How integrated is USB into motherboards?

[Kaido]

I have an older G4 Cube that doesn't have any external expansion options and is running on USB 1.1. Is there any possible way to get USB 2.0 in there through soldering or is the motherboard so tightly integrated that this would not be possible?

 

[slackwarelinux]

Nope, it is not really possible.

It is too bad you can't find a USB 2.0 expansion thing for a USB 1.1 slot

 

[stevty2889]

If you have any PCI slots available, you could add a PCI USB 2.0 controller card. You aren't gonna be able to solder on anything to the motherboard that will give you usb 2.0.

 

[corkyg]

It's a G4 Apple cube - and Apples do not lend themselves to anything like that. With no expansion slots - I would start thinking Firewire. Don't all Apples have them? Anyway - see if anything here might help . . .

G4

 

[Kaido]

Yeah, I'm trying to go Firewire as much as possible, but it's a pain for some things. Firewire CompactFlash reader - $40. Firewire scanner - $150+. etc etc etc

 

[corkyg]

I feel your pain. I have a Firewire scanner, a Firewire DVD burner, and a Firewire media reader. As for the Compact Flash reader - USB 1.1 should be able to handle that adequately.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: corkyg
I feel your pain. I have a Firewire scanner, a Firewire DVD burner, and a Firewire media reader. As for the Compact Flash reader - USB 1.1 should be able to handle that adequately.

Nah, I already tried hooking up the camera itself (Canon A75) over the USB 1.1 connection. I had roughly 220 pictures on it to import into iPhoto and it took ages to get them all in. I've upgraded the hard drive since then and I'm upgrading the ram today, so I'll see if that makes any difference. If not, well, $40 is a small price to pay for speed

 

[Jiggz]

I thought I've seena firewire-usb cable before but after reviewing here it looks like it's only good for PC's and not for MAC's. You might want to check it out. On the otherhand, if you can locate a Firewire ->PCMCIA you can use a PCMCIA USB/Firewire cardbus.

 

[Zepper]

Camera transfer rates are always poor (except perhaps via a camera dock) - taking the card out and reading via a reader (even 1.1) is MUCHO faster.

.bh.