USB port broken, what can be done?

[slippy88]

Chassis & Display	Octane Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080) + G-Sync
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ i9 Eight Core Processor i9-9900K (3.6GHz) 16MB Cache
Memory (RAM)	64GB Corsair 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (4 x 16GB)
Graphics Card	NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2080 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive	1TB Samsung 860 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)

I've had a bit of a nightmare today and looking for advice as I am not very knowledgable about PCs/Laptops. My laptop was in my bag, and it fell off a chair. The USB receiver for the mouse hit the ground and wedged into the USB slot. It hit it hard so the USB slot has been knocked back on the motherboard. I managed to pull the receiver out and took a look inside please see attached for a pic.

1) Does this USB slot look like it might cause problems if I leave it like this, eg short circuting?
2) Is there anything that can be done about this, can PC Specialist replace this USB slot?
3) If it can't be repaired, is it possible for PCS to replace the motherboard? Can they take the i9 CPU and graphics card off of the current mother board and place on a new one?
4) When I opened up the laptop to try and get a closer look I removed the Fans/ Heatsinks, the thermal paste seal was broken as pictured. Do I need to reapply some more or will it be ok putting it back together as it was? The paste was still gooey.

 

[slippy88]

Edit- Thermal paste picture for question 4. If I need to reapply the paste what can you recommend as the customer service guy said only the factory one is good enough.

 

[Oussebon]

4) When I opened up the laptop to try and get a closer look I removed the Fans/ Heatsinks, the thermal paste seal was broken as pictured. Do I need to reapply some more or will it be ok putting it back together as it was? The paste was still gooey.

You've taken the heatsink off. You need to repaste. If you just put it back on, you'll end up with an uneven application at best, with llikely air bubbles. You need to clean all that paste off and do a repaste.

People here seem to recommend thermal grizzly a lot.

 

[ubuysa]

As above with the paste, IMO you must clean and repaste.

Regarding the broken USB socket, it's hard to see anything in that photo, but I would call PCS and find out what your options are and what the relative costs are likely to be. I would be tempted to send it back to PCS for them to confirm whether it will work ok in the state it's in, or whether the broken USB socket is going to cause problems. I suspect that if it's fatally broken they will need to replace the motherboard - and that will be expensive.

BTW. If you decide to do nothing and just use it as it is, I would never ever leave the laptop turned on and unattended - there is a potential fire risk there...

Is it likely to be covered by any insurance that you have...house insurance, travel insurance, personal insurance, etc.?

 

[slippy88]

As above with the paste, IMO you must clean and repaste.

Regarding the broken USB socket, it's hard to see anything in that photo, but I would call PCS and find out what your options are and what the relative costs are likely to be. I would be tempted to send it back to PCS for them to confirm whether it will work ok in the state it's in, or whether the broken USB socket is going to cause problems. I suspect that if it's fatally broken they will need to replace the motherboard - and that will be expensive.

BTW. If you decide to do nothing and just use it as it is, I would never ever leave the laptop turned on and unattended - there is a potential fire risk there...

Is it likely to be covered by any insurance that you have...house insurance, travel insurance, personal insurance, etc.?

• Do you know if its possible to remove the CPU and graphics card so PCS can replace just the motherboard and not these too?

• Thanks I made sure it is completely off when unattended as thats the main thing I am worried about a short circuit or fire as the USB is knocked right back in

• I've got laptop/gadget insurance with Endsleigh for accidental damage they are the only ones who had "over £2000" value option, so going to wait for PCS to let me know what they think then will most likely make a claim.

 

[ubuysa]

• Do you know if its possible to remove the CPU and graphics card so PCS can replace just the motherboard and not these too?

I don't know because I don't work for PCS but I'd think it vanishingly unlikely because they wouldn't then be able to test the new motherboard.

• Thanks I made sure it is completely off when unattended as thats the main thing I am worried about a short circuit or fire as the USB is knocked right back in

Fire would be my main worry.

• I've got laptop/gadget insurance with Endsleigh for accidental damage they are the only ones who had "over £2000" value option, so going to wait for PCS to let me know what they think then will most likely make a claim.

That is good news! Let us know how it goes please?

 

[slippy88]

I don't know because I don't work for PCS but I'd think it vanishingly unlikely because they wouldn't then be able to test the new motherboard.

I mean in general are CPUs and graphics cards built into laptop motherboards or removable? I mean to keep the costs down PCS could buy a motherboard without the CPU or graphics card on then move my components from the broken motherboard over.

 

[ubuysa]

I mean in general are CPUs and graphics cards built into laptop motherboards or removable? I mean to keep the costs down PCS could buy a motherboard without the CPU or graphics card on then move my components from the broken motherboard over.

I'm pretty sure they would reuse your CPU and GPU if they replaced the motherboard.

via Tapatalk

 

[Rakk]

I'm pretty sure they would reuse your CPU and GPU if they replaced the motherboard.

Though dependent on the motherboard, the GPU may be soldered on (don't know whether it is or isn't for the Octane), in which they'd use a new motherboard with a GPU soldered on it as well I guess. If it's not soldered on and is therefore changeable then yes as Ubuysa says they'd more than likely reuse the current one.

 

[Oussebon]

I believe the CPU and GPU are removable on the Octane, unlike most laptops where they're not.

PCS would be likely to reuse them if at all possible. So hopefully that would keep the cost of the repair down a bit, though of course a replacement motherboard for a laptop won't be cheap.

 

[phitol]

To be honest, replacing a USB socket is within the realms of any good technician at a repair shop. See Louis Rossman on youtube (He repairs Macbooks primarily) where changing USB sockets is a common occurrence.

However most PC manufacturers/suppliers would probably want to change the motherboard at great cost because they don't have the resource to offer specialised repair in this way.

I'd do as suggested, contact PCS first, they may indicate that motherboard replacement is the only option and at what cost. If its consderable, I'd find a good local repair shop and at least let them have a look, if they can fix it for considerably less it's probably worth it as there is little downside. If that fails, then you know the cost of an entire motherboard replacement.

And yes, you'll need to replace the paste as mentioned, and I also agree Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is very popular

 

[Oussebon]

Finding a good local repair shop can be its own challenge. And it would be worth getting PCS's blessing in case that affects the warranty down the line.

But it's certainly an option to keep in mind.

 

[phitol]

Finding a good local repair shop can be its own challenge. And it would be worth getting PCS's blessing in case that affects the warranty down the line.

But it's certainly an option to keep in mind.

Absolutely, PCS should be the first point of contact. Only if they come back with a £300-£500 motherboard replacement cost would I carefully weigh up an £80 repair at a good repair centre as an alternative.

You never know, PCS might have some sanctioned repair service (which would be awesome for accidental damage) where they will still honour the original warranty once repaired.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Absolutely, PCS should be the first point of contact. Only if they come back with a £300-£500 motherboard replacement cost would I carefully weigh up an £80 repair at a good repair centre as an alternative.

You never know, PCS might have some sanctioned repair service (which would be awesome for accidental damage) where they will still honour the original warranty once repaired.

The last time we had a quote on a laptop motherboard replacement it was a lot better than I expected, can’t remember what model it was though.