USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC


Go Back   Computer Help Articles > Windows XP Hardware
User Name
Password
FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Flora
 
Posts: n/a
Default USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards that convert a USB
1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an exterior hard drive, and I
discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I was certain it was new
enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk to the external
drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am really unsure of my
ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I usually take it to a
shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an externally mounted
converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they do is add ports -
they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any suggestions, including
telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep looking!

Thank you,
Flora
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Cari \(MS-MVP\)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Something like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc... x=15&Go.y=31

Will fit in the PCMCIA port and give you USB 2.0 ports.
--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows



"Flora" <user666@usergroup.com> wrote in message
news:9D60A670-2DA0-47F5-9A36-3A06F7E65CD8@microsoft.com...
>I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards that convert a USB
> 1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an exterior hard drive, and
> I
> discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I was certain it was
> new
> enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk to the external
> drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am really unsure of my
> ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I usually take it to a
> shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an externally mounted
> converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they do is add ports -
> they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any suggestions, including
> telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep looking!
>
> Thank you,
> Flora



Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
V Green
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Cari, geeeezzz....

Re-read the original post. Carefully.

"I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy
cards that convert a USB 1.1. port to a 2.0 port."

OK?


"Cari (MS-MVP)" <Newsgroups1@coribright.com> wrote in message
news:uD6UKo0DGHA.2704@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Something like these:
>

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc... x=15&Go.y=31
>
> Will fit in the PCMCIA port and give you USB 2.0 ports.
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP)
> Printing & Imaging
> http://www.coribright.com/windows
>
>
>
> "Flora" <user666@usergroup.com> wrote in message
> news:9D60A670-2DA0-47F5-9A36-3A06F7E65CD8@microsoft.com...
> >I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards that convert a

USB
> > 1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an exterior hard drive,

and
> > I
> > discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I was certain it

was
> > new
> > enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk to the external
> > drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am really unsure of my
> > ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I usually take it to

a
> > shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an externally mounted
> > converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they do is add

ports -
> > they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any suggestions,

including
> > telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep looking!
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Flora

>
>



Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Richard Urban
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

A 10 year old can install a USB 2.0 card. Just open the case, find an open
slot on the board and plug it in. If you have SP2 installed on the operating
system, the card should be detected, and functional, upon the first boot up.
Now plug in your external drive and use it. It may have to be partitioned
and formatted first.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"Flora" <user666@usergroup.com> wrote in message
news:9D60A670-2DA0-47F5-9A36-3A06F7E65CD8@microsoft.com...
>I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards that convert a USB
> 1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an exterior hard drive, and
> I
> discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I was certain it was
> new
> enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk to the external
> drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am really unsure of my
> ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I usually take it to a
> shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an externally mounted
> converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they do is add ports -
> they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any suggestions, including
> telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep looking!
>
> Thank you,
> Flora



Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Cari \(MS-MVP\)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Just put a PCI card in the desktop slot.... or ask your local PC store to do
it for you and pay the $50+ installation charge. Honestly, it takes 2
minutes. There are no cables to connect. Just one single card that slots
in.

Drivers are built into XP provided you have SP2 so there's no software to
install.

The PCMCIA cards do NOT upgrade or replace a USB 1.1 to 2.0 They ADD
additional ports. Only other option is get a new PC. You cannot 'upgrade'
USB ports. They are what they are. Part of the motherboard. Of course you
can change the motherboard, but if you're that worried about adding one PCI
card that will come with complete instructions, I do not expect you to
change a motherboard without a cardiac arrest....

And let's see, I've answered somewhere about 100 posts today and yesterday
on a holiday weekend, so perhaps I misread one of them. Sorry, but I have a
life too. You get free assistance here, 24/7 please don't complain when we
get one thing wrong. You could have picked up the phone and called your
local PC store too you know.


--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows



"V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:%23QdeYr0DGHA.3916@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Cari, geeeezzz....
>
> Re-read the original post. Carefully.
>
> "I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy
> cards that convert a USB 1.1. port to a 2.0 port."
>
> OK?
>
>



Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Cari \(MS-MVP\)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Actually I've seen a 7 year old do it! I should have taken pictures. I
love it when they show their parents how smart they are after the parents
have called me in to advise and the kids say they already know how to do
it!!
--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows



"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23K6aVs0DGHA.644@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>A 10 year old can install a USB 2.0 card. Just open the case, find an open
>slot on the board and plug it in. If you have SP2 installed on the
>operating system, the card should be detected, and functional, upon the
>first boot up. Now plug in your external drive and use it. It may have to
>be partitioned and formatted first.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
>



Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Flora
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up m

Thank you Cari, I believe I will take the plunge and get a PCI card and do it
myself, now that I have read more about it since I posted my question -
however please note it was not I who "complained" about the service on this
forum - I really appreciate the info.
--
Thank you,
Flora


"Cari (MS-MVP)" wrote:

> Just put a PCI card in the desktop slot.... or ask your local PC store to do
> it for you and pay the $50+ installation charge. Honestly, it takes 2
> minutes. There are no cables to connect. Just one single card that slots
> in.
>
> Drivers are built into XP provided you have SP2 so there's no software to
> install.
>
> The PCMCIA cards do NOT upgrade or replace a USB 1.1 to 2.0 They ADD
> additional ports. Only other option is get a new PC. You cannot 'upgrade'
> USB ports. They are what they are. Part of the motherboard. Of course you
> can change the motherboard, but if you're that worried about adding one PCI
> card that will come with complete instructions, I do not expect you to
> change a motherboard without a cardiac arrest....
>
> And let's see, I've answered somewhere about 100 posts today and yesterday
> on a holiday weekend, so perhaps I misread one of them. Sorry, but I have a
> life too. You get free assistance here, 24/7 please don't complain when we
> get one thing wrong. You could have picked up the phone and called your
> local PC store too you know.
>
>
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP)
> Printing & Imaging
> http://www.coribright.com/windows
>
>
>
> "V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message
> news:%23QdeYr0DGHA.3916@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Cari, geeeezzz....
> >
> > Re-read the original post. Carefully.
> >
> > "I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy
> > cards that convert a USB 1.1. port to a 2.0 port."
> >
> > OK?
> >
> >

>
>
>

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Brian Gaff
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Well, logic would say that if the bottleneck is because usb1.1 is slow, then
even if the hardware 'looked' like2. on the outside, or to the connecting
device, the bottleneck would still be there.

I'dd go for an add in card or if you have a laptop, apcmcia card with USB 2
on it. I've done this with an old 233mhz laptop and it works fine.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"Flora" <user666@usergroup.com> wrote in message
news:9D60A670-2DA0-47F5-9A36-3A06F7E65CD8@microsoft.com...
>I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards that convert a USB
> 1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an exterior hard drive, and
> I
> discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I was certain it was
> new
> enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk to the external
> drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am really unsure of my
> ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I usually take it to a
> shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an externally mounted
> converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they do is add ports -
> they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any suggestions, including
> telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep looking!
>
> Thank you,
> Flora



Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Pavel A.
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up m

"Flora" wrote:
> Thank you Cari, I believe I will take the plunge and get a PCI card and do it
> myself, now that I have read more about it since I posted my question -
> however please note it was not I who "complained" about the service on this
> forum - I really appreciate the info.


Just don't forget about the grounding. Discharge the static electricity
before opening the package and touching the PCI card
and computer parts...

Good luck,
--PA

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM
Jim Macklin
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC

Now, he's got to open his desktop box and add a PCMCIA
hardware, might just as well buy a USB 2.0 PCI card and be
done with it. It really isn't hard to do, to the OP, give
it a try.



--
Merry Christmas
Have a Safe and Happy New Year
Live Long and Prosper
Jim Macklin
"Cari (MS-MVP)" <Newsgroups1@coribright.com> wrote in
message news:uD6UKo0DGHA.2704@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
| Something like these:
|
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc... x=15&Go.y=31
|
| Will fit in the PCMCIA port and give you USB 2.0 ports.
| --
| Cari (MS-MVP)
| Printing & Imaging
| http://www.coribright.com/windows
|
|
|
| "Flora" <user666@usergroup.com> wrote in message
| news:9D60A670-2DA0-47F5-9A36-3A06F7E65CD8@microsoft.com...
| >I don't have a laptop, so I can't use those handy cards
that convert a USB
| > 1.1. port to a 2.0 port. I recently installed an
exterior hard drive, and
| > I
| > discovered that ALL the ports on my PC are USB 1.1 - I
was certain it was
| > new
| > enough to have 2.0. I would like to back up my hard disk
to the external
| > drive without taking 12 hours or more to do it. I am
really unsure of my
| > ability to install a PCI card inside my computer - I
usually take it to a
| > shop if it needs to be opened. Does anyone know of an
externally mounted
| > converter? I see all kinds of hubs out ther but all they
do is add ports -
| > they do not upgrade to 2.0. I would appreciate any
suggestions, including
| > telling me that no such thing exists, so I won't keep
looking!
| >
| > Thank you,
| > Flora
|
|


Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
opening pages cb Internet Explorer 6 2 01-05-2006 04:28 PM
Opening Media Delay Chris Windows Media Player 5 01-05-2006 04:05 PM
Re: Music playback is jumpy when opening applications!! Frank-John Windows XP Music 0 01-05-2006 07:38 AM
MS KB 326472 - PnP Printers Require Admin Creds: Any work arounds? Steven Bendis Windows XP Security Admin 0 01-05-2006 04:21 AM
Opening email text documents paulineindoors Windows XP General 4 01-05-2006 02:27 AM


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin Version 3.5.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 2.3.2 © 2005, Crawlability, Inc.

USB converters - are there any that don't require opening up my PC