Vostro 1400 DIY Internal USB Hub

[crayonyes]

Yes, I'm going to make one. Why?? because I can
I've been a fan of wireless stuff and wanting to use my wireless mouse without dongle sticking out, even the tiniest bit
no, I dont want a bluetooth one, had enough of sleep-freeze experience and now I'm back in good old nano receiver wireless.

So I cracked open the notebook, and found out that the two left usb ports are in a form of a tiny pcb board, separated from the mainboard.



well isnt it Great! It'll make the job easier huh
looking at the back side



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now my plan is to:



- cut the usb line at the back of one of usb female head
- connect 1,2,3,4 to one of the hub's output, making the external port still usable
- connect A,B,C,D to hub's input. This way I dont have to search for 5V source and Ground.

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I havent got the usb hub yet to complete this project,
but I've done the testing part with some unused usb extension cable :



And the result? I'm typing on it with dongle-free great performance, non-bluetooth mouse right now

This thread will be updated when I complete the internal hub. meanwhile, just wanna share some pics


UPDATE 1
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The latest setup on page 2.. here's a preview


UPDATE 2
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This is the Final Setup.
The usb hub is stripped to pcb, 2 usb ports (with cable), 1 port soldered to internal usb port, and 1 unused usb line
I placed the usb hub behind the original usb ports, and 2 cables run to between memory slot and battery bay.
I have a mouse receiver in 1 port, and another port is still unused.. will see if I can find a cool gadget to put there.



~ my journey for DIY internal usb hub is over.. This is it, DIY Internal usb hub ala chef crayonyes ~

[solidquality]

PertamaX already kept..

wow its great Gan.....but if you had a usb hub is it gonna be decrease batery life time..?

thx Gan

[crayonyes]

PertamaX already kept..

wow its great Gan.....but if you had a usb hub is it gonna be decrease batery life time..?

thx Gan

haha Thanks Gan..

I'm plugged-in most of the time, so battery life wont be a problem..
and my battery also still has a good 2.5 - 3 hours of use

[icefly]

Nice mod... clever.

[millermagic]

Where, internally, did you put it? I had one of these but never really cracked it open since it was under warranty

[crayonyes]

Where, internally, did you put it? I had one of these but never really cracked it open since it was under warranty

For testing with nano receiver above, I just put it like that,
behind the usb ports/ under the expresscard, there's enough room for it.

I'm planning to put usb hub between memory slots and battery bay,
there's enough room and height for a usb hub pcb there.. just need to get the right usb hub

[niffcreature]

hmm nice
the xps 1530 also has one one of those thingies. i was thinking of a reason to try this myself, but i dont really have one :P
how did you solder A,B,C,D? it looks kinda like they are hidden under the others

[crayonyes]

hmm nice
the xps 1530 also has one one of those thingies. i was thinking of a reason to try this myself, but i dont really have one :P
how did you solder A,B,C,D? it looks kinda like they are hidden under the others

yeah,, my only reason atm is the mouse receiver
if only I haven't had a bluetooth, I'd put a usb bluetooth too.

After the usb lines are cut, they are bent outside so it'd be easier to solder them to wires.
I cut them using whatever tools I have at home (small scissor and a cutter),, so it's a little messy LOL
Just need to understand the pinout here: http://www.allpinouts.org/index.php/...sal_Serial_Bus

[mydemise]

Hey,

Really like this mod, piggy backing off the external USB. Question though, does performing this mod render the external USB port unusable or any less reliable?

- Josh

[crayonyes]

Hi Josh,

I'm planning to get the external usb port still usable, by connecting it to the hub's output :

- connect A,B,C,D (usb line source from motherboard) to point X,
- connect 1,2,3,4 (external port) to point Y below.

usb hub that I'm planning to use (I'll crack open the body)