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Original poster

USB 2.0 - how do I upgrade to this?

20 replies

Polgara2 · 27/01/2008 15:39

I have a 4 port usb hub attached to my pc and I keep getting that hi-speed device connect to low speed etc message and have noticed that not everything I plug into the hub works either very well or not all in the case of dd1's mp3 player. So how do I change to the newer hi speed usb 2.0 pretty pretty please!!!!

OP posts:
Smamfa · 27/01/2008 15:47

Is the pc USB hi-speed? If your machine is older and your gizmos young, you may have 'generational' issues. If your PC is young, you'll need a new USB hub that is USB-2.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 27/01/2008 16:04

Yes, generational ishoos I fear . PC has older usb connections - can I not upgrade it then? Not sure about hub - only got it last year? Will have a look. But even if hub is 2.0 it won't make any difference if pc is older will it

OP posts:
Smamfa · 27/01/2008 18:27

Don't think you can upgrade - it's hardwired I think. Will check at work tomorrow and report back.

My old laptop had exactly the same problem. Until two weeks ago, when it fell over and died. Just like that, no warning.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 27/01/2008 23:39

You do realised that no was not the answer I was looking for don't you . Thank you for looking - I live in hope that I can.

OP posts:
Ubergeekian · 28/01/2008 15:48

USB1.0/2.0 are different bits of hardware. If you are feeling confident, you could buy a USB2.0 card for your PC...

Original poster
Polgara2 · 28/01/2008 16:17

And how hard is it, exactly, to change the usb card???? I did assume that I would have to change something - will it go in the same slot?

OP posts:
opinionateddad · 28/01/2008 16:24

can be done.. just buy a PCI USB2 card and stick it in one of the rear slots in the PC... these are around £12 from most online stores now...

PS - a USB2 hub wont fix the issue as it would be connected to a USB1 interface and thus would have to run at that speed

Original poster
Polgara2 · 28/01/2008 16:35

Hmmm 'just stick it in one of the rear slots in the PC' - now you see that sounds easy enough .
Any old PCI USB2 card - compatibility or doesn't matter?
So take old one out and put new one in its place - yes?
And will I then have to buy a new usb2 hub?

OP posts:
opinionateddad · 28/01/2008 19:12

what model PC do you have?
This wont replace the ports you have but add some more... normally these cards have 3-4 interfaces..

If you then plug a USB2 hub into a USB2 interface please remember that you are not getting USB2 speeds as you are sharing the bandwidth from a single port between 4 other ports...

Original poster
Polgara2 · 28/01/2008 20:39

Right with you now. I guess I won't know if I have space for the card until I open back up? PC is about 5 years old I think, AMD Athlon 1.9 processor. Not a branded one.
I know it will be sharing ports but it will stop the annoying messages and allow me to use usb2 intended devices?

OP posts:
rantinghousewife · 28/01/2008 20:41

Our Pc is older than yours and we bought a USB card and just plugged it into the back, we've never had any problems with it and it's been there for quite a few years.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 28/01/2008 20:44

Oh thanks that's reassuring . Will have to have a fiddle !!

OP posts:
Smamfa · 28/01/2008 20:58

Yes, what they said. That's wot I found out today from techno-geek-boy (age 13 3/4) in the IT dropin room.

Oh, and apparently I am an idiot for not backing up my PC, like 99.99% of the population, who are also idiots (I Married an IT Manager). I suggested that since DH has right experience he might like to take responsibility for these things.

Nice quiet evening for me, he's sulking with his kit.

Ubergeekian · 28/01/2008 21:02

Sorry - I made my suggestion about a card deliberately obtuse to scare you off if necessary!

What everyone else says is spot on. If you have a spare expansion slot (and I'll bet you have) it should be pretty straightforward. Open case, remove slot cover, insert card, tighten screw, closecover, connect up, switch on, stick in drivers disk if asked, bingo.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 28/01/2008 21:17

Ah they are the sort of instructions I like! Thanks.
And if I don't have a spare expansion slot I'm stuffed? Or can I remove old usb one and replace if I have to? I do like to have a contingency plan in place when getting instructions

OP posts:
Smamfa · 28/01/2008 21:40

Can you capture a 13 year old boy and make him do it? They all do techno-geek at that age, don't they?

Ubergeekian · 29/01/2008 09:50

Polgara2: "And if I don't have a spare expansion slot I'm stuffed? Or can I remove old usb one and replace if I have to?"

USB is normally built into the motherboard, so you won't be able (or need) to remove it. Do you have any cards in at the moment?

opinionateddad · 10/02/2008 15:46

if you look at the back of the PC... you will see a bank of rectangualar slots with blanking plates covering them.. one may have a modem another may have a graphics card...

If you are lucky you will see one with nothing in it.. this is pay dirt and your way to USB2 heaven..

The only issue you may have is that due to the age of the PC it may have ISA (long white) or PCI (short black) slots... the card will have to be the rigth type to fit

Original poster
Polgara2 · 10/02/2008 16:24

Right have ventured into the darkness that is under the desk and I do seem to have an empty space. Will it be obvious when I remove the back as to whether I have black or white slots? Sorry its a long time since I fiddled with a pc - back in the days of IBM XT and AT (really showing my age now aren't I!)

OP posts:
opinionateddad · 10/02/2008 17:18

It will be obious.. the ISA connector will be white and have 3 slots in it

the PCI slot will be black and shorter with only 2 slots in it...

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