Are the extra USB headers that come w/a mobo proprietary?

[MichaelD]

I think I worded that correctly....I think. Lemme explain.

My Abit KT7R mobo came with the bracket for two extra USB ports. You know, the bracket that goes in a PCI slot and then you plug the wires into the mobo? Right.

I figured on using this bracket with my new Shuttle mobo, which has the extra USB headers on the mobo, but didn't come w/an extra bracket.

The Abit USB brackets' plug has one pin "blocked off". One of the holes on the plug, is plugged. So, no matter which way I turn the plug, it won't fit onto the USB header on the Shuttle mobo, leading me to believe the plug is proprietary.

Is there anyway to use the plug? Modify it, maybe? Thanks.

 

[AndyHui]

Not really.

A typical USB port connection requires 4 pins.

The pin headers from manufacturers such as ASUS and Abit combine two pin headers (for 2 USB ports) with a single cable to a 10-pin plug, and block off the tenth for orientation so that you don't plug the ground into the power.

If you can get the pin assignments, (usually Power, USB+, USB-, ground), you should be able to do something.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Andy. The mobo manual for my Shuttle DOES have the pin assignments for the mobo header. How would I go about modding the plug?

Hmm. I guess I could look and see which pins on the mobo are what. Make sure they match up with the wires on the USB plug...and just drill out that plugged pin, right? I happen to have a set of very small drill bits...I knew my tool-buying sprees were not all in vain!

Have a good day.

 

[AndyHui]

Usually, the pin assignments for the plug are:

Power, USB1-, USB1+, Ground
Power, USB2-, USB2+, Ground, not connected.

 

[MichaelD]

Hmm. So, essentially, as long as the wires match up with the header (proper pin assignments) I could fabricate my own header, right?

 

[AndyHui]

That's right.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks Bud.

 

[flyerI]

I have used a small drill bit to open the blocked hole on the connector. If it is one connector instead of two seperate connectors make sure the wires are in the correct order. Example. Some are wired with the power for both ports on the same end of the connector. Some put the power on opposite ends of the connector for each port. Just make sure it matches the config for your mobo. Swap the order of one set to meet your needs.

 

[WebDude]

I ran into a problem trying to connect up an Antec EasyUSB (brings USB connectors to the front of the pc). What I discovered is that although the 5 pin line up is basically universal, the way the 2 USB connectors on the motherboard line up is not. That is why my connection wouldn't work, (because the cable that came with the Antec unit had 10 pin dual connectors and I couldn't reverse one side of it). I'm not sure if that's clear, so take a look at this page:

Antec EasyUSB

As you can see there seems to be 2 different mb pinouts for the extra USB ports. Your motherboard manual should tell you which pinouts you have. (It turns out in my case that the Antec unit I purchased had a none standard 10pin to motherboard connector. I returned it to get the correct double 5 pin connector, and was able to hook up everything correctly.)

WebDude

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. The Shuttle mobo has the 10-pin headers. So, it's 2 USB ports on one header. I got that.

I do need to check the order of the pins vs. the order of the wires on the connector, as I'm not sure that they line up. We'll find out, though! Later.