pcmcia usb problems

Sam Vimes

im looking for something like this. problem with it is that it has a cable with a dc plug at one end and a usb plug at the other to provide power for it or something like that and it doesn't seem to work without it. of course the reason i need the thing is the usb ports are broken so its useless. i've been looking around on the net but i don't want to order something and find out it has the same problem. does anyone have one that they can say for sure you don't need existing usb ports to use it


i don't need firewire on it but good old maplin only had that one in stock

Hmm_Messiah

I have that card, or very similar (would have to root out) and it plugs into pte mouse socket (PS2) for power

u can also get a ac adaptor and used it instead, at 5volts I think from memory

kdouglas

have that exact card, got it on ebay though, not in maplin, the power cable it came with can be plugged into usb or ps/2

i dont think you'll need the power cable for things like printers or any external drives that have their own power adapter, for usb memory sticks and small external hard drives you'll definately need it though, since they draw their power direct from the usb port

Sam Vimes

ps/2 is a possibility but i returned it to the shop are all those cards like that? i'd prefer not to do muck about with extra cables if i don't have to. i have a few usb-ps/2 adapters. would any of them work? or did it come with one that i didn't notice?

Idleater

Commander Vimes wrote:

ps/2 is a possibility but i returned it to the shop are all those cards like that? i'd prefer not to do muck about with extra cables if i don't have to. i have a few usb-ps/2 adapters. would any of them work? or did it come with one that i didn't notice?

I have one of these. Seems to be very similar to the one that you mention apart from the fact that it is only usb2 no firewire. I use it in a laptop that has only 1 usb1 port (might be 1.1 not sure how to check). It works fine without external power supply - I didn't get one with it - or any cables that plug into the mouse port etc.

If I use the flash drive/ipod shuffle it is fine, HOWEVER for the external USB hard drive I have to plug one of the usb leads into the usb port on the laptop and one into the PCMCIA card. It doesn't seem to have enough juice to power the two USB ports on the card at the same time.

L.

Sam Vimes

hmm, they all seem to be that way. one port works fine but to use two you either need another usb port or an ac adapter. oh well, its the best i can do. thanks lads

Random

PS2 adapter... now why didn't I remember that when I spoke to you the last day? :P