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Topic: Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card (Read 2481 times) previous topic - next topic
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Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

I haven't found anything under "search," so here's my question.  I have an old computer (PII, 450 MHz running W2k) and until I replace it, I'd like to have USB 2 and Firewire.  Can anybody recommend a PCI combo card, i.e. a specific company and/or model card?  I'm looking for quality.  Or are the generic, no-name cards adequate?

Many thanks,
Sisyphus

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #1 –
Be careful about possible problems you might encounter.

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #2 –
RIV@NVX,

Thank you for your response.

One more question.  The VIA support information states "you MUST have Windows Service Pack 1 installed under WinXP for USB 2.0 to function."  Does that imply that USB 2.0 will not work with Windows 2000?

Many thanks,
Sisyphus

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #3 –
Quote
....
One more question.  The VIA support information states "you MUST have Windows Service Pack 1 installed under WinXP for USB 2.0 to function." .......

phooey, it is nice having a MB that has support for both Firewire and USB 2.
No service pack installed here and I have both interfaces available.
I can definitely understand the desire for them on an older system.

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #4 –
Quote
One more question.  The VIA support information states "you MUST have Windows Service Pack 1 installed under WinXP for USB 2.0 to function."   Does that imply that USB 2.0 will not work with Windows 2000?

I have Windows 2000 SP4 and an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo (with USB2 and FireWire, nForce chipset), and I can use both without problems.

I guess that warning refers only to Via's USB2 interface. Considering Via's crappy chipsets, I wouldn't be surprised if they messed up the USB2 controller as well.


I would personally recommend Adaptec products:
http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/p...ire+Combo+Cards

As you can see in their supported OS list, even Win98 SE is listed :B

Forget Via. It's crap.

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #5 –
Many thanks for all of the responses.  I'll stay away from VIA.....

Regards,
Sisyphus

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #6 –
SP1 for XP and SP4 for 2000 add native USB2 drivers to the OS. That is not to say you can't get it. If you have lower revision versions you can get USB2 drivers that will work.

Recommendation for USB 2 / Firewire PCI Combo Card

Reply #7 –
DreamweaverN,

Thanks for the info.  I was not aware that W2000 SP4 contained native USB 2.0 drivers.  I have not installed SP4 to my W2000, and I'm not sure if I will, given my distaste for MS.  I'll probably rely upon the Adaptec drivers that come with the combo card, per rjamorim's recommendation.

I'll buy a PCI card for the short term, but I think the best long term solution is to upgrade my hardware.    I've wanted to build a new system for a long time but I just can't seem to find enough time to do the research on MB's, memory types, etc.  And when I have done some research, by the time I get back to it, the technology has advanced again....  I'd love to hear people's recommendations for processors (AMD vs. Intel), chip sets, motherboards, memory types, front side  bus speeds, power supplies, cases, etc.

Many thanks to all who take time to respond.

Regards,
Sisyphus