Lack of USB's

[Dave Neve]

Hi

My cheapo computer has three USB 1 ports which are all being used (scanner,
printer and webcam)

I have just ordered a broadband modem which will have to occupy one of these
ports.

I want to know if I can simply unplug a peripheric and replace it with
another one before the computer is switched on as long as the pilot is
installed of course.

Thanks in advance

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

Why don`t you get a powered USB Hub? just plug the Hub into the USB port,
the attach your USB devices to it. As for the modem, have it use its on
port on the computer. USB ports are cheap and you can connect port to port
as well. Best to get one that you can use external power with.

Jeff

 

[Alex Nichol]

Why don`t you get a powered USB Hub? just plug the Hub into the USB port,
the attach your USB devices to it. As for the modem, have it use its on
port on the computer. USB ports are cheap and you can connect port to port
as well. Best to get one that you can use external power with.

That's fine, but a broadband modem will need to be on USB and not a
regular modem connection. Give it a port of its own, and have the
present devices save another through the Hub

 

[Alex Nichol]

My cheapo computer has three USB 1 ports which are all being used (scanner,
printer and webcam)

I have just ordered a broadband modem which will have to occupy one of these
ports.

A further though. A plugin USB 2.0 card would only cost much the same
as a powered hub, and give you that faster capacity which may be
important for some things you might add. I've got one that provides 2
ports at the back, and 3 more that fit in a spare floppy drive panel in
front