z11 usb port suddenly died

I went to plug a flash drive into the usb port on the lower right corner of my Z11 and....nothing! No power, no recognition of the flash drive nor 5 or 6 other USB devices. Other two USB ports work fine, as does my Express Card USB 3 port. Don't know of anything that could have caused this port to be damaged. Device manager shows 2 USB Root Hubs, 2 Generic USB Hubs, 2 Intel (5) series 3400 series...USB Enhanced Host Controllers (3B3C and 3B34) and 3 USB Composite Devices. I also have an ExpressCard USB3 controller (AKE) which shows up as Fresco Logic USB3 controller.

Any ideas???

 

Could be a broken port.... one of the 4 lines disconnected

 

Should that be easy to fix/replace by taking the keyboard off, or might it be a broken connection to the Mobo?

 

Take a look in the port to see if there are any bent leads or if the lead has junk on it. You can clean them with a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Replacing the port wouldn't be easy.

PS: Sorry to hear it. I use that port more than any other on the Z1.

 

Thanks, yeah, me too. Looks clean though. Now that I think of it, I grabbed the Z to go a week ago or so and a lapdesk/cooling pad was connected there. The pad was heavy, with a fan and speakers, and it kind of dangled in the air for a sec before the USB plug pulled out and the lap desk fell (unharmed) to the floor. Looking for where a pin might have gotten bent but looks normal under lighted magnifier, so probably a lead broke off so cleanly I can't see it.

So, no such thing as replacing the port, eh? At least I have a third with the EC USB3. That only one on the right side was a real handy one to use, that's for sure.

 

You could try replace that board which has that USB port, headphone/mic jack and wifi switch.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/531011-vaio-z11-headphone-jack-broken.html

 

Yes, that definitely gets to the right part. (Great "confidential" Sony Z11 service manual in the linked thread too; like CC's Z12 manual, but for Z11s.) My only concern is, how are the USB, Headphone and Microphone jacks wired? Not looking forward to soldering inside my Z.

And btw, I looked deep inside the port with a pinpoint flashlight/magnifier and none of the pins are meaningfully bent and there is no crud in it. Has to be that whatever wires the port to the pcie bus severed in my little mishap. The port is totally fried.

Question: what is involved in removing the old part and installing the replacement? Are we talking soldering, or is there a clip?

 

I don't think there will be any soldering involved. There is the usual flat flexible connector which you already know and love Watch out for the plastic/rubber thingy in between the board and the wireless, battery and disk LEDs, if it is there - it needs to go back the same way or the LEDs will not glow properly.

 

Awesome! Have you actually done this, or seen the part? It appears to be connected on a PC board and attached to the chassis by a screw. Does that sound right?

@Zoinks: you warned that this would be difficult to do. Can you elaborate?

 

I was thinking you had to replace the port and re-solder. If you can get the replacement daughterboard, shouldn't be too bad.

 

^ Exactly. I too recommend getting the daughterboard (the one with the USB port, headphone and mic sockets and wireless, charging and disk LEDs). That way no soldering should be involved.

 

I have the same issue with my Z13. I have a 2 year warranty, so waiting until January before I send it for repair.

 

Thanks guys. Ordered the part and hope to have it in a few days. I've taken this thing apart a few times, so hopefully removing and replacing the USB/headphone module won't be too challenging. Always look forward to an opportunity to snap a connector

 

Take pics as you install it. We'll help you if you get stuck

 

Thanks. Will do, and publish for future generations. One question: how do you insert photos right into the body of a post?

 

I am incredibly happy to report that today I received the replacement daughterboard with the USB port and headphone and mic jacks for my Z11 tonight and installed it without incident and all is now working perfectly!

I apologize that I was not able to take pictures as requested . I had to complete it fairly quickly and had both my hands occupied at all times! I will say that it is not as hard as it looks to a novice like me. To any who find this thread in the future, feel free to ask me for help if you need to do the same replacement.

I really want to thank everyone for their help and moral support on this. It was a classic NBR Sony forum "we're here to help" experience . Special thanks and +1 to Zoinks for graciously offering to walk me through the replacement (confidence-building) and to Namaiki for making me aware of the daughterboard part and for having the presence of mind to remember a thread from 2010 which, linked to both the part number and to a "confidential" Z11 service/parts manual, which enabled me to visualize the part, and which will be helpful for many things going forward, I'm sure.

 

Excellent news. Fixes almost always feel better when you DIY, so congrats

 

Thanks! Yes, DIY really does feel better; having your offer to jump in definitely emboldened me to try

 

That's pretty cool. I like happy endings.

 

Me too (full release)

 

^I see what you did there.

 

I can't lie

 

This is America. If you can't lie, a politician will be assigned to lie on your behalf.

 

1) Thanks for the words of encouragement (you too, Louche)
2) I feel so lame, but I don't get the Zoinks/beaups exchange - can you provide a hint for the handicapped?

off-topic: Zoinks, did you actually buy another Z2 after you borked your SSDs? More important, did you ever get that worked out? (I do think there may be a law against anyone having 3 of the greatest notebook computers ever created maxxed out, all for personal use, lol.

Or, you could do what Louche does: change the story by "quoting" bits of things you said before, out of context and with some strategically missing words, hahaha.

 

^ Search the internet for "happy ending"

On your question, yes and not yet.