# Using USB on older computers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-usb-on-older-computers/175114>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 14, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-usb-on-older-computers/175114 "2003-05-14T02:43:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-usb-on-older-computers/175114/1 "2003-05-14T02:43:36Z")

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My friend has a fairly old (Pentium I) computer with no USB ports. The OS is Win 98, so software should not be a problem, but does anyone know of adapter cables (serial - USB, parallel - USB) or add-on USB cards that can provide a means of connecting a USB device?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-usb-on-older-computers/175114/2 "2003-05-14T02:53:49Z")

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You will need a USB card. PCI slot based USB cards are available for 20.00 or so on the net or about 30.00 retail in Circuit City or Staples.

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-usb-on-older-computers/175114/3 "2003-05-14T03:01:45Z")

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Some later model P-I mainboards had an onboard USB header that you could connect to an empty expansion slot with a cable assembly. Depending on the board it was either an 8-pin or a 10-pin header. Post your BIOS string and I can ID your mainbaord and tell if yours has onboard USB.