Adding a new USB port inside a Macbook Pro

Question

I have a USB Dongle that I'd like to put inside my Macbook Pro. I have already found a spot that will fit the dongle. The next question is splicing one of the USB ports and connecting it to the dongle.

Here's a photograph of the inside of my Macbook Pro, showing the USB ports and a little gray plastic divider with four holes in it above each port.

http://min.us/mvoQEem

My question:

Does anyone know what is inside these holes? Presumably each one is a pin for the USB port, right? Can I just stick a wire in there, giving me 4 pins, plus the fifth attached to the metal outside the port?

More generally, any one have any ideas for what might be the easiest way to get a USB port inside my MBP? :)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Just behind the connector indicated there are 4 small solder pads - 3 round and 1 square - these are the same on all the USB ports and I believe this is where the port is connected to the motherboard.

If you're very very very very good with a soldering iron you would be best off soldering 4 fine wires to these points and routing them to your internal USB device.

Note that the socket will become unusable, so blocking it off would be good - or even better, removing it altogether. This would make soldering the wires in easier.

Not an easy job to do and the slightest slip could kill your MBP.