Very tight USB ports on M4400

Is anyone getting this issue too? You really have to jam the plug in to make them fit.

 

I don't know if this is similar to what' seen in the M1530 (the top left USB slot), but in any case, I would recommend not using too much force to fit in the USB devices.... it might break / damage the connections of the USB port inside.. For the M1530 (me and others too) have seen over time the slot gets easier to fit in.... but never use too much force or wiggle it too much... try using gentle, constant pressure to plug in stuff.. and in some time it should be fine, if its the similar issue seen in the M1530. Good luck. Cheers.

 

It is happening to all 3 USB ports, and I can't for the life of me fit the USB into the other eSATA port. Have tried every which way but it doesn't seem to fit at all.

 

OK i sort of figured out the USB ports there is a sweet angle that will make it fit most of the time without too much force. But the eSATA is the biggest problem. I have not managed to fit anything in it yet. Am I not supposed to fit USB in that port?

 

I've noticed that the USB ports on my E6400 are a tight fit compared with some notebooks and require a little more efford for insertion / removal. However, they all work fine.

John

 

I think you are kidding but just in case you're serious.

The answer is NO. The eSATA port is not for USB devices. The eSATA port is for external SATA connectors, like the ones you find on external HDD.

 

My E6400 has a combo USB/eSATA port. I've checked: Both plugs do fit. Isn't the M4400 the same?

John

 

@ John

Yes it's the same.

And I'm not joking. I think I will call Dell reps on this because it might mean that the board needs to be replaced. Not too sure what's inside so it could be pretty serious. I'll keep you all updated and if you have any suggestions on what to try, feel free to tell.

 

Maybe you could jam something thats non destructive in there that'll slowly expand the hole.

Or maybe heat will loosen the ports up? Not sure though.

 

I've left it on for an hour or two, but nothing seems to make it fit. I've even tried other devices and turning the item upside down (which i'm sure it wouldn't go in that way) just to see, but nothing... I really don't want to be jamming things in at this point, just so the techs can see that it wasn't due to me breaking it (they have a tendency to blame the customer first, it's never their fault)