Is it easy to replace a USB Port?

I had a headset in one of my 3.0 USB ports on the Alienware and when I took it out, the black piece in the port was stuck inside of the headset's USB and i can't get it is, is it easy to replace it?

Also, I only tried it on the left USB ports (3.0) but whenever I plug in one of my headsets I get a humming/screeching noise which is really annoying, does anyone else have this problem/ know how to fix it?

 

Can you post a pic of it?

Never heard of that before You should call Dell and see what they can do to repair it.

I think you might have to change either of the USB boards depending on where it is.

 

Just so you know-unless you have an express card with USB 3.0, there is no 3.0 on the R1-natively. Now, from what I remember, the USB ports are soldered to the Mobo. If that is the case, it could be somewhat aggravating. Gonna see if I can find a teardown video.

 

Depends on which side if its on the side of the Audio ports then it is a seperate board I think the left side of USB ports where the HDMI, DP, and ESata are part of the mobo, but it could also be a seperate board. I can't remember

 

Heres the pic it's kinda dark though.

It's the left USB port on the left side of the computer.



Also, how about the headset with the humming....

 

Oh yah that is definitely going to need a mobo replacement.

Yah I just confirmed that those are attached to the MOBO

found a pic of the MOBO

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...U0xrLKiZzfZAg%2Fznd06tRlGaQ%3D#ht_1608wt_1139

 

Okay thanks, and the headset with the humming?

 

The humming noise is common, it's interference. Does it do it on all USB ports? or just the ones on the left with the broken Port?

 

On all of them, im pretty sure. It's really loud like a girl screaming going in and out...is there anyway to fix it?

 

I think you should call Dell and have the mobo replaced and the sound board as well. Something is causing serious interference the humming is normal I think its called ground loop interference. A sound similar to a girl screaming is not. Are you still under warranty?

 

Yup, i'm also having other problems such as the screen randomly going to a gray screen while watching videos, playing games etc. The tech has been here 3 times already and i sent the laptop into dell once. I think i'm due for a replacement.

 

Doesn't hurt to try, but you will most likely get an R3.

 

Rly? So that pretty much means i'll get an M18x since the R3 doesn't have dual video cards

 

Hmmmmm! Fat chance there. You may, but I was kinda in the same boat about a month ago. Knew the M18 was coming and told the rep I wanted to try to wait (dual GPU's and all). Thought I gave pretty good argument, but I was told to take the R3 (it's an M17x like the R2) or a refurb. Took the R3 in my sig. Now, prolly gonna sell it and get an M18x.

 

Now but isn't that pretty much a downgrade though since it doesn't have 2 video cards?

 

That was my first tought. But, you will be getting a better CPU, an awesome GPU, USB 3.0, 32Gb RAM capability, a lighter-more portable system and all around just newer 'stuff'. If they offer a replacement, you could push for a dual GPU system, but they may not have to give you one. Not sure.

PS:Your pic is too big. Look here! Second to last bullet under general rules.

 

Turn "PCIeGen 2" to 'Disabled' in BIOS under Graphic Options and your problem should go away

 

Yeah that's true i might just push for the R3, and also will they give me a new one?

What does that do? I like to know what things do before I actually play around in the bios. Thanks!