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Optiplex 3050 rear USB 3 Ports
I have an Optiplex 3050 mini-tower that has 2 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the cabinet. I have a USB drive plugged into one of the rear USB 3.0 ports. This weekend I noticed there was no power going to the USB drive. It seems that if I wiggle the cord, the drive will power up. Turning the PC around, I noticed that the USB 3.0 ports look really strange. The one I was using does not have a blue or white piece of plastic in it, the pins are just hanging in the air. The other has a piece of metal protruding into it such that nothing can be plugged in. Honestly, I never looked at the ports when I got the PC, just plugged the USB drive in. Is this bad parts installed during the manufacture of the motherboard?
JOcean
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12.3K Posts
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September 24th, 2019 13:00
It would seem that the USB ports may be defective and/or the IO shield has been installed in such a way as to interfere with the USB 3.0 ports. The metal protruding that you described sure sounds like the ground straps on the IO shield are grounding or obstructing the port. If the system is under warranty I suggest you call Dell tech support for your region and they can help out. If not under warranty you might try removing the MB screws and pulling the MB out enough so you can move the IO straps out of the way. Although as you describe the port "missing the blue plastic", that could be a defective port and have nothing to do with the IO shield. Only a MB replacement would cure that.
Does it look like any of the following pictures?
https://www.google.com/search?q=IO+shield+interferes+with+USB+port&safe=active&client=firefox-b-d&sxsrf=ACYBGNToMvWUI7eh_p6IvVe_LvhfvYFrVg:1569356833169&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=xMgeWJKNjfbE6M%253A%252CtrQFWyhnYzL5uM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTBFejONxCWANRyza0i-qRI-vegoA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFhcTkperkAhXlT98KHTOFCngQ9QEwBXoECAkQBg#imgrc=xMgeWJKNjfbE6M:
Thereisntone
3 Posts
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September 24th, 2019 13:00
No, it doesn't look like any of the USB ports in those pictures. I'll take a picture of it when I get home and post it.
Thereisntone
3 Posts
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September 24th, 2019 16:00
Here's the image of the USB ports...
bradthetechnut
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8.5K Posts
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September 27th, 2019 21:00
By any chance did you just buy your 3050 used or refurb? I'm betting not refurb. Did it come with anything for a return policy? I'd be tempted to return or exchange it.
Without the little blue cap keeping connectors in place, it looks like a short waiting to happen.