris6 · Answer

as i said in my original post the ports are not working so the keyboard and mouse do not function even when the bios screen is displayed and prompts you to press F2 or F12 so it is a hardware problem.  Have decided to install another usb pci card

RoHe · Answer

Sorry, but all your original post says is that mouse/keyboard don't work in any port. You didn't say if that was before or after XP loads. Ron

s0phia · Answer

If you USB port does not work on the front panel and the onboard at the back are working..it is not a driver issue nor bios.   i think it is the cable that connects your system board and your front panel USB hub...   installing a USB expansion card is better..(if you still have your warrabty, you can call dell tech to have them replace your front panel...or troubleshoot the usb problem...)

TechieJ · Answer

I have a Demension e510 and had  the usb problem as well, but i was  able to fix it by cleaning out the ports  of  dust (i was surprized cause ikeep  mine clean) 'just  another option'

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usb controller on Dimension E521 no longer functioning

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