How do I connect USB1 wiring to newer mobo?

[NoelS]

I've got a Themaltake Mambo case that I decided to use to build a Linux computer. The 2 sets of USB wires from the front of the case each have 5 wires: 4 in one block marked VCC, USB 1-, USB 1+, and USB Ground. There is also a single wire marked Shield.

Question is, how do I connect these 5 wires to the 7 lead connector on my mobo? The Thermaltake manual is of no help, and Google failed me...

This is a new one on me

Thanks for any help, Noel

 

[Zepper]

USB mobo connectors usually have two rows of 5 pins (one side for each of two ports) The 5th pin in one row may be missing and the 5th pin in the other row may be connected or not. I've never seen a mobo USB connector w/ only 7 pins.

You need to check your mobo manual for its USB connector pinout. If you don't have the manual, give us the make and exact model number of it. It sound like you are looking at the wrong connector entirely. Can damage hardware if connected wrong.a The integrated USB ports on my mobo got blown out, so I KNOW!

.bh.

 

[NoelS]

bh,

My error, you're correct - 9 pin connectors, not 7 pin - I was relying on my 76 year old memory

My mobo is an ASUS A8N-VM CSM. It has 2 normal USB connectors on it, the kind with, as you describe, 5 pins on one side and 4 on the other. But most new cases have 2 USB pairs tied into a single 9 pin block. Anyhow, this CASE does not have 2 USB connectors in a 9 pin block to put on the mobo connector as most CASES do. It has 2 sets of connectors - each set has 4 pins in a block plus a single pin shield

My ASUS mobo User Manual shows the pin outs for the USB connector as USB +5V, USB_P6-, USB_P6+, GND and NC on one side (5 pin side) and the other side as USB+5V, USB_P7-, USB_P7+ and GND (4 pin side). The CASE diagram shows each 4 pin block as USB Power (+5V), USB Negative Signal, USB Positive Signal and USB Ground. Each actual connector also has that extra "Shield" connection.

So how do I hook it up? The mobo manual describes the kinds of connectors I've been using for my last 6 or 7 builds, the 9 pin style, not these 4+1 pin connectors...

I guess I could pair up these 4 pin connectors side by side and connect to the 8 pins, +5V as lead connector for each, then use one of the shield connectors for the 9th pin (or just unhooked)? If not, then how?

I'm stumped. Never saw a case that didn't have 9 pin connectors before...

Again, thanks, Noel

 

[Zepper]

Just be glad it's only 4+1, I've had several that each pin was separate, as back then you couldn't depend on the mobos' following a standard pinout. So just use the 4 pins on the mobo connector and if there are some other mobo connectors nearby with free ground pins, you can hook the shield(s) to them as ground is common across all connectors.
You can test the 5th pin that says it's not connected to see if it is actually tied to ground (many are even tho labeled as NC), then you could use that for one shield. Usually the shields are tied at the front panel end anyway so one is all that's really needed. Could check that theory with an ohm meter/multi meter or just look.

Lots of case connectors just bind the shield and signal ground leads together. Typical case wiring color code is red-5V, wht-data neg, grn-data pos, blk-ground. Just be sure as ports can be blown.

Just out of curiosity, let us know what this case is so it can be avoided.

.bh.

 

[NoelS]

Zepper,

Thanks. I'll start by putting one 4 pin connector into one of the mobo 9 pin connectors, on the 5 pin side. Then I'll hook the shield to the GND on the second row of 4 pins on the 9 pin connector on the GND connector... If that works, I'll hook the second set up to the second mobo connector. This is obviously an earlier version of USB 1. On the second set, I may try to cozy it up into the 1st mobo connector beside the first 4 pin block and move both shields to another location. I can't lose much with this case and an old 939 set-up...

The case is a Thermaltake Mambo. Cheap case that I bought (with a 430 PSU) 2 years ago on the advice of some "experts" on another forum. As soon as I opened it up, I saw it was a mistake. BUT, I'm just putting together an "extra" to try Linux out. For practice

Thanks again, Noel

 

[Zepper]

Well, the Mambo is a recent enough that its front panel USB wiring should be to the standardized pinout.

.bh.

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Well, the Mambo is a recent enough that its front panel USB wiring should be to the standardized pinout.

.bh.

You would think so, wouldn't you - they don't even have a FireWire cable or front connector (it's blocked off).

 

[Zepper]

Yes, a FW front port is uncommon on inexpensive cases. If you want to add front panel ports, etc., go to http://www.frontx.com . They carry a wide assortment of cable assemblies both to hook to internal ports on the mobo and to external ports (and with or w/o their modular panel unit). They offer pass thru PCI slot cover plates for the cables too.

.bh.

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Yes, a FW front port is uncommon on inexpensive cases. If you want to add front panel ports, etc., go to http://www.frontx.com . They carry a wide assortment of cable assemblies both to hook to internal ports on the mobo and to external ports (and with or w/o their modular panel unit). They offer pass thru PCI slot cover plates for the cables too.

.bh.

Zepper,

Thanks, I'll take a look...

Noel