How can I upgrade USB 1 to USB 2?

[lesj1968]

Hi

A friend of mine has a USB 1 socket however needs it upgraded to USB 2. I assume I need to download some drivers to upgrade it to USB 2. I have had a search on the internet and on the Microsoft website but cannot find what I need to do. Please can anyone direct me to where I can download drivers or necessary software to upgrade it to a USB 2 socket?

Many thanks for any help and information.

Les

 

[BionicJohn]

It's a hardware upgrade you need.

For a desktop PC, this is the kind of thing:

http://www.dabs.com/UK/productview?quicklinx=2MSP

(£7.21 + delivery)

LIVERPOOL FC - 5 times Champions of Europe. 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[paparazi]

lesj1968
As BigJohnD indicates you will need to install a PCI to USB2 adapter card.
As long as you are using W2K or XP with service packs installed you won't even need any drivers, older operating systems will however need you to use the supplied driver.

Having said all of this if your machine is P2/K62 or older, there can be issues to the point USB2 simply won't work (typically the system doesn't even boot up with the card installed)
I know there are several "chip" manufactures ie: NEC, Via, Ali that all make there own versions so if one doesn't work another might (so under these circumstances swap the USB2 card for one with a differant chipset)

Martin


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Participate and help others.

 

[lesj1968]

I think he has Windows Millenium edition ...is the PCI card what he needs?

 

[cdogg]

Well, regardless of the operating system, a PCI card is what you need unless you plan on gutting the system and upgrading the motherboard to one that has it built in.

The reason why the others mentioned the OS you were running, is because even a PCI card has limits. You must be on Win98SE or later for support. In your case, you're fine, but take paparazi's word of caution that one brand might not work and another brand will.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[paparazi]

lesj1968
Yes a PCI to USB2 adapter is what you need, with the appropriate supplied driver BUT!
Give us some hardware details, as I said older systems may not be compatible.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[BionicJohn]

I think he has Windows Millenium edition ...is the PCI card what he needs?

Yes. WinME accepts USB2.

When you buy the card, check that if any drivers are needed, WinME drivers are included.

LIVERPOOL FC - 5 times Champions of Europe. 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[lesj1968]

Thanks guys for all your replies. My friend is going to buy the card today and try to get any necessary drivers to go with it for ME. Thanks again.

 

[cdogg]

Just an FYI...

To reiterate what paparazi said earlier and to recap everything else:

Windows 2000 and XP with the latest service packs do not need a driver (USB 2.0 is supported).

But older operating systems such as WinME must have a driver, and that driver "should" be included with any card that you buy retail. So there should be no worries, except if the card itself has compatibility problems with your PC's motherboard/chipset. Let's worry about that later though, as there's no point in speculating this early.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[felixc]

Also, don't go for card that have five USB ports. Find one that has two or three ports. The one with two or three ports will require two IRQ lines, while those with five ports will require three IRQ lines. If the system is old, there may not be enough IRQ lines available.

If you encounter installation problems, you will find a lot of threads on this subject.