Portable Hard Drive - USB 1.1

Steve · Nov 23, 2008, 22:29:57

But looking at the photo something's going to have to go or move. There is a free slot on the board but no way of fitting it. How about the bottom one is that usb or IEEE 394 or both.The top card I am presuming is amodem you could bin that?

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 22:35:32

Quote from: Den on Nov 23, 2008, 21:42:28
The switch on a socket only switches the live side of the socket and not the neutral so be carefull incase the polarity is reversed.

Not on a double pole switched socket, where both the live and neutral are switched, which is most likely, although to be fair, not guaranteed. The chances of the phases being reversed are quite remote but again not unheard of.

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 10:00:16

Ian, while you're in there, give the machine a dusting (I use a paintbrush and vacuum cleaner)...

Steve · Nov 24, 2008, 10:07:22

Quote from: Rik on Nov 24, 2008, 10:00:16
Ian, while you're in there, give the machine a dusting (I use a paintbrush and vacuum cleaner)...

I use a hairdryer then complain to the wife that someone needs to do a bit of dusting and hovering around here

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 10:07:53

That would work too.

DarkStar · Nov 24, 2008, 11:23:38

Quote from: stevethegas on Nov 24, 2008, 10:07:22
I use a hairdryer then complain to the wife that someone needs to do a bit of dusting and hovering around here

I nearly put a bit in my last post about not looking at the dust. If I mentioned to my wife about dusting she would say "you know where the duster is"

So, I have now had another, closer look inside after reading the comments. The bottom 'board' which carries the two USB sockets appears to be connected to the motherboard by a 'flat cable' for lack of a better word. It does not not fit into a PCI slot at all and there is no slot in a position to take a card in that position. The third space up (looking from the outside) has two square sockets marked phone line and the round ones are MIK and SPK, this I believe is the old, now redundant modem connection board? The connector above that is not used at all and has a flat cable plugged into the rear of it that runs to the motherboard. If I temporarily unplug this cable I would be able to get at the modem board and remove that, hopefully without too much trouble. Question, do these boards come out and replace easily ie: are they a tight fit? So it looks as though Steve's suggestion re: removing the redundant modem board is the (only) way to go.

Ian

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 11:28:37

They are, of necessity, a tight fit, Ian, but not to the extent of needing tools. Just ease it out by lifting at each end alternately until it's loose. When you fit the new card, otoh, try and press it down evenly along the entire length.

Steve · Nov 24, 2008, 11:36:54

You seem to have some Mesh card locking system unfamiliar to me. If you can unlock the card it should pull out towards you. If you can find a USB card with a cable attachment as well you maybe able to convert the front sockets if you have any to usb 2.0.As Rik says installation is straight forward line it up and ease it in and check its aligned along the socket

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 11:38:39

I've seen that lock before, Steve, it's just a matter of flicking a clip instead of removing a screw.

DarkStar · Nov 24, 2008, 11:51:19

Now that I know what to do and having I hope taken on board (brain cells are not what they used to be

) all the welcome advice I will have a look round for suitable USB card and try my hand at updating the machine. Have never fiddled about with the workings of a computer before so am a bit wary of what I am doing.
If I had realized that I could upgrade the USB when I had the operating system reinstalled I would have had it done then. Had the memory upgraded from 512MB to 1Gb. Should have gone for 2GB.

Rik, I was going to get a can of that compressed air to do the inside dusting once until I found out how much they are. £10+

Ian

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 11:56:52

Do you have a Costco near you, Ian? They do they for a fraction of that price.

DarkStar · Nov 24, 2008, 12:08:51

I live in the sticks in Suffolk Rik, nothing like a Costco near me. There is a Maplin in Ipswich about 15-18 miles away. Don't go to Ipswich if I can help it, hate the place.
I have a local computer shop 3 miles away that builds their own machines. He is pretty reasonable so I'll ask there first. ie: pick his brains

and then search the net.

Ian

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 12:13:42

He might even do the job for you for a small amount...

DarkStar · Nov 24, 2008, 14:38:31

Quote from: Rik on Nov 24, 2008, 12:13:42
He might even do the job for you for a small amount...

You're not suggesting I spend money Rik

Seriously though, I had thought about that but I only have the one machine and I get withdrawal symptoms after about an hour without it and am now quite taken with the idea of doing it myself now that I understand what is required.

Ian

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 14:43:24

It's only a five minute job, Ian, once you've done it, you'll not think twice about changing other cards.

Steve · Nov 24, 2008, 17:31:53

There is an AGP slot I think in your picture begging for a AGP graphics card

Should improve graphics performance if you can pick one up cheaply.

DarkStar · Nov 24, 2008, 18:21:10

I have identified a Belkin USB 2.0 PCI card that has good user reviews on the net. Most have installed it in older machines like mine without any problems and it appears to be plug and play, seems Windows already has the required drivers, so I'll have a look round for prices. I have printed off a picture of it and will have a look inside to make sure it will fit. A picture here:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=122162

I'll delve into the AGP graphics card later when I've got the USB card installed and working (hopefully)

Ian

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 18:24:42

You should have no problems with that, Ian. Windows has the drivers for any standard USB card.

vitriol · Nov 25, 2008, 13:14:18

Good luck, just take your time. It's dead easy.

DarkStar · Nov 26, 2008, 15:10:34

Belkin USB 2.0 PSI card arrived this morning, circa 11:30 (early, different postman). After chasing up the road to get my parcel off him because he wouldn't wait for me to answer the door I brought the CPU downstairs, blew and hoovered the dust out - got the old modem card out and put the new USB card in it's place and plugged all the cables back in. Started up and waited for Windows to find the new device

and bingo

everything working. Downloaded a video clip and did a differential backup

Couldn't believe how much faster it is. I new it was faster but the transfer speed has gone from around 10mbps or less to well over 200mbps!

So, a big thank you to everyone for your help and above all encouragement.

Ian

Steve · Nov 26, 2008, 15:15:57

Glad it worked out. Now whats next

Rik · Nov 26, 2008, 15:17:42

Great news, Ian. Now about that graphics card...

Ray · Nov 26, 2008, 15:26:22

Nice one, Ian, and in case you hadn't noticed Rik is rather good at spending peoples money for them.

Rik · Nov 26, 2008, 15:27:30

I do spend my own as well, Ray, but it's more fun spending for others.

Ray · Nov 26, 2008, 15:33:36

Quote from: Rik on Nov 26, 2008, 15:27:30
I do spend my own as well, Ray, but it's more fun spending for others.

Oh yes, it is definitely better spending other people money, Rik.