MY NAME IS DIANE . I CANNOT USE MY USB PORT ON MY DELL INSPIRON 4000 LAPTOP BECAUSE ITS VERY LOOSE . I CAN SOMETIMES GET IT TO WORK BY HOLDING THE USB CABLE INTO THE PORT. CAN YOU TELL ME THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY IN FIXING THIS, AND CAN YOU GIVE ME INSTRUCTIONS ON FIXING THIS?

DIANE, June 2006

Try a new lead. Sometimes the ends of the leads wear and they don't fit as snug as they should and don't make good contact any longer. Also the little plastic retainer clip on the male socket wear in time. Its worth a try!

Ironman, April 2009

I don't know your machine as such but connnectors such as this are usually soldered onto the motherboard and/or daughterboards. If you are not skilled at soldering it is not a DIY proposition but a GOOD repairer should be able to fix it. BTW all the time it is flopping about the fault wil be getting worse.

Terry, June 2006