USB Header Connection
 

Hi, I recently purchased an internal card reader but did not check to make sure that I had the right connctions first! It has a USB lead that connects to a 9 pin header connection but I cannot find one of these on my motherboard. My motherboard is an M7VKD. I have a pci card with an internal USB port and was wondering if there is any way of getting a cable that would fit it. Also, does anyone have any other ideas how I may go about connecting the device? I am a computer novice!

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

Are you sure its USB as USB is 4-pin

And :welcome:
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The 9-pin head sound like its a serial port a row of 4-pins and a row of 5-pins
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This is a male 9-pin serial port
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2005/08/9.jpg

Re: USB Header Connection
 

what is the make and model of the card readerif its internal then it may be here mine says usb45

but this is the closest i could find i'm sure someone will confirm or deny this soon
so dont do it until they do
and :welcome: to cf

mobo user manual ftp://ftp.biostar-usa.com/manuals/M7VKD/M7VKDmanual.pdf

Re: USB Header Connection
 

The connector gabs is talking about is one where all the cables go into a black block (or each cable has a black plug on it) which then plug onto a pin block on the motherboard, like case front panel connectors. Look at http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7vkd and the manual as there is an option for that board for front panel connectors as well.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

Is it a 9 pin header like the above connector or is it a black plastic 2 row connector that actually has 10 pins??

As the 2nd one is the most common onboard type of connection for these.
as can be found here

For dual ones that is, for something like a card reader it usually has a single row connector.

Your internal connector is detailed on page 20 of the manual.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

Hi,thanks for all the replys. The connector is the black plastic two row connector and I've found the correct pin block on the motherboard. The only problem is that the black connector only has 9 of the 10 holes open and connected. The 10th slot is covered by plastic. The pin block on my motherboard has 10 pins so I would have to make a hole in the black plastic connector to fit it on. Even then, I have no idea which way on it would go. Hope that all makes sense!

Re: USB Header Connection
 

The tenth pin is null, in fact, only 4 pins per usb port are live.

they're
+ 5V
Neutral / Ground
+ Data
- Data

Leave the header as it is, the 9th pin is to prevent mis-alignment, and the tenth is intentionally blank.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

There are several possible layouts though, and it sounds like the motherboard header lacks the missing pin "key".
http://www.directron.com/installusb.html
That deatails two layouts, as I often refer to them , "same way" and "opposed" - there may be others.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

Yeah its good you pointed that out Matth as some motherboards require the pins to be arranged differntly. If done incorrectly it can cause damage to your system so study the pins carefully.
Good luck.

Re: USB Header Connection
 

I had this problem a year ago and managed to fit the card but it was wired differently When it switched on I was trying to heat up the chassis :shocked: :Yikes:
A quick google found out the pinouts on my card and mobo and a rearrangement of the pins got it going properly:)
It was a bit scary removing the cable,it was rather hot:erm:

Re: USB Header Connection
 

Success!!! I had a look at all the info and realised that I needed to change around the pin layout as my motherboard header is the Gigabyte style layout. After checking and rechecking I plugged it all in and switched on the pc. I now have a fully working card reader!

Thanks for everyones help

gabs