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    USB 2.0 upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by AnnaF, Jun 1, 2008.

  1. AnnaF

    AnnaF Newbie

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    Hi,
    I have a IBM Thinkpad T30, is it possible to upgrade the USB 1.0 to a USB 2.0 so that I can have a faster link to an external USB hard drive?
    Thanks A
     
    AnnaF, Jun 1, 2008
    #1
  2. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    No, it isn't. The USB is soldered onto the motherboard, hence it is not upgradeable.
     
    Bog, Jun 1, 2008
    #2
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    If you have a PCMCIA / PC card slot then you can get an adaptor. Newegg has a selection. The adaptor may come with a cable to take power from an existing USB port or it might have a separate power supply (or both).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jun 1, 2008
    #3
  4. Nirvana

    Nirvana Notebook Prophet

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    ^^PC cards work great.
     
    Nirvana, Jun 1, 2008
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  5. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Yeah the pcmcia way is pretty much your only option. The only way you can get internal usb 2.0, is to use a soldering iron, and remove the usb hub from your laptops motherboard, and then replace it with a usb2 hub. However, this may not work.
    So the best bay is the pcmcia route.
    If your laptop has a docking feature/ability, you may be able to get a dock with usb 2.0 abilities.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jun 1, 2008
    #5
  6. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm. Wouldn't you still be at the mercy of the chipset's USB controller even with 2.0 hubs (unless the chipset is 2.0 compliant)?
     
    R4000, Jun 1, 2008
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  7. Xonar

    Xonar Notebook Deity

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    You are correct R4000, from what I understand the chipset controller would limit the transfer rate to 1.0 no matter what. The PCMCIA is the best option in your case, and it is certainly affordable.
     
    Xonar, Jun 1, 2008
    #7