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Released April 2010 / 2.4, 2.53 GHz Core i5 or 2.66 GHz Core i7 Processors

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Having USB connection problems

So i have a macbook pro 15" unibody mid 2010 with an i7 2.66 ghz and as u can tell from the description im having usb problems. Anything i plug into my macbook doesn't get detected at all. I tried re-installing osx to see if it was a software error, but it didn't work. Unfortunately im not under warranty anymore. So i was wondering if its a hardware problem, do i have to replace the whole logic board and if its a good idea to do it myself or to see if apple will fix it for me?

also does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to have my macbook repaired?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Hi, Looking at the teardown for your computer it would appear the USB ports are soldered to the logic board. From the sound of your problem the controller chip for the USB ports may be defective. This would require a logic board replacement but I would have a Apple store "genius" check it out. There may be some kind of exception that would allow a warranty repair since you appear to be just out of the normal warranty. Good luck.

MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 Teardown

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Before you go soldering and replacing anything, take a look at the USB port and see if the tiny metal prongs are lifting properly or if there is an obstruction in the port. Try blowing it out with compressed air.

If that doesn't do the trick, you may want to try something I did that worked for me. Please note, I am not a computer repair person and I tried it because I figured if the USB didn't work with an easy do-it-youself fix I'd be into an expensive repair bill.

I noticed that the metal prongs at the bottom of the USB port were lying flatter than in some of my other devices. I took a toothpick (the round kind that was stronger and sloped wider) and gently pried the metal prongs upward by GENTLY pushing the round toothpick under each one.

The results were strange at first. The USB ports both started working well but after a day, connectivity was hit and miss. I did it again the following day and got good results and then connectivity began to get choppy. So I gave up. After two more days without doing another thing the USB ports started to work and have performed very well for the past six months. The only issue is that the USB plugs need to be pushed in securely and movement of the laptop may cause a disconnection.

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Justin Ahn will be eternally grateful.
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