Whether you need to connect a printer, a mouse, a camera, an external hard drive to your computer, all you need is a USB cable. USB 1.0 was the first USB technology to be introduced, followed by USB 2.0 and in the year 2010 USB 3.0 was introduced to the market, and for some years now new computers have been coming featuring USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 is impressive! Not only does it run 10 times faster than USB 2.0 but it also helps in correcting various performance issues. Thus, it is the best way to save time when transferring files. Although, USB 3.0 is a bit expensive, it comes with numerous features that you can’t afford to miss. Unfortunately, most computers that are being used today lack a Blue USB 3.0 Port; And I just, don’t know why is it that most users are still stuck with USB 2.0 even after realizing what USB 3.0 can do? You will find that most computer shops are still selling USB 2.0 computers, thus even if a user decide to let go the old computer for a new one he/she will still get a new computer featuring USB 2.0. To improve your computer performance you might like to upgrade your Laptop’s from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 port is powered just like USB 2.0, this means that don’t have to connect external components to external power adapter so as to power them while still connected to the USB 3.0 port. The USB 3.0 will do the powering for, and it delivers greater power than USB 2.0. The power from this port can power a number of devices, as it generates a power output of 900 milliamps which is more than enough to power any kind of small device.
So, What you need?
Older laptops and the new ones come with expansion slot on the side that can be used to add extra hardware functionality. The expansion slots are known as PCI ExpressCard. With this it is very easy to upgrade your laptop to USB 3.0; you just need to insert the USB 3.0 ExpressCard on the Laptop slot. You might be wondering what an ExpressCard is, it’s actually just a replacement for the PC Card, which was designed for laptop storage expansion. Generally, an Express Card is an interface that connects an External hardware device to the laptop. And that’s the easiest way what you can do to upgrade your laptop’s USB 2.0 to USB 3.0, by just using an ExpressCard. The expansion slot allows the addition of extra hardware to your laptop. In other words, the expansion slots slide a card into your laptop, thus adding wireless functionality to it. The expansion slot supports the full speed of USB 3.0, hence adding an ExpressCard USB 3.0 to your laptop is very easy. ExpressCard comes in different dimensions, therefore it is very crucial to check the width your laptop slot so as to find out which card will fit well. The size of expansion slot is usually determined by your laptop dimension. Generally there two kinds of ExpressCard out there; Expresscard54 and ExpressCard 34, this means that if your laptop slot width is 34mm you will need to use ExpressCard34, and if your laptop slot width is 54mm you will need to use Expresscard54. Although, the ExpressCards width varies, the length is the same. Your laptop might be using the older version of expansion slot known as PCMCIA (CardBus PC card). CardBus PC is usually used for wireless broadband cards or modems, and not for USB 3.0.
So, How to Install It?
Step 1 – Buy Compatible Size USB 3.0 Express Card
The first thing you should do is purchase a USB 3.0 ExpressCard that is compatible with your laptop. It is very important that you pick and purchase a USB 3.0 card that matches you laptop expansion slots in terms of width.
Step 2 – Shuts Down The Laptop And Put The Power Cable & Battery Out From It
You have already purchased the required card, now is time to shut down your laptop and unplug the power cable and finally remove the laptop battery. This is for security reasons, and to avoid damaging your computer. It will also prevent unnecessary disturbance while sliding in the card.
Step 3 – Insert The Card In And Put The Battery Back.
You can find an expansion slot on either side of your laptop. Generally, all expansion slots feature a plastic placeholder that prevents your laptop from being damaged when the slot is empty. You need to remove the plastic placeholder in order to insert the card. First, you need to push in the push button next to the side of the slot; the push button will extend out forming an extended arm. You have to push in the extended arm so as to release the placeholder. Remove the placeholder, and push in the extended arm completely until it clicks into place. You can now slide in your new card. Then put the laptop’s battery back to its place.
Step 4 – Turn On The Computer And Install The Drivers (Only If Needed)
You can turn on your computer, and give your laptop a few minutes to recognize the card before proceeding with the card installation. Depending on your laptop operating system the card will be detected and installed automatically. If this fails, you will have to insert the disc which came with the ExpressCard. Using the disc setup program provided, install the drivers. After the drivers are installed you may be required to restart your laptop. And Then You Good To Go!!!
#What To Do If Your Laptop Doesn’t Has An ExpressCard Slot?
I know sometimes it’s possible that your laptop don’t have any ExpressCard Slot on it, and in that condition, the best thing what you can do is to find the “Thunderbolt 2 Port” on laptop; Which you can use to connect the dock (docking station) and with the help of that dock you can actually do a lot more things, besides just upgrading to the USB 3.0. “And that’s all for now, thanks for sticking with the article, and you know it will always good to let me know about the tutorial, in the comments down below.” 🙂
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
