One of my ports isn't working!

How about buying a cheap wireless mouse Phoenix I use wireless everything.. it works fine.

Don't you need a USB port even for that, though? I use a wireless mouse but had to programme the little thing that came with it that you stick in the port.

You can get a 4 port usb hub for about £10. Plug it into your working usb port and you will then have 4 ports

I've got a wireless mouse and as Ana said, it still needs to plug the doo dah into the port.

pompa that sounds like a good solution, thank you!

Any suggestions where might be best to order one from?

I have to go check but I'm 90% sure that my wireless mouse and keyboard don't have anything plugged into my PC ... I may be proved wrong though its been ages since I've been able to use it due to a certain someone inhabiting my computer/spare room

Just had a quick look on Ebuyer, there are some hubs that look pretty good for around £5!

Have also contacted the local independent computer shop to see if they have any in stock and see what sort of price they are (like to shop locally if poss.)

I find Maplins very good for this sort of thing.

If it is just a new USB socket needed I doubt if it will be too expensive you can buy new ports for about £12 (I have just looked.)

If it is just about unplugging or unscrewing the failed one and replacing it its largely just wires on the end of a socket.

The tricky bit is knowing exactly which of the screws to move.

My wireless mouse has a very tiny little widget plugged into one of the lap tops USB sockets.

If you decide to overcome the problem using a USB hub, I think powered hubs are reckoned to be better than non-powered ones.

Type 'powered vs non-powered usb hubs' into a search engine for more information.