pcmcia usb

**silvi4000** · 11-22-2009, 11:55 PM

Im trying to simply my current setup while upgrading some parts. Currently Im using a 4 port hub to connect gps, wifi/3g , webcam, touchscreen . The laptop has an unused pcmcia slot and Im wondering if installing a 4port usb pcmcia card would be better than running an external hub.
Anyone has experience with this, specially any hibernation/resume issues?
Any bandwidth issues? It seems the pcmcia bus is slower than usb 2.0. I guess I could move there low bandwidth stuff like touchscreen and gps.

The pcmcia bus does not provide enough power either so an external DC power source has to be connected for when the full 500ma per port is required. Its the same with the external hub so no difference there

**Greeno2k8** · 11-24-2009, 05:43 PM

hey, I've used a 4 port pcmcia USB hub for a while now and haven't had any problems at all.

You're right about its power, mine has a little power socket and came with a short USB to DC jack cable, meant to go from one of your main motherboard USB ports to the pcmcia hub purely to supply it with power so you'd loose one of your existing USB ports and as such would end up gaining 3 ports in total.

I bought mine from ebay for about £10, $17 and im very happy with it, didnt notice any speed differences, and its been used with usb hard drives and dvd drives. Also never had any issues with hibernation, behaved just like any other usb hub ive used

Jon

**silvi4000** · 11-24-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Greeno2k8

hey, I've used a 4 port pcmcia USB hub for a while now and haven't had any problems at all.

You're right about its power, mine has a little power socket and came with a short USB to DC jack cable, meant to go from one of your main motherboard USB ports to the pcmcia hub purely to supply it with power so you'd loose one of your existing USB ports and as such would end up gaining 3 ports in total.

I bought mine from ebay for about £10, $17 and im very happy with it, didnt notice any speed differences, and its been used with usb hard drives and dvd drives. Also never had any issues with hibernation, behaved just like any other usb hub ive used

Jon

Thanks for the information. Whats the model number or brand of your adapter?
I see about 3 brands models on eBay. Most like they are all the same chinese components internally but I rather go with one known to work

Once I get one I'll try powering it from an external DC source instead of using one of the main USB ports.

**Greeno2k8** · 11-25-2009, 05:16 PM

it says 'XWT-745NEC' on the backand is red and white on the front. No manufacturer listed as you might expect.

Jon

**silvi4000** · 12-09-2009, 05:38 PM

got 1 with a NEC chipset from eBay (it seems all of them use the same NEC chipset) and it works great. The setup is cleaner now without the USB HUB I was using and so far no issues hibernating/resuming.
If you are using a laptop with a spare pcmcia port and using an external USB HUB, installing a PCMCIA USB card to replace the external HUB is a good improvement.