Computing.Net > Forums > General Hardware > Front USB Ports

Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.

Front USB Ports

Reply to Message Icon

Name: Mattwizz3 (by mattwizz3)
Date: March 16, 2005 at 03:41:11 Pacific
OS: XP Pro
CPU/Ram: 600MHz / 256Mb
Comment:

Hi everyone.
I recently baught a very nice PC case which has front audio and USB ports. I installed all of my hardware and it runs fine. But I looked at the case manual for plugging in the USB ports and at my motherboards manual and they are labled differently to eachother.

These are the plugs for the front 2 USB ports.

VCC
D-
D+
GND
and the same again for the second USB port.
These are the pins on my motherboard.

USB Power
USBP2-
USBP2+
GND

Then

USB Power
USBP3-
USBP3+
GND

I'm not sure how this would go. Would I set it up like this:

USB Power --->VCC
USBP2- --->D-
USBP2+ --->D+
GND --->GND
Then the same for the second.
And one last question, will I need to install motherboard drivers to get the onboard USB ports to work? I have an Asus K7V. I hope this post wasnt too confusing.

Thanks for any help.

Mattwizz3 : )

AMD K-7 600MHz & Asus K7v
256Mb SDRAM
80Gb WDC, 8Mb Buffer
128Mb ASUS Radeon A9550
Cyber Drive CD-RW DVD Combo
Spirit TV tuner



Sponsored Link
Ads by Google

Response Number 1
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 16, 2005 at 04:24:39 Pacific
Reply:

Matt

I have been frustrated with the non standard labeling of the USB case wiring for years. I'm a little confused by your diagram. Take a look here for some clarification.

http://www.directron.com/installusb.html

You don't need to install USB drivers but you do need SP1 or better to use USB 2.0. You are correct to be cautious with the USB wiring. Connecting wires wrong will cause no harm UNTIL you connect a USB device. Incorrect wiring can burnout the USB controller or device.


0

Response Number 2
Name: Badboy
Date: March 16, 2005 at 04:30:02 Pacific
Reply:

mattwizz3, you are corect.

OtheHill, you can use USB 2.0 with WIN98SE.

There are PCI USB 2.0 cards that work quite well on most MOBOs that do not have USB 2.0. I just got one from Fry's for $10.


0

Response Number 3
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 16, 2005 at 04:37:51 Pacific
Reply:

Badboy

I didn't think about how my reply COULD be taken. What I was pointing out to Matt, who runs XP, was that with XP you must have SP1 or better to use USB 2.0.


0

Response Number 4
Name: Badboy
Date: March 16, 2005 at 04:42:56 Pacific
Reply:

OtheHill, I misunderstood your comment to mean "you need at least WIN XP SP1" to use USB 2.0.



0

Response Number 5
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 16, 2005 at 05:06:35 Pacific
Reply:

That's OK I could have been clearer. I am on a nForce2 MB system as we speak with Win98se/Win2000SP4 dual boot. I do use USB 2.0 with Win98.


0

Related Posts

See More



Response Number 6
Name: ...
Date: March 16, 2005 at 13:02:48 Pacific
Reply:

Sounds similar to my case and asus board...you have it right, but you should double check just in case. vcc=power, gnd=ground, and the - and + are for each usb port. The 2 and 3 on the mobo signify the various ports (like on my computer, I have 4 usb ports available)


0

Response Number 7
Name: ranchhand
Date: March 16, 2005 at 14:40:11 Pacific
Reply:

re: OTH's comment on blowing a USB device: not too long ago I accidentally reversed two leads on my USB, stuck in my flash drive and blew it dead. So you are right, getting the connections wrong won't hurt the mainboard, but it can hurt the peripheral plugged into it.

I also agree-why don't these bone-head manufacturers get together and set a standard labeling system for the hook-ups?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day;
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime;
Then industry pollutes the water and kills all the fish.


0

Response Number 8
Name: Mattwizz3 (by mattwizz3)
Date: March 16, 2005 at 19:44:29 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks heaps for your help guys. I don’t need to worry about installing SP1 because I only have USB 1.1 anyway. I double checked the wiring and I thought it was OK. XP installed them after I plugged my digital camera into them. I think they work because when I plug in something XP makes the sound that it usually does. BUT I plug my camera in and it won’t show up in My Computer. I will install the Via 4 in 1 drivers after school today but I don’t think it will fix it. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.

Mattwizz3 : )

AMD K-7 600MHz & Asus K7v
256Mb SDRAM
80Gb WDC, 8Mb Buffer
128Mb ASUS Radeon A9550
Cyber Drive CD-RW DVD Combo
Spirit TV tuner


0

Response Number 9
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 16, 2005 at 20:03:12 Pacific
Reply:

The digital camera may need USB 2.0. Have you used it with USB 1.1 before?


0

Response Number 10
Name: Badboy
Date: March 17, 2005 at 05:28:09 Pacific
Reply:

You can get a USB 2.0 PCI card. Staples and Best Buy have them for about $30. I just bought one at Fry's for $10 after rebate.


0

Response Number 11
Name: Mattwizz3 (by mattwizz3)
Date: March 18, 2005 at 03:28:00 Pacific
Reply:

Yeah the digital camera is USB 1.1 & 2.0 I have been using it in my back USB 1.1 ports for a couple of months without problems. I also tried my USB printer which worked in the ports in the back of the computer but not in the front ones, just made the 'plug in' noise. I dont really have any PCI ports left even though I have 5 there all taken. And I dont think I can stretch out my budget any further at all, to the point where buying a coke is a huge concideration before I buy it.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Mattwizz3 : )

AMD K-7 600MHz & Asus K7v
256Mb SDRAM
80Gb WDC, 8Mb Buffer
128Mb ASUS Radeon A9550
Cyber Drive CD-RW DVD Combo
Spirit TV tuner


0

Response Number 12
Name: Badboy
Date: March 18, 2005 at 03:30:16 Pacific
Reply:

You might be able to find a cheap USB hub.


0

Sponsored Link
Ads by Google
Reply to Message Icon






Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to General Hardware Forum Home


Sponsored links

Ads by Google


Results for: Front USB Ports

Front USB Ports and MoBo advice www.computing.net/answers/hardware/front-usb-ports-and-mobo-advice/7108.html

how to connect my front usb port? www.computing.net/answers/hardware/how-to-connect-my-front-usb-port/6265.html

Front Mounted USB Ports www.computing.net/answers/hardware/front-mounted-usb-ports/20265.html