Above: a PCI USB card.

I realise that many run-of-the-mill or experienced computer users will know the content of this article already. There are some, however, – maybe newbies or non-computer-savvy users – who won’t  know it; and this article is for those people:

No matter how many USB ports there are on your computer, (Usually anything between 2 and 12, depending upon your motherboard and the builder of your computer, be it a well-known-brand, or a custom-build.) there may come a time when you simply run out of ports. Maybe one or more just stop working suddenly due to a hardware fault, or perhaps you have so many devices attached via USB that there are no USB ports left to connect to.

There’s no need to rush out and buy an additional or a replacement computer though: There are at least two much cheaper ways to deal with the problem.

The first is to buy yourself a USB hub:

 This method can on rare occasions have drawbacks as far as power consumption is concerned: A standard USB 2.0-enabled socket will deliver 5 Volts (+/- 0.5 V) at 0.5 Amps = 2.5 Watts approx. If the equipment connected to said USB port via the USB hub(s) tries to draw more than 2.5 watts of power then things start happening: The USB port physically can’t and won’t supply any more power; therefore something has to go without. – And consequently something won’t work as it should.

Overcoming this problem; should it arise, involves opening the case and installing a PCI USB card. This is a device which plugs into one of the PCI sockets on the motherboard, and, once installed, is accessible from the back of your computer.

“I’m not going inside the box! – Oh no way: I’m a technophobe and will just end up breaking something in a panic!”

Relax! It’s a very simple operation. Compose yourself. If it’s your first time inside a computer you may like to be supervised by a local geek you know; just to give you a bit more confidence and reassurance, so that if you feel you can’t go on – help is at hand.

I do suggest that you earth yourself before even opening a computer and/or handling any microelectronic device. If the computer remains connected to the AC Mains with the main power-switch turned off, then the case remains connected to your home’s electrical earth. You can connect a piece of wire to the case and connect the other end to a piece of metal jewellery if you like; or you can buy yourself an anti-static wristband which connects in a similar manner.

Forget everything you see as soon as you remove the side-panel of the case: I know it looks confusing and complicated. You’re right: It is. – But we don’t need to worry about that right now. There’s no microelectronic surgery or precision soldering involved in this operation.

Your PCI USB card should still be in the box and sealed inside the anti-static bag at this point.

Now identify a PCI connector on the motherboard; there should be at least 2. (Don’t get PCI and PCIe confused: they are different technologies and not in any way interchangeable. You’re looking for a PCI connector.) Either ask your friendly geek or find your motherboard’s manual and identify it using that.

Looking horizontally towards the back of the computer from your chosen PCI connector you’ll probably see a blanking-plate, (Usually metal) corresponding to where the USB sockets on the card you’re about to install will be positioned. Reach inside the case. – Try not to touch any of the other electronics purposefully. If you do so accidentally it should be all right so long as you remain earthed (See above.). – Push the blanking-plate outwards, applying pressure until it partly collapses towards the outside back of the computer case. Go round the back of the computer case and remove it completely by breaking any of the weak points remaining that are keeping it attached.

While remaining earthed via the wire or the wristband, remove the PCI USB card, sealed inside the anti-static bag, from its box, Carefully remove the anti-static bag, avoiding touching any of the card’s electronics wherever possible. Hold the card by the metal end where its USB ports are.

Move the card gently into the computer’s case so that the contacts on its side match exactly with the PCI socket on the motherboard. You’ll see a metal lug which is a tiny extension of the card’s metal plate. Keep this as close to the case as possible and you’ll find that it inserts between the edge of the motherboard and the back-end of the computer;s case, so that the card’s USB ports are flush with the outside of the back of the case. Ensure that the card’s row of contacts are flush with the PCI socket on the motherboard and gently press down until they all evenly slide into the PCI socket.

‘Nearly finished: You’ll now see a screw-hole on the tag at right-angles to the metal-plate on the back-end of the card. Match this up with the corresponding screw-hole on the case and insert and tighten a screw to secure the card in place.

Before you close the case; switch on and boot up the computer. The computer should see the new hardware t6hat you’ve just installed, and should automatically install drivers for it.

If it fails to do so then either the card is not inserted properly into the PCI socket or it is faulty. Shut down and switch off the computer at the back. Check that the card is firmly pushed down into the PCI socket and that all the connectors are making contact with the socket correctly. If you are sure that everything is as it should be; power on and boot up again. If the computer still fails to see the card and install drivers, do this check again, and if still nothing remove the card and replace with a different card of the same type.

Once your computer has seen, identified and installed drivers for the card, you can use it normally. Remove the earth connection between the case and yourself, check that you haven’t left anything loose inside the computer, such as tools, a screw, jewellery, etc, and replace and secure the case panel.

You have just fitted a USB extension card; and you’ll see a number of new USB ports at the back if your computer:use these normally as you would use any other USB port.

That wasn’t too hard was it? If you’re not happy with the above instructions then take a look at another site: This tutorial shows you how to install a PCI TV card – the same one that I still use in one of my computers would you believe. Although you’ll be installing a different type of card, as in a PCI USB card; you’ll nevertheless be installing it to a PCI slot just as with this card, so the principle is the same.

Either you’ve plugged in a USB hub, or you’ve installed a PCI USB card. You now have more USB ports to play with either way.

Happy computing.