My system will not recognize anything coming through the USB ports, camera, mouse etc. Short of replacing the motherboard, is there a card reader I can buy and use externally?
2006-12-14 23:48:28 · 9 answers · asked by leonard k 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
I you have one USB port that still works, you can pick up 4 port USB hubs for about $20. Google search 'USB hub'
There is also a keyboard port to USB adapter (at radio shack). Plug the hub into this if your keyboard still works and then you'll have some ports. It's that or the PC repair shop.
2006-12-14 23:50:28 · answer #1 · answered by jgbarber65 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
PCI/USB upgrade cards have three primary purposes
Provide USB connectivity for desktop computers without USB ports
As a work around for problematic onboard USB host controllers
Increase system USB bandwidth
When adding USB to an older computer, success depends upon a BIOS version that properly supports USB, (June 1998 or newer) and Win98 or newer operating system. Vintage 1996-97 motherboards are particularly difficult to upgrade even those with Intel chipsets. Many of these older systems can NOT achieve satisfactory USB connectivity.
USB upgrade cards, unlike hubs, provide additional USB bandwidth, normally 12Mb/s per card. Cards equipped with the new Lucent USS-344, "Quadrabus", silicon provide 48Mp/s of USB bandwidth per card.
2006-12-14 23:51:54 · answer #2 · answered by ladeehwk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many solutions.
1. If you are running Microsoft instead of one of the 811 Operating Systems that are upto 50X faster, and actually contain all resources within the Kernel, then make very sure you haven't simply 'lost' some driver or Dynamic Link!!! (DLL)...
I would run a LiveCDrom, such as http://pclinuxos.com and try out those USB devices, before spending money!
2. you did the above, and the USB doesn't come up, doesn't work, (it should also affect the 'South Bridge' so that something else on that system doesn't work, such as keyboard or PCI slots...
Buy a USB Port card that plugs into the internal PCI slot, at any of the local computer shops, or retailers, for under $40.
I get mine from http://computergate.com http://newegg.com http://pricewatch.com for under $12.
2006-12-14 23:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can find USB expansion slots (I mean additional ports only, not the one with the PCMCIA card, just ports with interface connectors to plug into the motherboard) in some computer stores, buy them. If the driver/USB Host Controller is busted too, there is no choice but to buy the one with the PCMCIA card.
2006-12-15 00:38:56 · answer #4 · answered by Jobs_141 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes...you can get a PCI card that turns into a USB Hub...adds 4 USB ports to the back of your computer usually (some may have fewer...)
2006-12-14 23:50:47 · answer #5 · answered by troubled1367 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, plus if you havent added any extra usb ports to the computer, most have a space to add two or three,,,, go to a place like Staples or Office depot, they can help you with it,,,, i have a old computer that only had usb1 ports, we popped in a usb2 card with two outlets into this HP , the space was right near/above the phone jacks,,, popped out a metal solid bar, put the ports in
2006-12-14 23:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by dlin333 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! At the most 2 things normally my itouch and an USB data storage.
2016-05-24 19:34:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a serial port on your laptop, you can get a serial to USB adapter.
2006-12-14 23:57:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're SOL.
2006-12-14 23:50:09 · answer #9 · answered by Catmmo 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋