Question for the computer-saavy readers: is it possible for a USB port to go bad? I use one of my USB ports extensively for iPods, my iPhone, and for an external hard drive. Tonight, anything I plug in has acted sporadically. With the hard drive plugged in, Windows gives me cryptic “cannot fully write” messages. With the iPod Shuffle plugged in, it repeatedly recognizes the hardware, then disconnects, then recognizes, then disconnects. A minute ago it told me that my brand new iPod Shuffle (which I successfully put music on when it did connect) may be corrupted. It’s all very strange, and makes me suspect the USB port rather than the two different items being plugged in.
On another topic, could Chip Caray possibly be any more biased in announcing the Indians-Yankees game? I know he’s a Caray, so maybe that’s how he ended up becoming a baseball announcer. It certainly isn’t because he’s pleasant to listen to. Last night all he talked about was New York. When they were batting, he talked about the batter. When Cleveland was batting, he talked about the pitching. When Cleveland scores, he sounds almost bored. But if the Yankees score? He’s screaming and yelling about “and here come the Yankees!”
Dear Chip Caray,
Please remove your lips from New York’s butt.
Love, Sarah
I’m not a computer guy, but I’ve had two different USB ports on my computer do the exact same thing. My fix was….
Remove all usb cables. For me it was: garmin, ipod, and my treo. (They all had their own usb cables). If you’re using XP, on the bottom right side of the screen close all associated applications (itunes, training center etc). Shut computer completely down (not a soft restart), including interent. In my case, I made an attempt to clean the usb ports while it was off. Reboot computer. Plug in one item. Search for device updates. Search for software updates. Download needed updates. Repeat with each device.
No promises, but it worked for me. My buddy told me this happens when the device and software have conflicting data. For example, you update itunes, but forget to update your actual ipod.
Good luck!?!?!?!
Hey, his name is Caray, not the same as mine. He can kiss Yankee butt all he wants to now. Go Tribe, beat Red Sox!
I dunno if a USB port can go bad, but I’ve been having problems with my iPod too. Whenever I try to sync more than 50 files, it completely locks up my entire computer and I have no choice but to do a hard reboot. Eventually all the rebooting messed up my iPod and I had to wipe it clean and start over again…..syncing 60+ GB worth of songs/podcasts only 50 files at a time. Took me three days.
I did try Bill’s strategy of changing USB ports, and it would work….for a while. I blame Microsoft. bleh.
Sorry Joe! Would never lump you in with a crappy announcer. 🙂 Consider it fixed…
Coming from someone who ought know….
🙂
Yes, a USB port absolutely can go bad. It’s why I use USB hubs. That way if the port dies, all I have to do is plug the hub into another port.
It shouldn’t happen, and I hope you’re under warranty…but it’s entirely possible for it to happen (same as any other piece inside the box).