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fesdds · Jun 14, 2006, 03:19 PM

I have not done much upgrading of my computers beyond RAM and Airport cards. I have a 733 MHz Quicksilver G4 that I need to hook a peripheral that requires USB 2.0. Is it possible to upgrade? Is it reasonably easy to switch out? If it can't be done I guess I'll end up getting a mini or iMac. Thanks for the help.

bowwowman · Jun 14, 2006, 07:44 PM

pci card

tons of them around
Belkin always good
many others too

pricewatch.com & google are your friends

fesdds · 11:21 PM

Can I switch from the 2 ports that it has to a 4 port?

GORDYmac · Jun 15, 2006, 11:03 AM

The two ports will remain...and will remain USB 1.1. You will have to open the case up to add the PCI card. I bought a 4 port card some time ago for mine, and it works great. Should be a really cheap upgrade.

production_coordinator · Jun 15, 2006, 09:54 PM

19.99 will get you 4 USB 2.0 ports... it takes about 10 mins...

I have the same system.

bowwowman · Jun 16, 2006, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

it takes about 10 mins..

and that includes the time needed to wipe the sweat from your forehead

Seriously though, It's no more complicated than installing ram:

A) Open side door
B) Ground yourself to the power supply with both hands
C) Remove pci slot cover (1 small screw)
D) Install pci card, pushing gently but firmly into slot
E) replace screw, firm but not excessively tight
F) Close side door
G) start up machine
H) connect your perpipheral
I) BE HAPPY

zacharydz · Jun 16, 2006, 10:48 AM

I agree that the installation of a usb 2.0 pci card is very easy, but I'm not sure if the Quicksilvers have the same problem as with the older G4s. I have a Sawtooth and I put in a USB 2.0 (NEC chip-set) in that was about $10. Everything works fine, except that that it messes up the computer's ability to go into deep sleep; if something like a printer is plugged into the card, it will sleep fine, but if something like a flash drive is plugged in (or anything that would need to be unmounted), it will hang the computer when you try to put it to sleep. It's not terribly annoying, but it's something you should keep in mind. (So just unplug any flash drives before putting the computer to sleep) As far as I know, everyone with an older G4 has had this same little problem and I *think* Quicksilvers are the same.

production_coordinator · Jun 16, 2006, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by zacharydz

I agree that the installation of a usb 2.0 pci card is very easy, but I'm not sure if the Quicksilvers have the same problem as with the older G4s. I have a Sawtooth and I put in a USB 2.0 (NEC chip-set) in that was about $10. Everything works fine, except that that it messes up the computer's ability to go into deep sleep; if something like a printer is plugged into the card, it will sleep fine, but if something like a flash drive is plugged in (or anything that would need to be unmounted), it will hang the computer when you try to put it to sleep. It's not terribly annoying, but it's something you should keep in mind. (So just unplug any flash drives before putting the computer to sleep) As far as I know, everyone with an older G4 has had this same little problem and I *think* Quicksilvers are the same.

Mine sleeps just fine...

Captain Curt · Jun 16, 2006, 10:47 PM

Upgrading to a USB 2.0 card was the fastest, cheapest, best upgrade I've made.

fesdds · Jun 18, 2006, 01:37 PM

Thanks everyone! I have just ordered a pci card and look forward to the quick install. I can hopefully increase the life of this machine some for only $20. This computer is my receptionist's computer and we needed to hook the USB 2.0 scanner to it.

IceEnclosure · Jun 20, 2006, 09:11 AM

My DA G4 doesn't deep sleep with peripherals attached to my USB 2.0 PCI card.

Not cool.

fesdds · Jun 22, 2006, 04:19 PM

What exactly is a deep sleep?

I have installed PCI card with 4 port USB 2.0 and my peripherals work great.

Eriamjh · Jun 24, 2006, 07:34 PM

Deep sleep is when the computer goes into a low power mode, display off, with all fans turned off. The power light on the CPU pulses gently brighter and dimmer during this time.

There are many cards that are not completely compatible with the Mac hardware or OSX's drivers. You should check XLR8yourmac.com for posts on USB2 cards that are completely compatible with Macs. I've heard the term OHCI as being the one to look for. There may be others that are compatible, but don't necessarily advertize that they are OHCI.

Usually cards that don't require XP drivers, no CD, are compatible with macs, but that is no guarantee.

bowwowman · Jun 30, 2006, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

I've heard the term OHCI as being the one to look for. There may be others that are compatible, but don't necessarily advertize that they are OHCI.

OHCI = Open Host Controller Interface = 100% compliant with ALL USB 1.0/.1 & Firewire 400 & PCI device specs at the time they were written, ie...power, voltage, wattage, resistance, transfer & load capacity yada yada yada

Has since be replaced with EHCI = Enhanced Host Controller Interface = USB 2.0/ Firewire 800..... yada yada yada........