Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 16, 2007 Posted September 16, 2007 Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). I have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the two inconveniently located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are still USB 1.1. Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work Thanks.
Guest Curt Christianson Posted September 16, 2007 Posted September 16, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? If the USB 1.1 has plugs that will plug into your PCI card, then you are in luck. It wouldn't surprise me however if there is some soldering involved instead. -- HTH, Curt Windows Support Center http://www.aumha.org Practically Nerded,... http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... | Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front | panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel | USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket | (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). | I have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the two inconveniently | located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are still USB | 1.1. | | Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work | Thanks. | |
Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 16, 2007 Posted September 16, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? The USB 2.0 PCI card doesn't have the same type of connector: It looks like 2 sets of very small silver "stakes" - each having 9 conductors. It doesn't in any way resemble the sort of IDE type connector that goes from front panel USB 1.1 to MOBO. There are also so many pins on the IDE type plug_socket, it seems as though there's more going on with it than simply serving as the USB 1.1 connection. thanks. "Curt Christianson" <curtchristnsn@NOSPAM.Yahoo.com> wrote in message news:OjbQlvG%23HHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > If the USB 1.1 has plugs that will plug into your PCI card, then you are in > luck. It wouldn't surprise me however if there is some soldering involved > instead. > > -- > HTH, > Curt > > Windows Support Center > http://www.aumha.org > Practically Nerded,... > http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm > > "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message > news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > | Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front > | panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel > | USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket > | (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). > | I have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the two inconveniently > | located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are still > USB > | 1.1. > | > | Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work > | Thanks. > | > | > >
Guest Sunny Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front > panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel > USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket > (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). > I have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the two inconveniently > located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are still > USB > 1.1. > > Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work > Thanks. http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=198548 Easy solution, and not that expensive.
Guest thanatoid Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "Sunny" <wombathouse@yahoo.com.au> wrote in news:erGp29L#HHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > > "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in > message news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower >> 'puters front panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 >> enabled ? Currently, the front panel USB 1.1 ports connect >> to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket (looks >> like a sort of IDE type cable). I have a USB 2.0 PCI card >> installed and that makes the two inconveniently located >> rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are >> still USB >> 1.1. >> >> Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work >> Thanks. > > http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_I > d=198548 Easy solution, and not that expensive. It's nice and small and cheap, but unnecessary and not as elegant as the end result of the following: Get a PCI USB 2 card and take the two USB 2 ports out and put them where the old USB 1 ports are now (the card needs to stay in the slot, obviously, but it will be sort of a dummy as far as connecting anything - unless you get one with 4 connectors). You may need to extend a few cables, but you don't even need to solder to do it. It's BETTER to solder, but if you do it right, just some heat-shrink tubing or even electrical tape covering the twisted-together wire connections should be fine. -- "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." - illyria
Guest Lil' Dave Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? Sounds like something Dell had made special. My old Tyan motherboard (98 vintage) has the same 9 pin arrangement. Cable connects to 2 usb ports in a card slot aft.. Sounds smarter to get a standard front USB port for a empty space up front, and connect to the 2.0 card. Dave "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message news:OOnnYDK%23HHA.4784@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > The USB 2.0 PCI card doesn't have the same type of connector: It looks > like > 2 sets of very small silver "stakes" - each having 9 conductors. It > doesn't > in any way resemble the sort of IDE type connector that goes from front > panel USB 1.1 to MOBO. > > There are also so many pins on the IDE type plug_socket, it seems as > though > there's more going on with it than simply serving as the USB 1.1 > connection. > > thanks. > > "Curt Christianson" <curtchristnsn@NOSPAM.Yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:OjbQlvG%23HHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> If the USB 1.1 has plugs that will plug into your PCI card, then you are > in >> luck. It wouldn't surprise me however if there is some soldering >> involved >> instead. >> >> -- >> HTH, >> Curt >> >> Windows Support Center >> http://www.aumha.org >> Practically Nerded,... >> http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm >> >> "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message >> news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> | Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front >> | panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front > panel >> | USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type >> plug/socket >> | (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). >> | I have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the two > inconveniently >> | located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are still >> USB >> | 1.1. >> | >> | Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work >> | Thanks. >> | >> | >> >> > >
Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? Prolly was a Dell designed and fabricated special. The reason for my question and choise is because I don't want any more Ports than I really need. :-D If I add a hub - and most hubs go overboard in terms of number of available ports - then I'll have far too many and may possibly develop IRQ issues. I just wanted to minimize the number of ports to a bare *usable and useful* minimum. The rear ports are stupid to use for plugging in a USB Flash Drive, and clumsy for those things which one may not wish to have constantly plugged in. (iPod and such) I havent any "space" available up front. It's occupied by a small circuit board which not only contains the 2 front USB 1.1 Ports, but also contains a line out_headphone jack, as well as seeming to be a "go-between" the 'puter Power Button and the Mobo and lord knows what else. Some idea of what I'm up against. front panel - external view (Item # 2 - two over/under USB ports) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about23.jpg Front panel - internal view Item # 4 - control-panel cable (connects to computer power button) Item # 5 - front audio cable Iem # 6 - I/O cable (connects to Mobo) the two USB ports are directly in line above the "blue arrow" in diagram. Obviously, integral to the circuit board. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/sm/iopnl3.jpg The Mobo business end (Socket #4 is for the "IDE "style" cable from I/O panel which houses the USB ports) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about27.jpg The above are from this service manual web page (small mini-tower type 'puter) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/sm/iopnl.htm#1099156 Thanks for the input and idea though. :-) "Lil' Dave" wrote in message news:eFztL7N%23HHA.1900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > Sounds like something Dell had made special. My old Tyan motherboard (98 > vintage) has the same 9 pin arrangement. Cable connects to 2 usb ports in a > card slot aft.. Sounds smarter to get a standard front USB port for a empty > space up front, and connect to the 2.0 card. > Dave > "Dingwhistle" wrote : > > The USB 2.0 PCI card doesn't have the same type of connector: It looks > > like > > 2 sets of very small silver "stakes" - each having 9 conductors. It > > doesn't > > in any way resemble the sort of IDE type connector that goes from front > > panel USB 1.1 to MOBO. > > > > There are also so many pins on the IDE type plug_socket, it seems as > > though there's more going on with it than simply serving as the USB 1.1 > > connection. > > > > thanks. > > <snip> > >> > >> "Dingwhistle" wrote: > >> | Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front > >> | panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front > >> | panel USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type > >> | plug/socket (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). <snip> > >> | Thanks. > >> |
Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "Sunny" <wombathouse@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message news:erGp29L%23HHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > > "Dingwhistle" wrote: > > Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters front > > panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel > > USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket > > (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). > ><snip> > > Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work > > Thanks. > > http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=198548 > Easy solution, and not that expensive. > > Yes... "Easy", but not what I wanted. :-D Yes...I'd like the *easy* part, but not the external hub part. <g> Thanks for the input. <s>
Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message news:Xns99ADE5316FE0Athanexit@66.250.146.158... > "Sunny" <wombathouse@yahoo.com.au> wrote in > news:erGp29L#HHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > > > > > "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in > > message news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > >> Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower > >> 'puters front panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 > >> enabled ? Currently, the front panel USB 1.1 ports connect > >> to the Motherboard by some header type plug/socket (looks > >> like a sort of IDE type cable). I have a USB 2.0 PCI card > >> installed and that makes the two inconveniently located > >> rear ports USB 2.0 capable, but not the front 2. They are > >> still USB > >> 1.1. > >> > >> Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it work > >> Thanks. > > > > http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_I > > d=198548 Easy solution, and not that expensive. > > It's nice and small and cheap, but unnecessary and not as > elegant as the end result of the following: > > Get a PCI USB 2 card and take the two USB 2 ports out and put > them where the old USB 1 ports are now (the card needs to stay > in the slot, obviously, but it will be sort of a dummy as far as > connecting anything - unless you get one with 4 connectors). You > may need to extend a few cables, but you don't even need to > solder to do it. It's BETTER to solder, but if you do it right, > just some heat-shrink tubing or even electrical tape covering > the twisted-together wire connections should be fine. > > > -- > "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." > - illyria That's the idea I sort of had in mind. And yes.... it would be 'elegant' and just what I'd want. But, it won't be that easy, due to some inherent complications: Some idea of what stands in the way: front panel - external view (Item # 2 - two over/under USB ports) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about23.jpg Front panel - internal view Item # 4 - control-panel cable (connects to computer power button) Item # 5 - front audio cable Iem # 6 - I/O cable (connects to Mobo) the two USB ports are directly in line above the "blue arrow" in diagram. Obviously, integral to the circuit board and not so easily *removed from that circuit board*, if at all. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/sm/iopnl3.jpg The Mobo business end (Socket #4 is for the "IDE "style" cable from I/O panel which houses the USB ports) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about27.jpg The above are from this service manual web page (small mini-tower type 'puter) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/sm/iopnl.htm#1099156 Basically, I guess I wanted to know if someone knew / had experience with which *pins* are related directly to the USB ports on that I/O Panel. Then, I'd divert (read: cut_disconnect) those whilst leaving the unrelated ones unchanged. Then run a cable/adapter/plug, or simply solder (<-- whatever) the proper cable arrangement from USB 2.0 card internal pins to the I/O panel plug-to-socket.. I'm fairly handy in that field.*smile* Thanks....
Guest thanatoid Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in news:e2BxtMP#HHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl: > > "thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message > news:Xns99ADE5316FE0Athanexit@66.250.146.158... >> "Sunny" <wombathouse@yahoo.com.au> wrote in >> news:erGp29L#HHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: >> >> > >> > "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in >> > message >> > news:%23awVRjG%23HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> >> Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop >> >> Tower 'puters front panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB >> >> 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front panel USB 1.1 ports >> >> connect to the Motherboard by some header type >> >> plug/socket (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). I >> >> have a USB 2.0 PCI card installed and that makes the >> >> two inconveniently located rear ports USB 2.0 capable, >> >> but not the front 2. They are still USB >> >> 1.1. >> >> >> >> Hope someone might know how to modify this to make it >> >> work Thanks. >> > >> > http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Produc >> > t_I d=198548 Easy solution, and not that expensive. >> >> It's nice and small and cheap, but unnecessary and not as >> elegant as the end result of the following: >> >> Get a PCI USB 2 card and take the two USB 2 ports out and >> put them where the old USB 1 ports are now (the card needs >> to stay in the slot, obviously, but it will be sort of a >> dummy as far as connecting anything - unless you get one >> with 4 connectors). You may need to extend a few cables, >> but you don't even need to solder to do it. It's BETTER to >> solder, but if you do it right, just some heat-shrink >> tubing or even electrical tape covering the >> twisted-together wire connections should be fine. >> >> >> -- >> "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." >> - illyria > > That's the idea I sort of had in mind. And yes.... it would > be 'elegant' and just what I'd want. But, it won't be that > easy, due to some inherent complications: > > Some idea of what stands in the way: > > front panel - external view (Item # 2 - two over/under USB > ports) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/ > about23.jpg > > Front panel - internal view > Item # 4 - control-panel cable (connects to computer power > button) Item # 5 - front audio cable > Iem # 6 - I/O cable (connects to Mobo) > the two USB ports are directly in line above the "blue > arrow" in diagram. Obviously, integral to the circuit board > and not so easily *removed from that circuit board*, if at > all. > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/sm/ > iopnl3.jpg > > The Mobo business end (Socket #4 is for the "IDE "style" > cable from I/O panel which houses the USB ports) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/ > about27.jpg > > The above are from this service manual web page (small > mini-tower type 'puter) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/sm/ > iopnl.htm#1099156 > > Basically, I guess I wanted to know if someone knew / had > experience with which *pins* are related directly to the > USB ports on that I/O Panel. Then, I'd divert (read: > cut_disconnect) those whilst leaving the unrelated ones > unchanged. Then run a cable/adapter/plug, or simply solder > (<-- whatever) the proper cable arrangement from USB 2.0 > card internal pins to the I/O panel plug-to-socket.. I'm > fairly handy in that field.*smile* > > Thanks.... You seem to have enough experience to attempt this - I would open the thing up and using a voltmeter check which pins are doing something and which are doing nothing. I think it's only 2 or 3 pins that do anything. AFAIK, nothing *physical* has changed, just the internals and speed. But putting the USB 2 ports where the old ones were on the I/O board will not make the thing faster - you DO need a USB 2 PCI card. Then there's the whole matter of system bus speeds etc. which I know next to nothing about. But I don't think it will matter if you just sever the connections of the old ports by simply *removing* the ports to put the new ones in their place - just glue them or something. The USB 1 ports may just show up as "not working" or defective, but the new ones should work fine. Then again I am NOT an electronics technician. -- "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." - illyria
Guest Dingwhistle Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "thanatoid" wrote in message news:Xns99AE117E49EA7thanexit@66.250.146.158... > "Dingwhistle" wrote: > > "thanatoid" wrote: > >> "Sunny" wrote in > >> news:erGp29L#HHA.484@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > >> > >> > > >> > "Dingwhistle" wrote > >> >> Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop > >> >> Tower 'puters front panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB > >> >> 2.0 enabled ? <snip> > >> > > >> >"Sunny" wrote:: > >> > http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Produc > >> > t_I d=198548 Easy solution, and not that expensive. > >> > >> "thanatoid" wrote: > >> It's nice and small and cheap, but unnecessary and not as > >> elegant as the end result of the following: > >> > >> Get a PCI USB 2 card and take the two USB 2 ports out and > >> put them where the old USB 1 ports are now (the card needs > >> to stay in the slot, obviously, but it will be sort of a > >> dummy as far as connecting anything - unless you get one > >> with 4 connectors). You may need to extend a few cables, > >> but you don't even need to solder to do it. It's BETTER to > >> solder, but if you do it right, just some heat-shrink > >> tubing or even electrical tape covering the > >> twisted-together wire connections should be fine. > >> > >> -- > >> "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." > >> - illyria > > > > "Dingwhistle" wrote: > > That's the idea I sort of had in mind. And yes.... it would > > be 'elegant' <snip> But, it won't be that > > easy, due to some inherent complications: > > > > Some idea of what stands in the way: > > > > front panel - external view (Item # 2 - two over/under USB > > ports) > > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/ > > about23.jpg > > > > Front panel - internal view > > Item # 4 - control-panel cable (connects to computer power > > button) Item # 5 - front audio cable > > Iem # 6 - I/O cable (connects to Mobo) > > the two USB ports are directly in line above the "blue > > arrow" in diagram. Obviously, integral to the circuit board > > and not so easily *removed from that circuit board*, if at > > all. > > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/sm/ > > iopnl3.jpg > > > > The Mobo business end (Socket #4 is for the "IDE "style" > > cable from I/O panel which houses the USB ports) > > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/ > > about27.jpg > > > > The above are from this service manual web page (small > > mini-tower type 'puter) > > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/sm/ > > iopnl.htm#1099156 > > > > Basically, I guess I wanted to know if someone knew / had > > experience with which *pins* are related directly to the > > USB ports on that I/O Panel. Then, I'd divert (read: > > cut_disconnect) those whilst leaving the unrelated ones > > unchanged. Then run a cable/adapter/plug, or simply solder > > (<-- whatever) the proper cable arrangement from USB 2.0 > > card internal pins to the I/O panel plug-to-socket.. I'm > > fairly handy in that field.*smile* > > > > Thanks.... > > You seem to have enough experience to attempt this - I would > open the thing up and using a voltmeter check which pins are > doing something and which are doing nothing. Yep... a possibility. :-D I've both failed and succeeded an equal number of times at both. > I think it's only 2 or 3 pins that do anything. Perhaps; but that's the $64 ,000 question. <g> > AFAIK, nothing *physical* has > changed, just the internals and speed. Yeah; the USB1.1 end remains physically and effectively (effect) unchanged. The addition of the USB 2.0 card is of course a physical change. Now, I need a way to connect that physically changed end to the other unchanged one. > But putting the USB 2 ports where the old ones were on the I/O > board will not make the thing faster - you DO need a USB 2 PCI > card. I have one installed (a two external port - ALi USB 2.0 card) - It doesn't have a standard type internal port, nor a typical header socket connector. Just two sets of 9 pin prongs which jut out of the circuit board. > Then there's the whole matter of system bus speeds etc. > which I know next to nothing about. Hadn't even entered my mind. Obviously, I'm not up to snuff regarding that aspect. > > But I don't think it will matter if you just sever the > connections of the old ports by simply *removing* the ports to > put the new ones in their place - just glue them or something. That's risky. They are hard soldered onto the circuit board (and the only one I have, at that). > The USB 1 ports may just show up as "not working" or defective, After I have chopped up the board, I'd expect nothing less. lol > but the new ones should work fine. Yep.... "should". <g> > Then again I am NOT an electronics technician. Nor am I. However, I could expand my knowledge and experience just as I've done in the past.... if you'll only let me borrow your I/O card. *ggg* > > -- > "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." > - illyria
Guest thanatoid Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in news:#8MzMsP#HHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: > "thanatoid" wrote in message > news:Xns99AE117E49EA7thanexit@66.250.146.158... <SNIP> >> You seem to have enough experience to attempt this - I >> would open the thing up and using a voltmeter check which >> pins are doing something and which are doing nothing. > > Yep... a possibility. :-D I've both failed and succeeded an > equal number of times at both. > >> I think it's only 2 or 3 pins that do anything. > > Perhaps; but that's the $64 ,000 question. <g> Nah, it's only about a $500 question. >> AFAIK, nothing *physical* has >> changed, just the internals and speed. > > Yeah; the USB1.1 end remains physically and effectively > (effect) unchanged. The addition of the USB 2.0 card is of > course a physical change. Now, I need a way to connect that > physically changed end to the other unchanged one. > >> But putting the USB 2 ports where the old ones were on the >> I/O board will not make the thing faster - you DO need a >> USB 2 PCI card. > > I have one installed (a two external port - ALi USB 2.0 > card) - It doesn't have a standard type internal port, nor > a typical header socket connector. Just two sets of 9 pin > prongs which jut out of the circuit board. It may come as a slight surprise to you, but all I know about USB ports is what I've read in groups like this one. I DO have a 5 year old (or something) machine (my 2nd computer) with USB 1 ports, but I have NO USB stuff and I am not interested in any at the moment. Still, it APPEARS that USB is just TWO wires. (Kind of like Appletalk has always been {AFAIK) - about time, Wintel.) So you could check which connections from the USB jacks on your card go to which closest to them (circuit-wise) solder-friendly places on the USB board and make connections based on that. It would look weird as hell - but who cares. Here's an idea - Google for some combination of USB upgrade, Dell I/O board, modification, etc. - or just "computer upgrade help". There are hundreds of sites which actually deal with things just like this. >> Then there's the whole matter of system bus speeds etc. >> which I know next to nothing about. > Hadn't even entered my mind. Obviously, I'm not up to snuff > regarding that aspect. It's impossible to keep up. FYI, I am doing this on a 10 years old (in ten days exactly) 166 MMX with 95B. But I don't think the bus speed enters into it that much - the USB 2 should be much faster no matter what, or the PCI cards wouldn't be available or at least would have been totally discredited as useless by now. >> But I don't think it will matter if you just sever the >> connections of the old ports by simply *removing* the >> ports to put the new ones in their place - just glue them >> or something. > > That's risky. They are hard soldered onto the circuit board > (and the only one I have, at that). Well, you obviously know about soldering - stick the iron at the connector, wait a moment, and pull. I REALLY don't think anything will happen - the old ports will be dead, but you just care about the new ones. (It would be nice if some technician actually bothered to join this thread, huh? Although I must say I am *quite* impressed with the amount of info on the Dell support site. If you dig deeper you might find some very relevant stuff.) >> The USB 1 ports may just show up as "not working" or >> defective, > > After I have chopped up the board, I'd expect nothing less. > lol > >> but the new ones should work fine. > Yep.... "should". <g> > >> Then again I am NOT an electronics technician. > > Nor am I. However, I could expand my knowledge and > experience just as I've done in the past.... if you'll only > let me borrow your I/O card. *ggg* Here's another idea... Why not BUY an identical I/O card from Dell (it shouldn't be expensive) or maybe even find an identical trashed machine in a "junkyard" of some kind (garage sale, old computer shop etc.). Even a running one would probably cost you little. (Now I don't want to be mean, but I would REALLY like to know how this all turns out... I hate long exchanges which just disappear into infinity and you never know what the hell finally happened...) -- "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." - illyria
Guest John Dulak Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? Dingwhistle wrote: > Basically, I guess I wanted to know if someone knew / had experience with > which *pins* are related directly to the USB ports on that I/O Panel. Then, > I'd divert (read: cut_disconnect) those whilst leaving the unrelated ones > unchanged. Then run a cable/adapter/plug, or simply solder (<-- whatever) > the proper cable arrangement from USB 2.0 card internal pins to the I/O > panel plug-to-socket.. I'm fairly handy in that field.*smile* > > Thanks.... Dingwhistle: There are only 4 wires involved in any USB connection. +5v, Ground, signal +, and signal -. You can use youre existing USB 1 connector to find out which wires are used for these functions since the pin functions at the connector are always the same. You can see the pin assignments of a usb connector here: http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml HTH & GL -- \\\||/// ------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o---------------- ----------------------------()-------------------------- '' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. '' John Dulak - Gnomeway Services - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6
Guest MEB Posted September 17, 2007 Posted September 17, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? "thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message news:Xns99AE3291FD2CFthanexit@66.250.146.158... | "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in | news:#8MzMsP#HHA.4736@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl: | | > "thanatoid" wrote in message | > news:Xns99AE117E49EA7thanexit@66.250.146.158... | | <SNIP> | | >> You seem to have enough experience to attempt this - I | >> would open the thing up and using a voltmeter check which | >> pins are doing something and which are doing nothing. | > | > Yep... a possibility. :-D I've both failed and succeeded an | > equal number of times at both. | > | >> I think it's only 2 or 3 pins that do anything. | > | > Perhaps; but that's the $64 ,000 question. <g> | | Nah, it's only about a $500 question. | | >> AFAIK, nothing *physical* has | >> changed, just the internals and speed. | > | > Yeah; the USB1.1 end remains physically and effectively | > (effect) unchanged. The addition of the USB 2.0 card is of | > course a physical change. Now, I need a way to connect that | > physically changed end to the other unchanged one. | > | >> But putting the USB 2 ports where the old ones were on the | >> I/O board will not make the thing faster - you DO need a | >> USB 2 PCI card. | > | > I have one installed (a two external port - ALi USB 2.0 | > card) - It doesn't have a standard type internal port, nor | > a typical header socket connector. Just two sets of 9 pin | > prongs which jut out of the circuit board. | | It may come as a slight surprise to you, but all I know about | USB ports is what I've read in groups like this one. I DO have a | 5 year old (or something) machine (my 2nd computer) with USB 1 | ports, but I have NO USB stuff and I am not interested in any at | the moment. | | Still, it APPEARS that USB is just TWO wires. (Kind of like | Appletalk has always been {AFAIK) - about time, Wintel.) As John points out, there are four wires involved. | | So you could check which connections from the USB jacks on your | card go to which closest to them (circuit-wise) solder-friendly | places on the USB board and make connections based on that. It | would look weird as hell - but who cares. | | Here's an idea - Google for some combination of USB upgrade, | Dell I/O board, modification, etc. - or just "computer upgrade | help". There are hundreds of sites which actually deal with | things just like this. | | >> Then there's the whole matter of system bus speeds etc. | >> which I know next to nothing about. | | > Hadn't even entered my mind. Obviously, I'm not up to snuff | > regarding that aspect. | | It's impossible to keep up. FYI, I am doing this on a 10 years | old (in ten days exactly) 166 MMX with 95B. | | But I don't think the bus speed enters into it that much - the | USB 2 should be much faster no matter what, or the PCI cards | wouldn't be available or at least would have been totally | discredited as useless by now. There are some chipsets which, though supposedly USB 2.0, do NOT support the actual full speed/frequency involved. One of those is apparently the SIS 7001/7002 chipset. Its always best to check the NET first for issues which may be involved with any device and/or chipset BEFORE purchasing the product. | | >> But I don't think it will matter if you just sever the | >> connections of the old ports by simply *removing* the | >> ports to put the new ones in their place - just glue them | >> or something. | > | > That's risky. They are hard soldered onto the circuit board | > (and the only one I have, at that). | | Well, you obviously know about soldering - stick the iron at the | connector, wait a moment, and pull. I REALLY don't think | anything will happen - the old ports will be dead, but you just | care about the new ones. | | (It would be nice if some technician actually bothered to join | this thread, huh? Although I must say I am *quite* impressed | with the amount of info on the Dell support site. If you dig | deeper you might find some very relevant stuff.) Take a look at the info John presented, and check over on USBMAN, and several other sites. The USB issues and pin configs are usually well documented, even for those *specialty* pin configs and/or headers. Conversions are possible, however, as in CAT5/CAT6 wires for networks, and in over 33mbit cabling for hardrives, the cable configuration is important, as well as the pin config. Higher frequencies require differring types of cable to reduce or handle cross-talk. | | >> The USB 1 ports may just show up as "not working" or | >> defective, | > | > After I have chopped up the board, I'd expect nothing less. | > lol | > | >> but the new ones should work fine. | > Yep.... "should". <g> | > | >> Then again I am NOT an electronics technician. | > | > Nor am I. However, I could expand my knowledge and | > experience just as I've done in the past.... if you'll only | > let me borrow your I/O card. *ggg* | | Here's another idea... Why not BUY an identical I/O card from | Dell (it shouldn't be expensive) or maybe even find an identical | trashed machine in a "junkyard" of some kind (garage sale, old | computer shop etc.). Even a running one would probably cost you | little. | | (Now I don't want to be mean, but I would REALLY like to know | how this all turns out... I hate long exchanges which just | disappear into infinity and you never know what the hell finally | happened...) | | | | -- | "This is not nuclear. This is just a test." | - illyria -- MEB http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com ________
Guest Lil' Dave Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 Re: Converting USB 1.1 front panel Ports to USB 2.0 ? Appears that it doesn't reside in a front bay area per se. Rather, in a specially designed area. The front cover, particular to the Dell, is integral to the front panel system. Non-standard. Small PCs with such designs are poor choices for modifications. The unavailability of a true open front bay further removes further possibilities. Due to the non-standard use of USB cabling, I wouldn't pursue any modification. You appear unwilling to go with an external USB hub connected to the USB 2.0 card. Further limiting any solution. Unless you have any boot-time USB devices like a keyboard or mouse, there's no need for the onboard USB to be active. Normally, can be disabled in bios setup. Freeing up a hardware irq. No mention was made by myself to add another USB controller source. Nor, implied. My suggestion, unknowing that you had no open front bay, to add a standard USB port front panel. This usually comes with the USB internal cabling to connect to the internal USB 2.0 card. Dave "Dingwhistle" <nofreeloaders@nighttrain.net> wrote in message news:u2QHFFP%23HHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Prolly was a Dell designed and fabricated special. > > The reason for my question and choise is because I don't want any more > Ports > than I really need. :-D > > If I add a hub - and most hubs go overboard in terms of number of > available > ports - then I'll have far too many and may possibly develop IRQ issues. I > just wanted to minimize the number of ports to a bare *usable and useful* > minimum. The rear ports are stupid to use for plugging in a USB Flash > Drive, > and clumsy for those things which one may not wish to have constantly > plugged in. (iPod and such) > > I havent any "space" available up front. It's occupied by a small circuit > board which not only contains the 2 front USB 1.1 Ports, but also contains > a > line out_headphone jack, as well as seeming to be a "go-between" the > 'puter > Power Button and the Mobo and lord knows what else. > > Some idea of what I'm up against. > > front panel - external view (Item # 2 - two over/under USB ports) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about23.jpg > > Front panel - internal view > Item # 4 - control-panel cable (connects to computer power button) > Item # 5 - front audio cable > Iem # 6 - I/O cable (connects to Mobo) > the two USB ports are directly in line above the "blue arrow" in diagram. > Obviously, integral to the circuit board. > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/sm/iopnl3.jpg > > The Mobo business end (Socket #4 is for the "IDE "style" cable from I/O > panel which houses the USB ports) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/ug/about27.jpg > > The above are from this service manual web page (small mini-tower type > 'puter) > http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx240/en/sm/iopnl.htm#1099156 > > Thanks for the input and idea though. :-) > > > "Lil' Dave" wrote in message > news:eFztL7N%23HHA.1900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> Sounds like something Dell had made special. My old Tyan motherboard (98 >> vintage) has the same 9 pin arrangement. Cable connects to 2 usb ports >> in > a >> card slot aft.. Sounds smarter to get a standard front USB port for a > empty >> space up front, and connect to the 2.0 card. >> Dave > >> "Dingwhistle" wrote : >> > The USB 2.0 PCI card doesn't have the same type of connector: It looks >> > like >> > 2 sets of very small silver "stakes" - each having 9 conductors. It >> > doesn't >> > in any way resemble the sort of IDE type connector that goes from front >> > panel USB 1.1 to MOBO. >> > >> > There are also so many pins on the IDE type plug_socket, it seems as >> > though there's more going on with it than simply serving as the USB >> > 1.1 >> > connection. >> > >> > thanks. >> > > <snip> >> >> >> >> "Dingwhistle" wrote: >> >> | Anyone know if its possible to adapt a Dell Desktop Tower 'puters > front >> >> | panel OEM USB 1.1 ports to be USB 2.0 enabled ? Currently, the front >> >> | panel USB 1.1 ports connect to the Motherboard by some header type >> >> | plug/socket (looks like a sort of IDE type cable). > <snip> >> >> | Thanks. >> >> | > >
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