3.5mm jack into USB by mistake

[technodup]

As per title, I've stuck a headphone jack into a USB on my laptop. Died immediately and won't switch back on. I'm guessing I've shorted something but any clues as to how I fix it?

Or am I fked?

[WinstonWolf]

Most inappropriate username ever

[technodup]

WinstonWolf said:

Most inappropriate username ever

Unfortunately for me its a music reference although I do have a degree in technology and business. Still useless practically though.

[megaphone]

Can you remove the battery? If so give that a try, wait a few minutes for anything to 're-set' and try to switch on?

[Mr_S]

Look carefully into the USB slot, you may have bent one or more of the pins, the USB socket will be permanently screwed but if you straighten the pins and stop them touching each other or any metal the laptop will probably boot fine.

[FurtiveFreddy]

How do you even do that?

[technodup]

FurtiveFreddy said:

How do you even do that?

Unfortunately quite easily.

I've got most stuff backed up but it means I have to use the stupid tablet now. And I hate those things.

Its an Asus something, will be out of warranty. Needed a new one anyway so it'll speed that up.

[FurtiveFreddy]

technodup said:

Unfortunately quite easily.

I've got most stuff backed up but it means I have to use the stupid tablet now. And I hate those things.

Its an Asus something, will be out of warranty. Needed a new one anyway so it'll speed that up.

It's usually the stupid little things which write off laptops these days.

I think the most vulnerable sockets are the mini usb/hdmi type sockets. So many similar-looking fragile plugs and sockets on these things now!

[Luddite mode] Nothing wrong with 1/4" jacks and 'D' Types if you ask me [/Luddite mode]

[LeeThr]

I've found shorting the 2 middle pins on a usb port tends to cut out a pc.

Found this trick out in school, could really annoy people, "look over there" they turn there head, stick something metal across the two pins in the front usb socket by the time they look back all there left with is a black screen and have to boot up again

[Fetchez la vache]

Purity14 said:

LeeThr said:

I've found shorting the 2 middle pins on a usb port tends to cut out a pc.

Found this trick out in school, could really annoy people, "look over there" they turn there head, stick something metal across the two pins in the front usb socket by the time they look back all there left with is a black screen and have to boot up again

You had USB ports in school?

I have never felt old before.

I used the same "look over there" trick to shuffle peoples punch cards back in the day in computer class, or add more holes with a hole punch ...

(feeling younger now?)



I'm lying by the way...


...I used to run a magnet down their magnetic drum

[Bullett]

I used to hid their floppy (5.25") floppy discs.

At least until we can a network HDD. oh yes, 5mb of glorious storage for the networked BBC model B's.

[TurricanII]

technodup said:

I've got most stuff backed up...

It is also probably possible to remove the hard drive and use a USB caddy to attach it to another computer to get your stuff off. Or you can just attach the hard drive inside a normal sized computer as a slave.