My USB front port is probably not working correctly

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I am having problems with the computer not seeing my cell phone when it is plugged in using a USB -> Samsung A25 cell phone.

Some pics to help.

Can I unplug the USB 3.0 cable from the front socket?

I did find that my cable from the phone to the usb 3.0 slot was bad and was replaced.

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Antennas
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I think a lot of issues are due to hardware components failing or dirty connections.

I thoroughly cleaned the inside.

Including all fans, the "radiator" for the CPU, power supply, and the outer part of the platter hard drive disks.

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Hardware is just that. It can be there and not used, or you can use it.

If you want to unplug a cable from the front USB panel socket, and re-assign that cable to a rear/side/top USB panel socket, you are free to do that.

Depending on how old the components are, you may need to look at the cables to see if you see actual corrosion (from humidity in the air, given that you mentioned you lived in Texas). If there is corrosion, you will need to replace the cables, IF the sockets/plugs for the cables show no signs of corrosion. However, if you DO see signs of corrosion in you sockets/plugs for cables, then you have a hard decision to make on how to proceed. :frowning:

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Let's take things one step at a time.

I have 2 unused USB ports in the back.

They are probably USB 2.0 but that is O.k.

I do not think that thing in the back with the antennas is being used.

I am going to take it out unless there is some way to find if it is being used.

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Those could be one of 2 things:

  • integrated wireless internet antennas, or
  • antennas for a UHF/VHF antennas for an integrated TV reception interface.

Note that if it is for TV reception, if it cannot receive OTA (over-the-air) digital HDTV, then it is obsolete and can be considered the equivalent of a "door-stop".

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TP-Link300MbpsDual_Band2
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It is up for sale on Ebay.

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I think you said before that you had satellite internet which was likely plugged into an RJ-45 jack. So, yes, that card was superfluous at this point.

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