USB plugs...I ALWAYS get them the wrong way up

[daniel_owen_uk]

They could have designed them to work both ways :|

[Howard]

ALWAYS Zak I feel your pain.
EVERY time I plug in a USB device it's the wrong way up. Hacks me off big-time

[Agent]

ermmm... how the hell can you physicaly get them in the wrong way ?

I cant, even if i try to force them !!

[bertie]

Have to agree with this one, I ALWAYS get the bloody thing in the wrong way round, fumbling around at the back for ages

[Steve]

Why can't they use Phono? Probably because everything isn't serial yet, even USB ports got four connections.

Um, technically they have 5, and USB IS serial. USB stands for Universal SERIAL Bus.

Two wires are for power - that's why your USB thumb drive doesn't need a DC adaptor or a molex connection.

Two wires are for data - powering devices from data cables... well that just isn't logically possible.

The final wire is wired to ground and is for overvoltage.

Edit - and oh yeah, I seem to have an intuition with USB connectors, with one exception: When I'm in a RUSH, then my intuition fails me.

[Tumble]

I am getting better at it, but 90% of pluggings fail miserably

[MrFlibble]

I'm sooo glad someone else has mentioned this - I thought it was just me!
Why is it that all the old plugs (eg, Centronics, Phono, good old Din plugs etc) were totally unambiguous. Cumbersome maybe, but at least they only fitted one way round. And yet all the new stuff is hopelessly fiddly? Don't make sense, that.

[Agent]

ok, now im worried.

What kinda of USB plugs are you using ?
EVERY one i have, can only be fitted in ONE way ?!?! o_0

[Howard]

No Agent dear we're talking about attempting to plug them in. Well I am at least. First time, they're always the wrong way round .

[Tumble]

/\ what Howard said... it's the "WHy won't this blasted plug go into my computer.. aaarrrghh!! oh... [meek] I have attempted to plug in the USB cable the wrong way round [/meek]"

[floppybootstomp]

Um, technically they have 5, and USB IS serial. USB stands for Universal SERIAL Bus.

Two wires are for power - that's why your USB thumb drive doesn't need a DC adaptor or a molex connection.

Two wires are for data - powering devices from data cables... well that just isn't logically possible.

The final wire is wired to ground and is for overvoltage.

Edit - and oh yeah, I seem to have an intuition with USB connectors, with one exception: When I'm in a RUSH, then my intuition fails me.

You're absolutely right and I have now strapped myself to an arse-kicking machine for 30 minutes

But they still got four, er five, connections, which a standard two core phono plug couldn't handle (squirm).

[Jonny M]

can you imagine trying to put 25 poles on a phono plug? it'd be mad.. you'd have to have 13 different plugs.. i imagine putting that in would take a damn site longer than simply flipping yer parallel cable in..

could do 4 pole 3.5mm jack for usb thou.. that'd work nicely..

Apart from when you were pulling it in / out and sent 5v down the signal line . . .

[Nick]

I always use a good quality USB device, this always has the USB symbol printed on the topside which comes in as no good at all when your front USB ports are on their sides. In these cases I find a good quality hammer and a screwdriver are essential.

First, widen the offending port with the screwdriver by wedging it in and giving it a good bend in all directions. Now take the USB plug and beat it flat with the hammer. (its best to do this on the nicely varnished dining table, that way you can see the imprint of the original plug, useful if you need to beat it back to its original shape)

Once you've widened the port and flattened the plug, it should all fit together nicely.

***BIG NOTE*** : Make sure you install the drivers for the device BEFORE plugging it into the port or it may not work properly.

Also, you may find that a sturdy pair of pliers will ome in handy for removing the plug. I have found that dipping it in vegetable oil before inserting or giving it a good coating of butter (you can use margerine or lard too), actually makes the removal process much easier.

Happy gaming!





(for the sake of reasoning, (and to cover myself from possible legal reprisals from people with broken PCs bent out of shape and covered in oil), this post IS A JOKE! OK?

[TiG]

Heh guys follow the 9pin, 25pin setup, and do it while not looking, your brain _should_ be able to feel the resistance accordingly and then you are trying to put them in the wrong way up.

Only one thing I can think of you guys must be struggling with is your big clumpsy hands - as like agent says I couldn't ever force it in the wrong way, it you feel something in the way just turn it round.

Trying to push it in square also helps.

TiG

[dpm]

Deckard's post made me think - there IS a simple answer to this problem that plagues me, one thought up by NASA for their Mars landers: Butter.

Simply 'install' a thin layer of butter on the underneath surface and let gravity be your guide.
Should you still find difficulties then you should move onto more advanced measures: strapping an entire pre-buttered slice of toast to the bottom of the damn plug

[Nick]

Yes, but this doesn't solve the problem of what to do when the socket is vertical, like it is on my two front ports...