First of all, I have only had my M1300 for about

aarondahl · 01-09-2005, 02:05 AM

First of all, I have only had my M1300 for about 6 weeks or so and I am amazed. This thing is great! One small issue however, I have an MP3 player (Creative MuVo) which I bought specifically because it doesn't use a cable for the USB connections & I want to carry around as little stuff as I can. The problem though is that it does not fit past the rubber edge guard on my Tablet. If I could somehow turn the USB port upside-down this issue would be resolved. I started to take it apart this morning, but want to make sure I'll be able to put it all back together again, so I held off. If the ports are soldered to a board, I won't miss with it, but if it is a simple screw connection, I would flip one of the ports. Does anyone know whether this is even possible?

JCP777 · 01-09-2005, 02:32 AM

I don't know if the following link would help but the FlexUSB connectors might be a solution.
http://www.flexusb.com/
Hope this helps.

aarondahl · 01-09-2005, 02:36 AM

that is a putty neat gadget, I have also thought of a simple 12" USB extender - but that isn't quite as neat and tidy as simply sticking the MuVo directly into the port.

Thanks though.

Jim Artis · 01-09-2005, 02:40 AM

Hi aarondahl,

You have a solution. I am not in favor of you modifying either your M1300 or your MP3 player. There are short USB extender cables that may better ease what you are trying to achieve. But, consider this--Wireless USB http://deviceforge.com/articles/AT9015145687.html

If it works for you, you eliminate the modification & the possibility of a short cable. A wireless USB search string in your browser will give you many hits for more information on the technology and products.

I hope this is a step toward a solution for you...

ChrisParis · 01-09-2005, 03:09 AM

I would follow Jim's advice. I believe the USB jacks are soldered in place, not just screwed in. I know this is true for most laptops, and I believe that I saw this in the M1300 the last time I took mine apart. (I lost my car keys and had to look everywhere.)

Using one of those mini extenders is definitely a plus. One of my colleagues has an M1400 and got one with some peripheral device, but she uses it all the time for everything, just to give her that extra flexibility. I may steal it from her one day when she's out sick.

JCP, do you know if the FlexUSB thingy is short enough to work with the Motion when it is latched onto the hardtop keyboard?

aarondahl · 01-09-2005, 03:39 AM

Thank you, the wireless USB is cool, but I think for right now, I'll just pickup an extender. Also, do you know if there is an easy way to remove just this rubber edge? I may also be able to find a PCMCIA USB card which would work- think I could find one cheap at EBay.

JCP777 · 01-09-2005, 03:42 AM

Chris,
The FlexUSB does not work very well with the HTKeyboard. The adapter when flexed up and to the left covers the F9, F10, and Num Lock keys.

Do you know if there is a flexible ethernet adapter? When using the HTKB, the ethernet connector is almost too long.

I probably should get the docking port. It would solve these problems.

liquidblaze · 01-09-2005, 03:54 AM

quote:Originally posted by ChrisParis
I know this is true for most laptops, and I believe that I saw this in the M1300 the last time I took mine apart. (I lost my car keys and had to look everywhere.)

Now, I know I've lost a great many things but ... is it actually possible for your car key to "slip" into your tablet? Considering that most car keys have a ring on them and sometimes even more than one key on the chain ...

man - a key that could have slipped into the tablet. that's a first :-)

ChrisParis · 01-09-2005, 07:57 AM

Liquid, you should have seen what I did to my cell phone that time I lost my dog. The poor thing didn't make it.

While you're pondering that scenario, let me get to Aaron's question:

Both side protectors come off pretty easily. (Motion, for some reason, tells you the one with the jacks on it doesn't, but it's the same for both sides.)

There are little tabs along the sides of the protectors that hold them into place. If you go REAL GENTLY with a tiny, flathead screwdriver, you can pry up the edge and see them. Press in gently at each one, and continue as you go around. Some will come out real easily, others might be tricky. THE TABS BREAK VERY EASILY, THOUGH. On one of my M1300's a lot of the little tabs are broken just from everyday use, not even from trying to take the sides off.

Having said all that, there isn't much reason to take them off in the first place unless you are (a) replacing them or (b) taking the unit apart completely. (You have to remove the side strips to open the tablet.)

Jim Artis · 01-09-2005, 08:26 AM

OK aarondahl,

You are welcome. It looks like you are all set. The extender cable is a good option and should you choose to open your M1300, ChrisParis has told you how. I do not think there will be anything there to modify. I have not seen USB ports that are screwed on to the motherboard. On PCMCIA USB ports, I don't think you will find them too expensive.

Enjoy...