I tripped over...
...my ethernet cable connected to my iBook G4. Yep, the laptop fell to the floor - but incurred no damage... except that it landed on the side where the cable was connected. The cable was fine, but the connector was jammed. I pulled it out and tried reconnecting it and got online for a second - but then lost the connection.
Will this mean a whole motherbaord relacement, or can I just have the port replaced? I guess I can easily just go wireless in my apartment, but I like having the option of a DSL line if I travel.
Help?
Will this mean a whole motherbaord relacement, or can I just have the port replaced? I guess I can easily just go wireless in my apartment, but I like having the option of a DSL line if I travel.
Help?
Comments
Unless you can jack around with the connectors inside and see if anything is bent.
I feel so stupid... urgh!\
Yes, a new port can be soldered on, or the current port could be re-soldered.
The thing is, you would need to find someone willing to do the soldering. Apple definitely won't - they'll just want to replace the whole MB (what a waste).
There is the possibility, however, that you cracked or otherwise damaged the motherboard itself - in which case it will obviously have to be replaced.
A third-party Apple repair centre may be willing to look at the motherboard and attempt to re-solder if that will fix the problem.
Well, I took it to an authorized dealer/store/repair place called Melrose Mac. The counter clerk was guessing that the mobo needed replacing, but then an older gentleman came in (clearly the expert) and said it's worth a look to see if something inside (I want to say a peg or a mount) wasn't damaged, then possibly it could be reconnected/repaired.
I feel so stupid having triped over the cable I've been so carefully placing just so that wouldn't happen. It's been a while since I've owned a laptop - forgot how fragile they could be.
Thank you for the encouraging reply.
Originally posted by Barbara Ann
Aw... hope. Thank you!
Well, I took it to an authorized dealer/store/repair place called Melrose Mac. The counter clerk was guessing that the mobo needed replacing, but then an older gentleman came in (clearly the expert) and said it's worth a look to see if something inside (I want to say a peg or a mount) wasn't damaged, then possibly it could be reconnected/repaired.
I feel so stupid having triped over the cable I've been so carefully placing just so that wouldn't happen. It's been a while since I've owned a laptop - forgot how fragile they could be.
Thank you for the encouraging reply.
If they want a lot to fix it, you can always just buy an Airport.
It's probably best getting it fixed though if you plan to resell it. I certainly wouldn't buy a machine with a broken ethernet port.
If, God willing, the motherboard is OK, but they cannot fix the ethernet port without replacing it, I'll just go wireless. A new mobo would run me like $500, right?
I am looking into getting the wireless router (Belkin?) do I need to get the usb dongle in addition to that? (clearly, I am not the expert here - which is why I joined this site - to ask and learn!)
Marvin is right, I will most likely trip over the ethernet cable again if I don't go wireless... but I am still hoping they can fix it
I'm using Airport express to listen to my music--
Just use wireless--and don't feel dumb.