How to Upgrade to USB 2.0

Hello all. I'll cut straight to the chase. I have just got an iPod, and transfering songs can take sometime as I only have USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is 40 times quicker so I would like to upgrade to that, the problem is, I don't have a clue where to start. I have seen this USB 2.0, but I don't know how I am supposed to install it. I have looked inside the PC and dabbled around, but never actually took anything out or added anything. If someone could point my in the right direction it'd be greatly appreciated. Also, could you recommend a USB 2.0 card?

Thanks in advance.

 

Thnaks for the reply Steve R Jones. I don't quite understand what you mean about it being 'overkilkl'. It says that it is a PCI ard. I have checked inside the PC and I have four spaces, one is for the monitor, one is for a 56k modem and two are free. There is also a space that is half the size of these and is black.

 

He means that you don't need a card that is so "fancy" or expensive.

Talk a look at this page.

You can see that USB 2.0 cards are very cheap. Probably very cheap in the UK as well. Ignore the first one on that page (it's USB 1.1). The cheapest one listed is $5.50 US. If all you need is another USB 2.0 port, one of these simple PCI cards will do just fine.

Gary

 

So basically I just get a USB 2.0 PCI card with whatever amount of ports I need and plug the part circled in red into the slot, install, and then it will work?

 

Just make sure you get the slot type correct. I see that they make these cards for both PCI and PCI-Express slots.

Gary

 

Thanks for the input guys. I have checked the slot space in the PC and it appears that this USB card will fit as it has the long section a little gap and then a little section for it go in. I have come across this, is this resonably priced and will it charge my iPod like the 1.1 ports do?

 

Hi enricque86, suggest going to the website of the card you are interested in. See if has a reputable chipset. You could also try putting the (manufacturer) model number into a Google search with "review ".

Power, as suggested a PCI card should be fine, to ensure that power is not a problem, get a self-powered USB 2.0 hub. That will make certain that too much is power is not drawn through your PCI system.

Matt

 

I don't have a clue as to which one to go for. Could anyone recommend me one from the UK, it can be from anywhere.

 

If all you're going to do is connect your iPod, then you should be fine with a simple USB PCI card and not a powered hub. This is exactly what I do for my stepdaughter's rig.

I looked at several at Newegg and they don't even have the chipset mentioned in the detailed descriptions. Since we're not talking big dollars here, in this case, I would go for the one with the best user rating. Unfortunately, there isn't a big selection at Amazon.co.uk and there aren't many ratings.

Don't agonize over it too much. Buying a PCI USB card should be as complicated as buying a toaster. You buy it, plug it in, and it works.

Keep in mind that any USB 2.0 card will require that your PCI slots be of the modern type (v2.1 or greater?). Just a read a testimonial where someone tried a new card in an old PCI slot. It prevented the PC from even booting.
Gotta love people trying to keep breathing life into their old "stuff ".

Gary