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Author Modify 8400 front usb ports and phone jack to make them accessible?
David Ellis

2005-02-19, 11:45 pm

The computer sits on the floor under a table. To plug into the
headphone jack I have to get on the floor and use a mechanic's mirror.
I can't use an extension because the inserted plug mutes line-out. If
the jack pointed up instead of down that might help.

The USB ports have surrounding plastic that prevents the insertion of
any of my USB connectors. Did an engineer actually get paid to design
this?

Has anyone succeeded in modifying the 8400 to make these jacks
accessible? What did you do?

--David
William P.N. Smith

2005-02-19, 11:45 pm

David Ellis <> wrote:
>The computer sits on the floor under a table. To plug into the
>headphone jack I have to get on the floor and use a mechanic's mirror.
>I can't use an extension because the inserted plug mutes line-out. If
>the jack pointed up instead of down that might help.


How about an external switch box for headphones/speaker?
CyberGuys(.com) carries such a beast.

>The USB ports have surrounding plastic that prevents the insertion of
>any of my USB connectors. Did an engineer actually get paid to design
>this?


Yeah, Dell really fell down on some of their front USB port designs.
The Optiplex GX270 not only had them at an angle, but "upside-down" as
well. Get an extension cable or a small hub.

tellme

2005-02-20, 4:46 pm

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 17:14:04 -0800, David Ellis <> wrote:

>The computer sits on the floor under a table. To plug into the
>headphone jack I have to get on the floor and use a mechanic's mirror.
>I can't use an extension because the inserted plug mutes line-out. If
>the jack pointed up instead of down that might help.
>
>The USB ports have surrounding plastic that prevents the insertion of
>any of my USB connectors. Did an engineer actually get paid to design
>this?
>
>Has anyone succeeded in modifying the 8400 to make these jacks
>accessible? What did you do?
>
>--David


What a wonderful question. I am awaiting the answer. Ever since Dell
decided to make this wonderful exercise equipment I have to stand on
my head to get to it hence don't even bother to use it.


tellme

2005-02-20, 4:46 pm

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 20:35:16 -0500, William P.N. Smith wrote:

>David Ellis <> wrote:
>
>How about an external switch box for headphones/speaker?
>CyberGuys(.com) carries such a beast.
>
>
>Yeah, Dell really fell down on some of their front USB port designs.
>The Optiplex GX270 not only had them at an angle, but "upside-down" as
>well. Get an extension cable or a small hub.



I got a hub.


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