Expansion port questions

[graftonfot]

Hi,

1. I have a (new to me) motherboard running and I see it has an
on-board USB 2.0 connector. The motherboard manual suggests that two
USB ports are available via that single connector. I'd like to get a
front panel (drive-bay-type) with two USB ports that will plug into
that connector, but I haven't been able to find one. Does such a thing
exist? If so, anyone knwo where they are available?

2. This motherboard also has two serial ports, but only one rear panel
DB-9 connector. The other serial port is apparently available via an
on-motherboard connector (like the USB above). Do they make a DB-9
mounted on a backplate that I can mount in an empty PCI slot cover and
which will plug into that connector, to get my COM2 available?

Thanks!!!

 

[Mike T.]

Hi,

1. I have a (new to me) motherboard running and I see it has an
on-board USB 2.0 connector. The motherboard manual suggests that two
USB ports are available via that single connector. I'd like to get a
front panel (drive-bay-type) with two USB ports that will plug into
that connector, but I haven't been able to find one. Does such a thing
exist? If so, anyone knwo where they are available?

Search for (memory) card readers. They are cheap, plug into your mainboard
USB connectors, and many have USB ports on them. Even if you don't intend
to use the card reader, this is probably your best solution. It would be
silly to fill a whole drive bay for a couple USB ports, which is likely why
you are having trouble finding that specific gadget. Not saying it doesn't
exist, but I haven't seen it.

2. This motherboard also has two serial ports, but only one rear panel
DB-9 connector. The other serial port is apparently available via an
on-motherboard connector (like the USB above). Do they make a DB-9
mounted on a backplate that I can mount in an empty PCI slot cover and
which will plug into that connector, to get my COM2 available?

Yes. Problem is, you may need to get it straight from the mainboard
manufacturer. The connectors can vary, so you need the right one. Good
luck finding it. -Dave

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

1. I have a (new to me) motherboard running and I see it has an on-board
USB 2.0 connector. The motherboard manual suggests that two USB ports
are available via that single connector. I'd like to get a front panel (drive-bay-type)
with two USB ports that will plug into that connector, but I haven't been
able to find one. Does such a thing exist?
Yes.

If so, anyone knwo where they are available?

Ebay, tho they are a bit tricky to search for.

2. This motherboard also has two serial ports, but only one rear panel
DB-9 connector. The other serial port is apparently available via an
on-motherboard connector (like the USB above). Do they make a DB-9
mounted on a backplate that I can mount in an empty PCI slot cover and
which will plug into that connector, to get my COM2 available?

Yes. Those are also a bit hard to find, but they do exist. Ebay again.

 

[Rod Speed]

Search for (memory) card readers. They are cheap, plug into your
mainboard USB connectors, and many have USB ports on them. Even if
you don't intend to use the card reader, this is probably your best
solution. It would be silly to fill a whole drive bay for a couple
USB ports, which is likely why you are having trouble finding that
specific gadget. Not saying it doesn't exist, but I haven't seen it.

Yes. Problem is, you may need to get it straight from the mainboard
manufacturer. The connectors can vary, so you need the right one. Good luck finding it.

In practice there are only two wiring patterns used, due to the two
ways you can do the ribbon cable header at the motherboard end.

 

[Larry Roberts]

Hi,

1. I have a (new to me) motherboard running and I see it has an
on-board USB 2.0 connector. The motherboard manual suggests that two
USB ports are available via that single connector. I'd like to get a
front panel (drive-bay-type) with two USB ports that will plug into
that connector, but I haven't been able to find one. Does such a thing
exist? If so, anyone knwo where they are available?

2. This motherboard also has two serial ports, but only one rear panel
DB-9 connector. The other serial port is apparently available via an
on-motherboard connector (like the USB above). Do they make a DB-9
mounted on a backplate that I can mount in an empty PCI slot cover and
which will plug into that connector, to get my COM2 available?

Thanks!!!

I've found USB connectors on eBay, but those where for a USB
1.1 connection. Not sure if they have to be specific for USB 2.0.

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote


Ebay, tho they are a bit tricky to search for.


Yes. Those are also a bit hard to find, but they do exist. Ebay again.

http://www.interloper.com/products/product-details.php?productid=50520007&cat=505

 

[Rod Speed]

I've found USB connectors on eBay, but those where for a USB
1.1 connection. Not sure if they have to be specific for USB 2.0.

No they dont. One of mine has a little USB A
to individual wire adapter and it does USB2 fine.

 

[Phil_12345]

2. This motherboard also has two serial ports, but only one rear panel
DB-9 connector. The other serial port is apparently available via an
on-motherboard connector (like the USB above). Do they make a DB-9
mounted on a backplate that I can mount in an empty PCI slot cover and
which will plug into that connector, to get my COM2 available?

Thanks!!!

Remember the old day of 286, 386 & 486, Pentium 1 - that has a separate
face place contains COM/Serial/Parallel port mounted to the back of the
ISA/PCI slot cover and has ribbons to connect to the MB. Find one
of those and hopefully the end connector would match the one on your
MB.

 

[Paul]

No they dont. One of mine has a little USB A
to individual wire adapter and it does USB2 fine.

There are some Antec computer cases with USB connectors on the
front of the computer. Due to improper design of the circuit
board, the USB only runs at USB 1.1 rates. You can get a
replacement board with connectors from Antec, that runs
at USB 2 rate. The quality of the wiring makes a difference,
and a poorly designed adapter can prevent operation at USB 2.0
rates. So while in theory, they should all be USB2 capable,
they are not all created equal.

For serial port adapters, two styles are shown here. They are
cheap enough, you can try one of each, until you find one that
works. The wiring pattern is different on each one.

(DTK 2x5 header to DB-9 Male)
http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Showitem&partno=07121

(AT-Everex-Intel 2x5 header to DB-9 Male)
http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Showitem&partno=07120

Paul

 

[graftonfot]

Thanks to all of you who replied. Appreciate the help. Best...