USB cable connection problem

the USB cables going into my Tivo Premiere XL are suddenly not seating tightly.while the cables go in all the way there is play up and down which causes connection problems. I've a hunch the cleaning lady in dusting the tivo gave the back of the tivo a good swipe of her dusting tool. I've replaced the cables and the problem persists. am wondering if I put scotch tape around the outside the metal housing of the cable if I could achieve a tight connection. realize that sounds dumb but an neither a computer tech or an electrician. any help will be appreciated. thanks