USB 2-0 Upgrade options
If your looking for a USB card for your desktop computer or laptop, checkout our USB buyers guide, where we cover how to check which version of USB your computer currently has, what you need for a USB 2 upgrade and the benefits of USB2 over USB1, and what would be right for you.
To install a USB card in a desktop or laptop computer it is pretty straight forward if you follow a few simple rules.
To install a USB card in a Desktop computer, regardless of whether you are installing into a computer that has no USB or performing a USB 2 upgrade , you’ll need the following
- Small/Medium Flat bladed screw driver
- Suitable hi-speed USB 2 5-port PCI card
- Phillips Screw driver
- Clean working environment
Firstly remove the power cable from the computer
This is a must as most computers today are soft boot types, even though the computer may be switched off, it will still have a small current running through the motherboard that could damage the card or the computer itself.
Next make sure that you are earthed to reduce the risk of ESD “ Electo Static Discharge “ damage. If your not sure about this read our basics guide to find out more.
Remove the screws from the top of the computers case.
Then remove the case, sometimes computer cases are a little bit stubborn but you should be able to use the flat bladed screwdriver, by gently prizing the top off the case, using the area where you removed the screws from.
Find a free PCI slot
Now remove the corresponding blanking plate. If the blanking plate is still fixed in “ sometimes this happens if the blanking plate has not been cut properly by the manufacturers” , use the flat bladed screw driver to break it’s seal on one side, then you’ll be able to wiggle the blanking plate until it comes out.
Watch your fingers as certain parts of the inside of the case can be pretty sharp.
Remove the PCI from it’s protective wrapping, try to touch only the edges of the card if possible. Press the card into the PCI slot, sometimes they can be a bit stubborn, but by pressing the front and rear of the card you’ll be able to wiggle the card properly into the slot.
Once the card is in place, it’s connector should hardly be visible.
Fix the card in using the screw from the blanking plate, and replace the cover. Remember to plug the mains cable back in.
computer adviser USB 2-0 upgrade article
Install / USB 2 upgrade for Laptops / Notebooks
With PCMCIA devices it’s just a case of putting the card into the PCMCIA slot and if prompted insert the drivers disk.
USB 2-0 upgrade article
Note
If you remove any devices such as PCMCIA or USB Type you must stop the device first.
To do this just click on the icon on the bottom of the screen , then select the device you wish to remove.
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computer adviser usb 2 0 upgrade article