external keyboard/mouse with no usb ports working

Hi All,

I think my answer is 'out of luck' but I have to ask in 'hope'.

 

I have a new 8600C (jan).  The one that does not have a ps/2 port. Or any infrared that I can see.....Both my USB ports at the back are dead and it will be 4 weeks before I can get to a place where Dell can come and fix my laptop.

 

I would very much like to find out if there is any other way to get an external keyboard/mouse working.......

 

(I'm pretty keen on finding out if this is possible as my left hand is slowly cooking on the disk drive and I have a slight case of RSI so I like soft key external keyboards..)

 

I see the firewire port on the left and I also see a USB sign on the right but covered over by a plastic cover. I assume there is no USB port inside it or it would be open. 

 

Can anyone tell me if there is any other way to get an external keyboard/mouse plugged into an 8600C?

 

Thanks

 

Peter