UBS cable malfunctioning-help!

[evatgirl73]

Hi all! Long time no see..... haven't had time for any "quality" photography in a while, LOL! Anyways, I figured this would be the place to find help with this issue: My youngest daughter stuck my USB cable in her mouth, and now it says "usb device has malfunctioned and windows doesn't recognise it" when I stick it in the computer. This happened once before but fixed itself shortly thereafter (when the cable got dry??). This time it seems the cable has bitten the big one, since the incident was yesterday and it's still not working at all. Am I stuck buying a new one, for $50 I might add, yikes..??? Or is there any way to fix this? Help please!
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!! (besides "keep the kid away from your stuff", didn't work, LOL!)
Eva

[evatgirl73]

Oooops, might help to say that this is the cable between the camera & computer that I use to download images with. Sorry 'bout that!

[SmartWombat]

I hope it was the computer end she chewed on, not the camera end ... usually the plug that goes in the camera is smaller and harder to get into and clean out.

I'd suggest getting a card reader instead of using the camera.
You still need a USB cable, but one usually comes with the reader (mine did).
Why?
It's usually faster than reading from the camera
It doesn't run down the camera battery
It wouldn't be unplugged, leaves no loose cable for a kiddie snack

BUT if money's tight, if the cable isn't damaged (check for teeth marks) then you may be able to clean the contacts in the plugs and make it go again.
Saliva and electronics don't mix too well (coke/pepsi is far worse!) and if she'd been eating food before the cable then there could be residue of any kind of stuff on the plug.

You may have to make something (using lens tissue wrapped round a toothpick ought to work) to get in the plug and wipe the contacts clean.
Distilled/deionised water is fine, either battery top up water or steam iron water is sold in the UK and fine for getting out the worst.of the muck.
If you haven't got electronic contact cleaner, then lens cleaner will do for the final degreasing in a pinch.

Good luck !

[evatgirl73]

Thanks Paul! Of COURSE it was the smaller camera end she chewed on... :rolling eyes:. I don't see anything there at all, it was plugged in to the computer but not the camera when she did it. I have tried cleaning it very gently, I'll try again.... and if it still doesn't work I probably will go get a cardreader. Thanks for reminding me of that option! Now, do they make any that take different media, because I have several different types of memory cards..? Off to check! Thanks again!
Eva

[another view]

I second the recommendation for the card reader. They do have multi-purpose ones that fit several types of media - it might make your life easier too.

But $50 for a USB cable? I'll sell you one for $49! Really, that's like highway robbery. It's probably nothing special and any computer store should have one for a fraction of that price. Bring the old one with to make sure you get the right one.

[Asylum Steve]

But $50 for a USB cable? I'll sell you one for $49!

USB cables cost next to nothing. I must have close to a dozen lying around from hardware I've bought over the last couple of years. Check out Radio Shack...