What if Socket7 MB doesn't have a USB port ?

[ssoni223]

A friend has an older socket7 MB, 256MB RAM and a AMDk6/400mhz.
He is satisfied with this configuration, but his MB does not support USB.

The simplest thing to do would be to swap the MB for another socket7 MB that supports USB.
(This way he does not have to upgrade his RAM and Chip)
Can he still buy this older type of MB?

Or, should he get one of those PCI cards that has USB slots?

 

[CraigRT]

if the MB is working good, seems very illogical to change out the board just to get USB.
I would just buy an add-in card and leave the config the way it is.
they are inexpensive anyways.

 

[mechBgon]

Yes, here's one for $20 shipped, which has three ports and even supports USB 2.0 (480Mb/sec): link As long as he has a free PCI slot, that would be quick and easy, plus you can re-use it in other systems if you want.

 

[tcsenter]

A friend has an older socket7 MB, 256MB RAM and a AMDk6/400mhz.

Wow, it must be really old. I've had i430TX and VIA VPX boards that supported USB. Are you sure there isn't a USB pin header on the motherboard? If there is, a USB motherboard cable assembly is all you need. Although this picture is from Belkin, you can find the same thing at computer shops and online for $5.00 - $7.00. This will work with most motherboard USB pin headers, but not all.

 

[Peter]

Exactly ... a socket-7 that's recent enough to run a K6-2/400 should have USB somewhere. What mainboard do you have there?

 

[Iron Woode]

It could be an AT board instead of ATX. So usb would appear to be non-existant. He may just need to get the bracket adapter and make sure the connectors are wired correctly and plug them in. The BIOS should have an option for turning on the onboard USB controller. He should check that first to see if USB is supported. The manual would give him more info.