is something wrong with my microphones usb port?

[simplebob]

i have the blue snowball and it cant connect to windows anymore, i dont know if its the cable or the port its self, i looked at some images and mine looks totally different. do i need to buy a new one?

would appreciate any type of help

 

[Steenamaroo]

It looks like there's a bit missing, and the pins are bent.

Shouldn't be too hard to fix if you can find the bit.
It's most likely stuck in your cable.




I'd recommend not plugging it in until you know it's fixed.
You could draw too much current quite easily.

 

[simplebob]

wow thanks for the fast reply, there's no bit inside my cable and yeah i guessed the pins were bent

is hope for me lost?

 

[Steenamaroo]

It's hard to know for sure.

I know I'd be taking it apart and trying to cannibalise a socket from somewhere else, but you may not want to do that.

It's probably not ideal, but if you're handy and know the pinout, you could certainly solder (and insulate!) all the conductors and have a hardwired usb lead.

If those don't appeal to you, I guess a tech place could fix it up for you. A computer repair shop, or the likes.

Here's a better pic for reference.
http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/jul06/images/bluesnowballback_l.jpg

 

[simplebob]

alright thanks for the help, guess i'll try taking it to some repair shop

 

[Steenamaroo]

Ok, cool.

Best of luck, and welcome to HR.

 

[mjbphotos]

Actually, what it looks like is the piece from your computer or interface (wherever you plug it in) as broken off INSIDE the mic's plug. Try plugging something else into the computer's jack.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I'm not sure I follow. The mic is his interface.
The other end of the cable (computer end) would be the slot style USB A.

Here's what the mic should look like.

http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/jul06/images/bluesnowballback_l.jpg

The cable that plugs in should be hollow.
http://static-cl1.vanilladev.com/makethecut.vanillaforums.com/uploads/FileUpload/14/12814.gif

 

[mjbphotos]

I'm not sure I follow. The mic is his interface.
The other end of the cable (computer end) would be the slot style USB A.

Here's what the mic should look like.

http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/jul06/images/bluesnowballback_l.jpg

Yep, and his picture does not look like that. But it also looks likes that white plastic is flush with the outside of the jack. Either there is somtehing jammed in there, or the 'tongue' is broken off and the whole assembly has got pulled out towards the edge.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I don't see it.
That white outer is crimped in place my the metal faceplate.

The white inner is missing.



Op, I'm just thinking should you find the missing plastic block, you could actually put it back in yourself.

You'd have to glue the back of the block before you slot it in, and you'd also have to make sure you poke the tips of all four pins into the white block before you push it home.
That gives them a little bit of spring for good contact with the conductors in the cable.

 

[Steenamaroo]

What gave it away?