Opening a Compaq Armada M700 to add USB port

Factual Questions
1

I have a Compaq Armada M700 laptop which has one USB 1.0 port connector available but the USB root hub says it has TWO USB ports. I assume one is just on the motherboard and has no outside connector. I would be interested in being able to use this second port. I have checked the pins of the expansion / docking connector and the USB ports do not appear there. I am guessing what it takes is soldering a USB cable in the right place of the motherboard but I would need information about how to do this. I would need information about how to open the case and, specially, where to find the second USB port. I could fumble around opening the case but it would be better if I had the specific procedure. Laptop cases can be a bitch.

Adding a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card is out of the question because the PCMCIA slot is taken by an Ethernet / modem combo card.

2

No answer about how to solder a new port in, but why can’t you just plug in a USB hub? I’m guessing you will have something dangling out of the laptop either way. There are some very compact usb hubs out there.

Also note that this will only get you more USB 1 ports. If you freed up your pcmcia slot I believe your laptop supports cardbus, which means you can get USB 2.0 in there … might be worth it to do that and then get some USB-to-ethernet device (probably for $10 on ebay) to replace your ethernet pcmcia card …

3

Yes, I can use a hub (which I have) but that means sharing bandwidth.

It is an old laptop and not worth investing money on but I would not mind spending a little time to get one more port.

In fact, I could permanently wire a USB wireless adapter (maybe even inside the case) and have a free USB port.

4

The second USB port may be used for internal communication and be availabhle

5

I love these insane projects of yours! I love me some old hardware, but you’re the only one I know gutsy enough to take that laptop up off the floor where it’s been holding the door open and dare to dream.

I’m not a circuit board person, but I wouldn’t bet the farm that the 2 USB ports correlate to actual motherboard pinout conections. I think the hardware readout is simply reading what the USB chip is capable of.

Here is the factory technical servicemanual if you’re that ambitious (and I know you are).

6

Thanks. Well, I wouldn’t bet anything either. I would probably not even risk wasting time opening the computer unless I know exactly where I am going. We know what the chip is capable of and there is a (small??) chance the pins of port two are there waiting for a connection. But unless I know that before I go in it is probably not worth disassembling the laptop.

The device manager says Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller.

It seems the USB and other connectors are on a small secondary board but I am not sure whether it is just the USB connector, as I first assumed, or if the USB controller chip is on the board too.

I think there is a good chance the second USB might be available there. If I can confirm that then it would be worth cracking the case open. I find tinkering with hardware very satisfying (when I feel like doing it, that is, I hate it if I am forced to do it).

7

The USB board is p/n 135229-001 but I cannot find a schematic which would indicate what is actually on the board.

Can be seen here too: mk-stuff.de - This website is for sale! - mk stuff Resources and Information.

8

Oh, I thought that if both ports were on the same root hub then they’d be sharing bandwidth anyway.

But shared or not, isn’t USB 2.0 enticing at all? 40x the speed? Those cards go for next to nothing on ebay.

Though I do understand the geeky DIY desire to get in there and make your own mods to unlock the “hidden potential.”

9

I just learnt that (not that I thought differently but I just never asked the question.)

I guess that DOES put a damper on anu justification for my plan.

As I say, I really do not need the speed and the PCMCIA slot is taken. It is not worth investing money in this relic. It seems like I will stick with the hub I have.

The two devices I usually use with the USB are the webcam and the USB WIFI dongle. Normally I only use one at a time. At home I use ethernet and do not need the WIFI. So I even don’t normally use the hub.

Yup. Nothing like tinkering with stuff.