Dell Laptop Question!

[PookiePrincess]

I've had my Dell laptop since Sept or Oct of 2004. I just realized that I think my USB ports are not working. I tried to hook my digital camera up several months ago, and it wouldn't work...I just figured it was a prob with my camera. But the other day I tried to hook up the printer and one of those USB storage devices (not sure about the tech term) and am sure there's something wrong with my USB ports.

So...does anyone else have a Dell and had similar problems???? I haven't called tech support yet, but might have to tomorrow! TIA!

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I have a Dell laptop (my biggest source of headaches). I have had issues with the USB. I only use it with my printer, as my digital camera software is on another computer.

Back a few months ago, when I would have a print job sent, the printer just wouldn't print. It would be all qued up on the screen, say it was printing, and that was it. Other times, it would print the document, but could not delete from the que unless I shut down the entire system. Not fun to learn when you're trying to print a paper that's due.

Does yours have 2 USB ports? If I attach the printer to the top one, I have no problems. But it doesn't recognize anything plugged into the second port! I did have problems with the PCI wireless card, so I swiped the external one from our other computer. If I put it in the upper port, it would work fine. Put it in the botttom port, the computer would either freeze, or not recognize it being there at all.

I'd call Dell. You paid for tech support ;) I send mine back every chance I get when something is wrong, and it's within the warranty period. I put a 4 year warranty on it, and have advanced tech support, and have them come to my home to fix it. Thank goodness I did. For what you paid, get your money's worth!

ETA: Duh! Didn't tell you what they did with my problem. They first tried to have me run diagnostics, which turned up nothing. Then, I had to uninstall the drivers/software, and reinstall them (I believe it was the drivers and software... so many problems, I can't remember which time I did what!). Didn't work, and they came out to replace the ports.

[PookiePrincess]

Yes, it does have two USB ports...I don't know that I have tried one vs. the other. I will have to try that and will call Dell tomorrow!

Thanks for sharing!