USB 2.0 Ports

torbrex

Hi
I have an older PC and it only has USB1.1 ports, is it possible to upgrade them to 2.0 or even 3.0 without having to upgrade everything else?
Can I just buy the ports and plug them in to the same slots on the existing motherboard?

My PC was hand built about 6 years ago and I have no issues with it otherwise. Sadly I don't have details of the name or type of motherboard without stripping the box to have a look.

John_Gray

I would suggest that putting in a USB 3.0 card into such an old PC might be a bit ambitious - I've had trouble with these on a one-year-old PC! But a USB 2.0 card should work OK.

Be very careful that your system supports the card you choose. It might also need a Molex power connector, so check that you have a spare one or buy a Y-splitter. You can't do enough checking in advance of purchase!

Cisco001

You can get add-on card if you have spare PCI/ PCI-E slot
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Port-USB-3-0-HUB-to-PCI-E-Express-Card-Adapter-/190612273715?pt=US_Internal_Port_Expansion_Cards&hash=item2c61607a33
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-2-0-5-PORT-PCI-HUB-CARD-HIGH-SPEED-ADAPTER-/170697718494?pt=US_Internal_Port_Expansion_Cards&hash=item27be607ade

Cisco001

John_Gray wrote: »

I would suggest that putting in a USB 3.0 card into such an old PC might be a bit ambitious - I've had trouble with these on a one-year-old PC! But a USB 2.0 card should work OK.

Be very careful that your system supports the card you choose. It might also need a Molex power connector, so check that you have a spare one or buy a Y-splitter. You can't do enough checking in advance of purchase!

Additional power may need for PCI-E card. But PCI card usually don't need.

closed

usb2 was the norm (on branded machines) > 6 years ago, a cheap card should work

torbrex

Thanks guys, I have found out the motherboard that I have and it will support a USB 2.0 card and there are a couple of spare slots available.
I priced a card at the local guy (and checked with him as well) and he has one with 4 hubs for a tenner.
I just need to find the tenner now, penny jar here I come

NiftyDigits

£10!!

Here for £3.40 or consider a combination USB 2.0 and FireWire card for £7.45. Here

somersethillbilly

Just a quick "heads up" to the OP....I'd try and get a card with a NEC chipset rather than VIA as linked above. I had no end of problems with a VIA chipset USB 2.0 PCI card (not alone according to Google either). But the NEC chipset card worked fine first time no problems or conflicts.

NiftyDigits

somersethillbilly wrote: »

Just a quick "heads up" to the OP....I'd try and get a card with a NEC chipset rather than VIA as linked above. I had no end of problems with a VIA chipset USB 2.0 PCI card (not alone according to Google either). But the NEC chipset card worked fine first time no problems or conflicts.

I wouldn't worry unduly about that. Any problems and it can be sent back for a full refund anyway.

Just take note of the instruction.

For instance, with the Combo card:

After installing This Device, Please Make Sure That Your Boot Manu Sequence is Selected as USB Device First

torbrex

NiftyDigits wrote: »

£10!!

Here for £3.40 or consider a combination USB 2.0 and FireWire card for £7.45. Here

Thanks but I stopped using Ebay a number of years ago for this kind of thing due to a number of unfortunate experiences, I prefer to use local traders now, I will price around locally before I commit to any purchase.

NiftyDigits

torbrex wrote: »

Thanks but I stopped using Ebay a number of years ago for this kind of thing due to a number of unfortunate experiences, I prefer to use local traders now, I will price around locally before I commit to any purchase.

Have used them before. No problems. The one time I found that something was not up to spec, they made a full refund without asking me to send the item back. Don't panic.