What is exactly is in the USB PORT?

[crazyfortech]

I have a powermac g4 dual 500. When I bought it it said that that the usb was broken. But I plugged something in and it worked perfectly. The reason I think they said that was that that little like white thing in it (I think it holds the cord up) was gone. Does anyone know what that little white thing does? Or am I correct?


ONE MORE QUESTION
I'm selling it on ebay should I tell them that it's gone or not?

CHEERS!

 

[yippy]

That little white thing is supposed to support the pins and is structural to the port.

You should tell them that it is missing because without it the pins will bend very easily and the port may stop working or worse, short out, at any time.

 

[Benjamindaines]

ONE MORE QUESTION
I'm selling it on ebay should I tell them that it's gone or not?

The easiest thing to do would be just take a picture of the port.

 

[EricNau]

The easiest thing to do would be just take a picture of the port.

No, the easiest thing to do would be to give it to me, I wouldn't care what's wrong with it.