Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
2 Posts
0
5511
XPS 8930, Issue with USB Type-A Ports on Front I/O Panel
I bought an XPS 8930 from Dell around two months ago. Recently, I was plugging in a USB cable to one of the three USB Type-A ports on the front panel. It was tough to plug in, so I tried the one next to it. It was also tough. I tried the last of the three and the same thing. Finally, I shined my flashlight into the ports and found that all of them had been irreparably damaged. The pins were pushed toward the the bottom of the socket. I plugged the same USB cable into multiple other USB ports on another PC with no issues. I went ahead and ordered a new front panel I/O module from Dell and installed it anout a week later. Today, I tried to plug in a Bluetooth USB dongle and met that same resistance. I tried another port and same thing. I stopped trying before getting to the third port, as I remembered what had happened before. Shined a flashlight into them and noted the pins were again showing signs of bending. One of the damaged ports is still usable, but the other has one pin pushed down pretty far. I have not tried to see if they are salvageable yet. Again, I was able to plug this device, the Bluetooth USB dongle, into multiple USB ports on another PC with no issues. I've NEVER had a similar sequence of issues on ANY other USB device in my life. I'm thinking that there MUST be a defect with the manufacturing of these ports. Perhaps the tolerances are too tight. I've already spent an extra $50 on this PC fixing it from the first mishap, and I'm not looking forward to spending ANOTHER $50 fixing it again. Has anyone else experienced this issue?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
0
April 25th, 2018 21:00
Well, hopefully someone will answer.
While not likely, I suppose anything (like a bad batch) is possible. But please ... next time slowly test the part with a name-brand USB cable or flash drive (first, before you install it). It's hard to believe you damaged another set after spending all that time and money fixing it.
I've never heard of this happening. The USB plug or flash drive is just 4-large non-movable metal contacts on plastic ... usually with a metal guide around the whole thing. The socket has the pins. Not only do they flex, but only the curved middle part of the pin ever comes in contact with anything. Supposedly, they could be pushed all the way down into their individual crevices and not only still work, but not be damaged either.
The sockets on my new Aurora-R6 * ARE * pretty tight but I just plug my USB-Headphones into one of them and leave them for months at a time. Even when it takes some force, nothing is damaged. I don't really use the others. I got the impression that it has maybe the part that goes inside the metal shield that was making it tight .... it was a fraction of a mm to big. I'll take a closer look later tonight (I'll stick a perfect Micron flash drive into all of them).
If this was a new machine, why was this not handled as a warranty repair?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
0
April 25th, 2018 23:00
OK, I checked/tested the 4 front/top USB ports on my Aurora-R6 with a Lexar flash-drive.
Yes, they work fine. They are initially tight, but then loose after it gets past a certain point and they finally snap-into-place.
There are 2 "pressure clips" on the top and 2 on the bottom that I think are there to help them "snap into place" (and even keeps them held in place). Actually, seems a bit excessive. Anyway, that is what appears to be causing the resistance. They look similar to the 4 real-pins but they are non-electrical. Also, as you use the sockets they loosen up some.
SHatRO
2 Posts
0
August 12th, 2018 15:00
Before we start, I would like to get some information to update your records. Can we use the EMAIL address:
SHatRO
2 Posts
0
August 12th, 2018 15:00
Same exact issue. Middle port has bent contacts and appears to be shorting the right port. Only the left port works. Going to Dell support to get this fixed as it is under warranty.
remichal
1 Message
0
August 19th, 2018 11:00
Same problem with my XPS 8930 bought in March or April this year. Two of the ports have bent contacts.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
August 19th, 2018 16:00
FWIW, this issue was escalated in April. The platform team said those USB ports did not leave the factory in a "bent" or broken state.
They captured a couple of these systems and called it, "customer caused damage". Only customers who bought an additional Complete Care warranty could get this repaired by Dell.
(Please don't kill the messenger...)
Jade1984
1 Message
0
October 8th, 2018 17:00
kimile
2 Posts
0
October 16th, 2018 20:00
I asked some of my friends selling the parts, the whole module can be 40$
kimile
2 Posts
0
October 16th, 2018 20:00
same problem. 2 of the 3 usb just bent and shorting
BenJammin Koss
1 Message
0
November 24th, 2018 21:00
Thanks for all the replies. I now know what I am not the only one that experienced this hardware defect. I will gladly pay for a replacement part, but I don't know the part number as I cannot find a parts list for the XPS 8930 PC. Does anybody know this information? thanks
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
44.3K Posts
0
November 25th, 2018 12:00
Best bet is to contact Dell Spare Parts, 1-800-372-3355. Have your Service Tag handy when you call them.
TJ Lazer
1 Message
0
January 2nd, 2019 14:00
doomtrooper99
2 Posts
0
February 1st, 2019 11:00
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
0
February 12th, 2019 13:00
It's also popped-up on recent Alienware Aurora models (very similar case and panel).
I investigated it and posted an evaluation (on page 1 of this thread). I found that it was the extra metal clips around the port (that make it "snap in") and prevent it from falling out. Too much pressure is sometimes required to insert/remove USB plugs, and leads to user accidentally using to much force and sometimes damaging it.
Hopefully, Dell is listening. Maybe it was re-engineered in Aurora-R8 and recent XPS-89xx models.
NMITGuy
8 Posts
0
February 12th, 2019 13:00
These XPS desktops are plagued with USB port failures, not just on the front panel either. I made the mistake of purchasing one of these for an employee and another for my parents due to being heavily discounted and having past positive experience with XPS ultrabooks and older desktops. Both of these desktops I purchased are experiencing major and problems with the USB ports failing for no apparent reason. These problems are clearly a manufacturer defect that Dell is not being held accountable for. If you search Google for Dell XPS USB port failure, you will see just how large of a problem this is.
I have a user I support looking for a solid, new desktop and found a deal on this line again and now I know why: they are trying to clear their inventory of faulty products. It really makes me wish the US enjoyed the consumer protection that Europe has (or at least Norway that I know of for sure). Dell would be required to fix this at their expense. I will no longer be recommending these desktops.