How can I get my older laptop to have a 2.0 usb port?

Question

I have to use a propritary wireless card (SBC DSL encripted card) in the cardslot, so that devise that gives you a 2.0 usb port that plugs into the card slot won't work unless I can find a way to hook up 2 cards into the one slot. Can my current usb ports be converted using only software, or do I need to install new hardware as well?

Answer 1

I am a bit confused by your comment. Laptops have two type 2 PCMCIA card slots. So, does the SBC DSL card take up both slots? If it does then you are out of luck, unless SBC has a newer card that only takes one slot. If that is the case then you can buy a PCMCIA converter that will convert from PCMCIA to USB 2.0. You might check with SBC to find out if there is a newer SBC DSL card. You might also look into changing the card into another brand that only takes one slot ... check out the security features and you might still have enough security to feel comfortable.

Answer 2

some computers have 2.0 usb ports but do not have 2.0 drivers. in those cases, you just need to update the drivers. I have seen this one some HP desktops but windows usually tells you to upgrade the usb drivers if that is the case.

since you say the laptop is old, it probably has 1.1 usb ports and you'd need additional hardware.

since you only have one cardslot, you may want to look into getting a usb card slot with multiple ports. then, getting a wireless usb adapter. then you'd be able to use your wireless and have additional usb ports for other usb devices.

Answer 3

USB 2.0 is a hardware issue. The port has to be manufactured to send data at a faster rate than USB 1.0.

Answer 4

If you have one of those old serial ports (The ports that look like a monitor port) then you should be able to buy an adaptor.

But other than that no, there is nothing you can do.

Answer 5

You will need new hardware. If your cardslot is taken I don't know of any other way sorry.