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first time asking question sorry if this is noobish or the wrong place to ask.

I have an old PC from 2002 that I use for old games. I have no issue with it except the transfer speed is really bad (usb 1.1). There was no USB2 in 2002 but I was wondering if I install a USB2.0 card reader will that work here, and speed things up for me?

I think my mobo is called Compaq 0804h

Thank you

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  • Yes, I dont have PCI-Express on here, only PCI. Is there such a thing for PCI? Jul 31, 2017 at 12:24
  • At a pinch, if its just for file transfers, I've found ethernet works ok with another PC
    – Journeyman Geek
    Jul 31, 2017 at 12:35
  • Ethernet is a good answer too, I have a card but it would require another PC to be close by or getting a super long cord. Still I hadn't considered it, thanks Jul 31, 2017 at 14:35

2 Answers 2

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The card reader connects to USB 2.0 headers so would do no good there. You would need to find an appropriate PCI expansion card (with supported drivers for your OS, presumably)

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  • I guess this is the best possible answer. So I need a legacy PCI USB expansion card. Thanks so much, I would've wasted my money on the card reader. Jul 31, 2017 at 12:48
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To connect a USB 2.0 (fast) reader, you need a PCI card called "USB 2.0 host controller card", not any "expansion" (since there is no USB 2.0 to "expand"). Example: Startech.

There are no USB 2.0 host controllers in PCIexpress format, they exist only in old PCI standard, so your old 2002 Compaq should be fine.

You will need to find proper OS driver for this, and more or less functional drivers exists only under Windows XP and above. If you have Vista of W2k, this project might face some challenges.

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  • Luckily I am on Windows XP. I'm getting the card tomorrow , it doesn't seem like it comes with any CD, so not sure on drivers. Will report results tomorrow just for the sake of anyone wanting to read about it. Jul 31, 2017 at 20:45
  • If I recall correctly, XP does come with EHCI driver, but you might need to install it separately Jul 31, 2017 at 20:51
  • You were right, it didn't go so great. I installed it, and even managed to install the drivers (i think...it shows up in device manager) but it does nothing. when i plug a usb device on it, nothing happens. i even disabled every other USB controller on the computer thinking it was a bandwidth problem. oh well. it was only $5 Aug 1, 2017 at 22:26
  • @i-like-steak, the PCI-card EHCI controller should work absolutely fine in any PCI-based Pentium system, with full HS throughput. You should try again. Use USBTreeView for USB connectivity monitoring, superuser.com/a/1181052/620011 Aug 1, 2017 at 23:49
  • What would I do in that USBTree program? it shows everything as working, but when I plug something in it doesn't do anything. Aug 2, 2017 at 12:55

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