How can I get USB ports??

[StillBlue]

You may have seen other threads about my quest to revamp my 486, but a problem I do have is that I could really do with USB ports, but the motherboard only has ISA slots and a strange slot that looks just like a PCI slot but is slightly shorter.

It has a Parallel port, 2 Serial Ports, PS2 ports for keyboard & mouse.

The systems other spec can be found on this (http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?threadid=60370&referrerid=0) thread.

Thanx in advance.

Blue

[gsxr750]

What hardware r u going to be using for the USB?
how about try to find the converter for it.
Specialy for mouse and keyboard you could get USB<to>PS2 converter.
I try my Optical USB mouse with converter on PS2 port and it is fine.

[StillBlue]

Will definately be using a Rio 600 with it. As far as I know this only comes with USB connector.

:(

Blue

[DS]

Check this out:
http://www.iogear.com/

[StillBlue]

I can't see anything on that site that will help me. All the things I could see on there were for plugging into an existing USB port or a PCI slot (I have neither). Let me know if there was something on there that I did not see.

Cheers.

Blue

[Maddman]

the money would be much better spent on upgrading to say a k6-2 0r a k6-3 and motherboard with usb already on it. you should be able to find a board that most of your other hardware will fit in to.

[StillBlue]

I have a laptop in the pipeline (about 6 months away) and the 486 is just a stop gap since my newer computer went wrong big time (sparks the lot). My girlfreind has a Rio 600 and is bugging me to sort something out, so I though I would have a look round and see what I could do.

Blue

[Maddman]

I don't think that ISA would ever be able to support USB ports.

[StillBlue]

No, nor do I. I think that ISA is too slow. Not sure whether parallel or serial ports would be able to support a usb adaptor of some kind. There is also still a socket on the motherboard that looks like a PCI slot, but is a couple of millimeters too short. Not sure if that is anything that could help.

Looking like my girlfreind maybe Rioless for a few months.

Blue

[Maddman]

it is called a VESA local bus or vlb for short. Probably not much luck there either.

[StillBlue]

This (http://www.euronetwork.co.uk/item1464.htm) isn't what I think it could be is it?? Is this Serial - USB or USB - Serial?? What do you think?? They seem to have finished for tonight, but I will phone them in the morning I think. I did hear a whisper on another board that there was a Serial - USB adaptor. Is it possible??

Blue

[Maddman]

that looks like what you want but I whould do more research on it before I bought it

[gsxr750]

It a USB to Serial.

But I beleive that you would have to get a different cable for the USB.
It have a type B connector.

[StillBlue]

Oh. Not really what I need then. And there was I hoping it was USB to serial.:(

Blue