Is this worth a new motherboard?

My usb ports no longer work (well, all but one) and so for the last year, I have tried to find out what is wrong with them, and upon enough searching, I have found out that there is a burnt out spot on the mobo and it is right next to a spot that you plug a wire into that is connected to the usb ports in the front of the computer tower. In device manager they all show up as unknown device. Right next to the burnt spot it says usb2 on it. could this be why my usb's aren't working and usb's are very useful to me, so is there any way around getting a new motherboard?

 

you could always get a pci or external usb hub

 

Pci yes... External Hub.. No... Not without the PCI card...

If the MBoard is burnt out, the device should not show in DManager...
Are the devices plugged in correctly, +, -, Vcc and Ground?

If so, Try reinstalling the driver from the MB disk or from the manufacturers website...

And if part of your board has burnt out, then more than likely, the rest will follow soon...

TIPS TO AVOID BURNOUTS

Ensure you have efficient fan and circulation inside your box, and install auxillary fans if not... Or invest in a cooloing system, which I highly recommend if you buy another MB...

 

yeah, I'd have to assume they are plugged in correctly, because I don't think they have ever been unplugged and they used to work. As far as the usb ports not showing, they all used to show up as "unknown device" but now only one shows up and it shows up as "unknown device". I have tried to uninstall old drivers and install new. Thanks for the suggestions though. I'm at my wits end with this problem, and I think it may be time for a new mobo.

 

My niece had a burnout on her MB courtisy of IPod (it also popped a PCI card I installed), but the base USB port worked (minus the PS, +5VDC). I had her get an external powered hub to get it working with good luck.

I would recommend both a PCI USB card, and an external powered hub. The latter provides isolation between your computer and whatever, and can be transfered to a new setup without sweat.

 

Some USB devices, in particular the cheap USB DSL modems which come 'free' with broadband and conrflakes will not work through an external USB hub, powered or otherwise. Be warned.

Studio T

 

Just get a PCI usb card they are about $20 or £12. They are very reliable and also a lot cheaper than buying a full new motherboard.

USB ports die very commonly i shouldnt worry too much.

 

many thanks for the advice!