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Upgrading laptop to USB 2.0?

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Name: dmorlow
Date: January 27, 2005 at 16:17:41 Pacific
OS: Windows XP Pro
CPU/Ram: P4 1.8/ 512 RAM
Comment:

I really need to upgrade my usb ports to usb 2.0. Is there anyway to upgrade them? I tried a pc card upgrade, but it doesn't provide enough power to the device to power up. But when plugging it into a desktop, there's enough power. So the only thing I can think of is there isn't enough power coming from the pc card slots and i need to get it to work with the internal slots. So has anyone ever successfully upgraded their internal usb ports (specifically on a toshiba laptop)?

Thanks,
David




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Response Number 1
Name: StuartS
Date: January 27, 2005 at 17:08:00 Pacific
Reply:

You cannot upgrade the internal USB ports. It would mean hacking the motherboard. The only way with a laptop is a PC card. The USB card should supply 500mA. If it doesn't then you are screwed.

With the PC card inserted, check in Device Manager under USB Root Hub.

Stuart


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Response Number 2
Name: ClydeB
Date: January 27, 2005 at 17:14:59 Pacific
Reply:

Frequently devices have separate power input connections. Have you ruled that option out?


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Response Number 3
Name: ludedude25
Date: January 27, 2005 at 17:59:46 Pacific
Reply:

As long as your not using the laptop to roam around you can get a cheap powered USB 2.0 hub to resolve your lack of power.

I use a regular usb hub to power a usb powered flatbed scanner.

Remember you are using a laptop and they are made for portability more then powering usb devices that are not meant to be portable.

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Response Number 4
Name: bob819
Date: January 28, 2005 at 05:30:44 Pacific
Reply:

I have upgraded my Toshiba 1800 with a McNally USB 2.0 PC Card & driving an ext. DVD/CD Writer it rocks, can write 4.6GB in 16 minutes, not bad for an 800Mhz processor, BUT,& here's the BUT, when I connect an external 40GB HDD I have to take power from the USB 1.1 & the data from the USB 2.0 so it looks like there is a power limit on the PC Card.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Bob Mitchell

Bob Mitchell.


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Response Number 5
Name: bob819
Date: January 28, 2005 at 05:45:40 Pacific
Reply:

I have upgraded my Toshiba 1800 with a McNally USB 2.0 PC Card & driving an ext. DVD/CD Writer it rocks, can write 4.6GB in 16 minutes, not bad for an 800Mhz processor, BUT,& here's the BUT, when I connect an external 40GB HDD I have to take power from the USB 1.1 & the data from the USB 2.0 so it looks like there is a power limit on the PC Card.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Bob Mitchell

Bob Mitchell.


0

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Response Number 6
Name: dmorlow
Date: February 10, 2005 at 16:32:43 Pacific
Reply:

Does anyone know if maybe I could pull out a daughterboard out of a newer toshiba and put it in mine replacing the older one to upgrade it? I don't like that big honking thing sticking out the side of my computer.


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Results for: Upgrading laptop to USB 2.0?
Firewire to USB 2.0 cable? www.computing.net/answers/hardware/firewire-to-usb-20-cable/40003.html

How do i change to usb 2.0? www.computing.net/answers/hardware/how-do-i-change-to-usb-20/29745.html

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