I mistook the ethernet port for usb... Help!

Hi LucasBrooks,

I must admit, that's quite the impressive feat. Simply because, after reading your comment I decided to try and plug a USB cable into my Ethernet port and I can't even get it to go more than half way in. In looking at the I/O port area of the machine it's very clear what ports are what, especially when you consider that you've got 2 of the same port... which would make sense to have two USB ports (versus having 2 Ethernet ports).

I'd definitely try to verify the functionality of the Ethernet port, ASAP. They don't match up very well at all and if you really plugged it all the way in, I'd like to think there's a good chance you might have damaged the port.

Hi, Lucas, and welcome

indeed, you are probably the first to try this, and - with the exception of Jasonfear - the only one.
If you really plugged a USB cable into the Ethernet connector, you have at least damaged one of the two, for otherwise they wouldn't join. This might be either the cable connector, or the port on the MB - or both. If it's on the MB port, you certainly have a problem, and i would check with Apple.

if there is no visible damage, i would first check that the port still functions. Unless you had also managed to put some voltage supply on the USB cable, there would be no electrical damage, i would guess, as long as there is no physical damage.

hope this helps

thomas

Hi Lucas,

Unfortunately this isn't something that can be changed. The USB port and the RJ45 port are an international standard specification (in shape), so it's unlikely that Apple or any other computer manufacturer will change how they look.

With that being said, perhaps the reason they're not right next to one another on the I/O port row is for issues like this. You figure the Mini DisplayPort sits between the Ethernet and USB ports.

I didn't break the machine, thankfully, but I must admit I tried it on a dead Ethernet card (a USB cable) and I couldn't get it to fit in properly with significant force and when I finally did it cracked and damaged most of the Ethernet port that was on the receiving end.

Actually I think you may be talking about the FireWire port. (That is the one right next to the USB ports on my MacBook) And I must admit, I always end up trying to jam a USB cable into this port before realizing that I'm trying to stuff a USB jack into a FireWire port. And I agree that they shouldn't have been put right next to each other.

JasonFear wrote:
With that being said, perhaps the reason they're not right next to one another on the I/O port row is for issues like this. You figure the Mini DisplayPort sits between the Ethernet and USB ports.

Actually, Jason, on the Aluminum MacBooks ( not Pro), the port row is (L-R) power, ethernet, USB, USB, MDP, audio in, audio out. So the OP is right that the ethernet and USB are adjacent, just millimeters apart.

That being said, I can't fit a USB into my ethernet port more than just a tiny bit before I hit resistance, and I don't want to push any harder.

Jay Bullock wrote:
That being said, I can't fit a USB into my ethernet port more than just a tiny bit before I hit resistance, and I don't want to push any harder.

I tried gently - about as hard as I'd normally insert a USB connector. I couldn't get it to go in.

However - there could be some USB connectors that are a bit on the small size and some ethernet ports that are on the large side. Unless something is visibly damaged, I think it should be OK. One should be able to detect any cracking of the port or bending of the pins. For the most part ethernet ports don't have to be perfect. I've used plenty where there was a little bit of play and it still worked fine. For the most part the little notch for the release tab should self-center the port.

Jay,

Good point. I realize now looking at an aluminum MacBook next to the new 13" MacBook Pro that the FireWire port does "buffer" a bit. So I can definitely see where not looking and feeling first might cause this issue. Thanks for that clarification.

"They shouldn't make them look so much alike and right next to each other."

Who are "they"? Apple did not design the connectors. You cannot hold Apple responsible for your negligence.