Introduction: Paint Your USB Ports
I can't see which direction I need to plug in my USB devices and ports. So I will be painting them.
Step 1: Step 1: Tape Off Your Ports
Get some tape and tape them off. Painters tape is great, but any will work.
Step 2: Step 2: Paint
Paint the little plastic piece inside of the USB ports. I used a Testors paint pen.
Step 3: Results: Nice
Genius!!!! Now I can see in dim lighting which direction I need to plug in my devices.
Why were those USB ports black anyway?
Notes: You could use silver, white, or gold paint with better results.
Step 4: Other Tweaks
You might have noticed that my NIC connection and 56k connection have connectors in them.
I was watching my girlfriend try to plug the power connector into the NIC! So I decided that something must be done. The wonderful engineers at HP decided putting the NIC right next to the power connector was a great idea.
I used new connectors and plugged them in. For the NIC I used a new connector but cut it in half so it doesn't stick out.
14 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
USB-the only rectangle plug it take 3 tries before you find the correct way to plug it in.
10 years ago
You could also use tiny strips of reflective tape.
11 years ago on Introduction
This is a fabulous idea. One slight tweak, you could paint the ports with glow in the dark paint to make them show up a little better. Either way, I am going to do this to my laptop.
14 years ago on Introduction
Good idea. I often think the USB developers disregard the phisical configuration. Really, USB ports are very cumbersome to use.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Beats making sure pins dont get bent, then screwing it in!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thats what she said!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Go away now.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Ooh, burn.....
14 years ago on Introduction
hehe. girlfriends are funny.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i must say i do agree...oh the hilarity of plugging a square ethernet into a round sound jack (?!?!?!)
14 years ago on Introduction
I would not suggest using silver, gold, or any metallic paint, because if you screw up and paint the contacts you could mess up your hardware
14 years ago on Introduction
Hp compaq 6820s ?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
HP Compaq 6720s
14 years ago on Introduction
It's a good idea, (although most of the time I have trouble the ports are around the back....) Have you marked the USB plugs, or is it obvious which way up they are?
L