laptop usb question

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hotfootball2000
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:20 pm

laptop usb question

Post by hotfootball2000 »

I have an ibm 600x thinkpad
it has been upgraded to more ram and a pentium 3 processor.
My question is, is there a way to add more usb ports it currently has 1?
thanks in advance!
Aguiluz
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Post by Aguiluz »

You can wire in a USB hub.
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hotfootball2000
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well

Post by hotfootball2000 »

i have a usb hub but if i just plug it in it dosent run fast enough due to the very low speed usb port
lifeisbetterwithketchup
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Post by lifeisbetterwithketchup »

If your laptop has a PCMCIA slot, you can buy a USB card for it that'll have 2-4 ports on it.
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hotfootball2000
Posts: 105
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hmmmm

Post by hotfootball2000 »

i wonder, i have 2 slots and one has a big wifi card but it might fit...
nitro2k01
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Post by nitro2k01 »

I reckon there should be a way to extract one more USB port from the dock by connecting wires to it and bringing them out. This will require you to remove the mobo since the soldering points of dock connector is situated on the bottom of the mobo. I've seen pictures of it and if you really want to go that route I can try to find it for you.
However, apart from being a cumbersome mod, it will still only offer you USB 1.0. You're better off with an PC Card USB controller. Try to look for one with a dongle instead of a head, which will make it easier to fit under your wireless card.
Yet another option is to buy a mini-PCI wireless card and ditch the wireless PC Card, to make room for a USB card. That option requires you to find a card that fits and you probably need to add an antenna, so some modding is required in that case.
Edit: A 4th option is to go for a USB card and a USB dongle for the wireless network. But if you do that it's going to stick out a bit, and it would be easy damage the wireless USB dongle.
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Last edited by nitro2k01 tomorrow, 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
hotfootball2000
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:20 pm

wow

Post by hotfootball2000 »

wow thanks which do you think would be the easiest option
hotfootball2000
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:20 pm

Think i got it!

Post by hotfootball2000 »

i think im gonna get rid of my network card put in the usb then plug in a network adapter for usb!
if there is any problems with this tell me please!
vskid
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Post by vskid »

If you mean that you're going to plug the USB wifi adapter into the USB PC card, it'll stick out like 6 inches. Something waiting to get busted off.
If you only use the wifi for internet, then using a USB wifi adapter with the original USB port might be good enough.

I personally would try to find a USB PC card that would fit under your wifi PC card.
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