I have a Samsung laptop that's about 3 years old. About 2 months ago the laptop shut itself down abrubtly. Since then no USB or Bluetooth devices work. Windows (10) doesn't recognize that the system has any bluetooth adapter installed. Certain items are MISSING from my device manager under USB devices as well.

After taking it to a few repair shops, testing with a Ubuntu boot disk and reinstalling windows, the current likely conclusion is that the USB controllers on the motherboard are bad.

I don't rightly KNOW what that means. What I do know is that the motherboard costs 1000 dollars, and I can't afford to replace that. No repair shops in town will try. I have a little skill with a soldering iron. Is this something I can replace or resolder myself? Where can I find the chips I need on the board? Where can I buy replacements? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Often I hear the windows "device found" "device disconnected" noises as though a usb stick were loose in a usb port. This makes me think that perhaps it just needs a resolder.

The motherboard's model is Samsung Electronics 700Z3C/700Z5C CPU Socket U3E1
The laptop model is NP700Z5C-S01UBHi
Have you checked the USB ports for damage . If any ports are damaged and you should be able to see damage, the port could short which will cause an over current CONDITION thus causing the chip to get damaged or for that device to be disabled.
If you could supply the exact model number of the Samsung I will check the Circuit Diagram for how that part of the motherboard works. And then should be able to diagnose what could be faulty.

 The motherboard's model is Samsung Electronics 700Z3C/700Z5C CPU Socket U3E1
The laptop model is NP700Z5C-S01UB
(adding that to the OP)

There is no visible damage to the USB ports. Quote from: Lisa_maree on April 23, 2015, 02:28:40 AM

Hi
Have you checked the USB ports for damage . If any ports are damaged and you should be able to see damage, the port could short which will cause an over current condition thus causing the chip to get damaged or for that device to be disabled.
If you could supply the exact model number of the Samsung I will check the Circuit Diagram for how that part of the motherboard works. And then should be able to diagnose what could be faulty.

I have a little skill with a soldering iron. Is this something I can replace or resolder myself?