Vaio AW31XY/Q USB Failure

[dorsetred]

I'm hoping someone can advise on a problem which occurred this morning.

My girlfriend switched on the laptop, when using Fingerprint recognition she told me she thought she felt a slight kick from static electricity and as a result it stopped working plus the three USB ports also stopped working. I rebooted the laptop and logged in manually using my Windows password without any difficulties tried my USB Wireless Mouse but reported USB not recognised item, similar problem encountered with my Plantronics Headset for VOIP.

User manual states the following: -

"Static electricity may cause the fingerprint sensor to malfunction"

Laptop has MS Windows 7 (64-Bit) installed.

Can someone please advise if I can overcome the problem or is it probable I may have a Hardware failure which necessitates visiting my local Sony Centre?

Many thanks

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

If the USB Controller has taken a static hit you are probably going to need to contact Sony Support for a repair.

You can try discharging any static from the motherboard by unplugging the AC adapter, remove the battery and hold down the power button for 30 seconds.y.  Boot on AC power only and see if this helps - a long shot I'm afraid.

Temporarily, you could purchase an ExpressCard34 to USB card but a repair is probably the long term answer.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=usb+expresscard&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=4534513...

[dorsetred]

I've followed your suggestion and as a result am delighted in that my laptop is now fully restored and back in total working order.

I'm now on my 3rd Sony Laptop and despite the odd problem here and there during the past ten years of so I wouldn't consider buying any other type of laptop, mind you I doubt there's anything available to beat this one.

Thanks again for your invaluable advice which was greatly appreciated.

[Blencogo]

That's great news.

Thank you for the feedback.