USB 1.1 -> 2.0 questions

[niz]

i have a USB1.1 enabled destop PC which i'm considering upgrading to
USB2.0. i understand it should simply be a case of replacing the
existing USB1.1 card with a USB2.0 card. BUT i also have USB ports at
the front of the case as well as the back, and on the back of the
monitor.

(a) do the ports themselves also need to be replaced with 2.0 versions?

(b) what about the wires connecting these ports to the USB card, should
they be replaced?
(c) is there a mimum system spec required to handle USB2.0 (machine is
1.4GHz Athlon with 1GB RAM, ASUS A7a266 mb)?

(d) i also had the idea of inserting the replaced USB1.1 card in an
even older PC with no USB capabilities at all. a P166 32MB RAM. would
it be able to take a USB1.1 card?

(e) finally I have a laptop with USB1.1 ports. what is the simplest way
to get this one upgraded to 2.0? is there any "non-invasive" way to do
it, e.g. without opening up the laptop?

cheers.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Lucky for you I don't charge by the question ;->

1. The USB ports on your motherboard cannot be upgraded. To add USB 2.0
ports to your computer, you install a USB 2.0 card and also USB 2.0
drivers, which you should receive on a CD with the card.

2. The wires connecting your USB devices to your computer don't care
what version of USB is in use. No matter how fast they move, an electron
is an electron.

3. For the card, all you need is an available slot. For the drivers you
need Win 98 (Second Edition, IIRC).

4. See above.

5. Sorry, I have limited knowledge of laptops.

 

[David Vair]

Most likely the existing ports are hardwired to the motherboard so you can't replace them. You can
add a 2.0 card to the machine and you will just have additional ports to use. The existing ones
will always be 1.1 adding the card will not upgrade them, you will just have more ports to use.

 

[JustMe]

i have a USB1.1 enabled destop PC which i'm considering upgrading to
USB2.0. i understand it should simply be a case of replacing the
existing USB1.1 card with a USB2.0 card. BUT i also have USB ports at
the front of the case as well as the back, and on the back of the
monitor.

(a) do the ports themselves also need to be replaced with 2.0 versions?

(b) what about the wires connecting these ports to the USB card, should
they be replaced?
(c) is there a mimum system spec required to handle USB2.0 (machine is
1.4GHz Athlon with 1GB RAM, ASUS A7a266 mb)?

(d) i also had the idea of inserting the replaced USB1.1 card in an
even older PC with no USB capabilities at all. a P166 32MB RAM. would
it be able to take a USB1.1 card?

(e) finally I have a laptop with USB1.1 ports. what is the simplest way
to get this one upgraded to 2.0? is there any "non-invasive" way to do
it, e.g. without opening up the laptop?

cheers.

To upgrade your laptop you need one of these:
http://www.bixnet.com/2poruspcmcic.html

 

[Jonny]

i have a USB1.1 enabled destop PC which i'm considering upgrading to
USB2.0. i understand it should simply be a case of replacing the
existing USB1.1 card with a USB2.0 card. BUT i also have USB ports at
the front of the case as well as the back, and on the back of the
monitor.

(a) do the ports themselves also need to be replaced with 2.0 versions?

You cannot replace the ports, the visible connectors are an extension
connected to the chip which is the actual port. As are those on the monitor
and in front of the PC.

(b) what about the wires connecting these ports to the USB card, should
they be replaced?

There are more than a few different wiring configurations for USB cards to
an external USB connector. If your current one doesn't match your intended
replacement, get new cables suitable for it.

(c) is there a mimum system spec required to handle USB2.0 (machine is
1.4GHz Athlon with 1GB RAM, ASUS A7a266 mb)?

An add-on card, not really. Check with the mfrs for minimum requirements
regarding hardware. Many late model PCI cards have minimum PCI version
required as part of the motherboard specs as one example.

(d) i also had the idea of inserting the replaced USB1.1 card in an
even older PC with no USB capabilities at all. a P166 32MB RAM. would
it be able to take a USB1.1 card?

Win95 OSR2, maybe. 98/98SE/ME should have no problem.

(e) finally I have a laptop with USB1.1 ports. what is the simplest way
to get this one upgraded to 2.0? is there any "non-invasive" way to do
it, e.g. without opening up the laptop?

Cardbus type. Again check with the mfr for minimum requirements.