broken usb ports on graphite iMac

[ewsjr]

So my sister has a fully operational graphite iMac sitting in a box because her children ruined both usb ports by yanking the connecting cords out of the ports over and over. (they can't connect the keyboard and mouse anymore.) I've been told that it might be more expensive to have the ports repaired than the computer is actually worth. It's still a great little computer so I was wondering since both firewire ports are fine, could an firewire/usb combo be used to bring the machine back to life. Could she connect a firewire cable to the computer and then to the hub, then plug the keyboard into the usb input on the hub? Would that work. I would appreciate any helpful suggestions.

[gehrbox]

Could she connect a firewire cable to the computer and then to the hub, then plug the keyboard into the usb input on the hub? Would that work. I would appreciate any helpful suggestions.

Don't think so. The OS is looking at the USB ports for keyboard and mouse not the firewire ports.

[Dmac77]

Trash it. Tell your sister to go get a new iMac, and to not let the kids use it.

Don

[kaiwai]

Trash it. Tell your sister to go get a new iMac, and to not let the kids use it.

Don

And give the kids a boot up the behind each. If I did something like that, I would have had a leather strap on the behind.

[Dmac77]

And give the kids a boot up the behind each. If I did something like that, I would have had a leather strap on the behind.

Very true. I'm only 14 and I once broke the USB ports on our Dell when I was 7, Plus I wasn't even allowed to use that computer ($3000 workstation), but I did after school when my parents weren't home. My Dad belted me hard for that (thought that I would never sit down again) and I was grounded for two weeks. Taught me a good lesson though:D. I would also recommend that your sister belt her kids for breaking that poor machine.

Don

[ewsjr]

thanks for the info. well, maybe it's time to put it out of its misery and make it an aquarium.

[Apple Ink]

You might want to search for a firewire to USB hub (rare thing Im sure)

For your keyboard and Mouse, try bluetooth!

[gehrbox]

You might want to search for a firewire to USB hub (rare thing Im sure)

For your keyboard and Mouse, try bluetooth!

The iMac he is talking about does not have bluetooth capability.

[Dmac77]

Good idea, an aquarium will be a good use of it. I think i've heard about people making beer servers out of them to, although that might have been a Power Mac G4.

Don

[zmttoxics]

If it were me, I would use some flux + copper strand, de-solder the existing connectors from the logic board, and buy / salvage some news to solder back on.

But that's just me and i have a pretty good electronics background.