My computer came from my office because they give them away every 3 years and I've had it for a lot of months now and just realized it has no USB outlet. Is there something you can buy that will plug into something else on the computer or am I screwed? Should I buy a new computer....or would buying a new computer be cheaper? Or, if there is something, where can I find it and/or what is it?
2006-11-16 09:14:41 · 11 answers · asked by Shorty 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
If you go to Circuit City or CompUSA or some equivalent, you can buy a two or four port USB card to insert in a PCI slot, if you have a slot available.
Just ask the salesperson for advice on whether the one you are looking at will work in your PC, and what their returns policy is if it will not fit or fails to work.
They will usually need to know what version of Windows you are using, and what type of card (PCI or IDE) that you need for the PC.
If you have a camera phone, you can open up the cover of your PC, take a snapshot of the card slots, then just show it to them and see what they think.
2006-11-16 09:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by SteveN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy whats called a USB Bus Card, they are about 30 dollars. You basically open up you PC, and add it to an open slot. It is probably not worth it thoug, it will run too slow if your computer doesnt have a usb port already. Also, if you dont have Windows XP, dont even try it, it wont work. There is also an adapter you can buy which goes into the PS2 adapter (where your keyboard or mouse plug into) but it is the same deal as with the card. it will run slow or it wont work at all.
2006-11-16 17:20:28 · answer #2 · answered by pda_tech_guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My local computer store sells USB PCI cards. To install one, you will need to open the computer up and put the card into an empty slot. Be sure that you have an empty slot before you buy the card! Also, make sure that you buy a card that is the same standard as the one in your computer (I'm assuing will be PCI because that's very standard these days). Should be real easy,and Windows 2k or XP should recognize it no prob. Good luck!
2006-11-16 17:19:13 · answer #3 · answered by luddite extraordinaire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy a card. to attach inside your computer, and that will allow to use USB. Another way is to buy an adapter, that plugs into a serial port. The latter is cheaper and easier.
2006-11-16 17:21:09 · answer #4 · answered by John W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention if it was a laptop or desktop computer. if It is a desktop, you can always go buy a USB2 card, and install it in the computer tower. But if it's a laptop computer, you might want to take it to a computer repair center and ask if the USB-2 can be added to your computer. Some laptops cannot be upgraded.
2006-11-16 17:18:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a new computer. Or buy a USB outlet from Best Buy.
2006-11-16 17:20:27 · answer #6 · answered by Alex B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, purchase a USB expansion card from an electronics or computer store. They are only about $20; make sure you buy a PCI version, not PCI X version.
2006-11-16 17:17:22 · answer #7 · answered by cornpie jones 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can buy a USB card. It is easy to install. Just open the case, when it is unplugged and put it into a slot. There you go.
2006-11-16 17:19:18 · answer #8 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy a USB hub that connects to the computer through a parallel port. Make sure that you have a parallel port first.
2006-11-16 17:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by vitti93 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WWW.TIGERDIRECT.COM IS THE WAY TO GO.
2006-11-16 18:32:13 · answer #10 · answered by will 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋