Dog Crates, Computers and Throws-Oh My!


I finally decided to take the plunge and try to install USB-2 ports on our obsolete USB-1-only computer. If successful, the plan was then to install the 250 GB USB-2 external hard drive- then install Norton Ghost to backup the complete 80 GB internal hard drive. I chose this timing because the holidays were over, Penny was running off with PAM (so she wouldn’t see me pound my head against the wall) and finally I am only doing light work until I talk to the doctor tomorrow and see what’s up with my right shoulder.


The USB hardware is a PCI card with 5 USB-2 ports on it. With Windows XP it’s supposed to be plug and play-but it wasn’t. I uninstalled and removed the modem from the computer to open up a PCI connector for the USB card. I verified the computer was not affected by removing the modem. Then I stuck the USB card in and turned on the computer. It found the new hardware but did not find the proper drivers and failed to install. So I manually entered the drivers from the provided CD and this time the computer said the hardware was installed and ready. So I stuck on a flash drive to see if it would read it and the computer locked up.


After removing the card and restarting the computer I searched the web for advice. All of the reviews said the device was truly plug and play and they loved it. All except one guy who happened to have the same model computer as me. I was lucky to find his review. He had the same problem, called tech support and they suggested trying a different PCI slot. That worked for him and eventually it worked for me. I had to swap positions of the card 3 times. On the last try the computer found the hardware and successfully installed it. When I stuck a flash drive on it it worked! Yes, USB-2 is much faster than USB-1.


By this time I had the computer pulled out and opened up, cables and CDs everywhere and a big mess to clean up. I figured it was a good opportunity to straighten up. Before I could start the doorbell rang. I opened the door and to my surprise there was the replacement dog crate that Julian had promised. (See previous blog) I was pleased to see he was true to his word- and not a procrastinator.


Back to the computer I re ran all the cables, used tie straps to eliminate tangles and plugged everything back in. It was time to turn on the new external drive and see if it was plug and play. There were no installation instructions with it and no CD with drivers. This is when Penny got home – so she was her to see me flip the switch….and….. “New Hardware Found”…….”Finding Drivers”………..”The new hardware is installed successfully and ready to use”!!!! It worked.


Penny brought in the mail and one of the “free with rebate” 1GB flash drives arrived.
Then it was the doorbell again and the 3 feather and down throws we ordered were on our doorstep.


I installed Ghost and it is backing up our hard drive as I write this. Overall a successful day. It always takes longer than you think to do these things.


Tomorrow I may tempt fate and try to install the new wireless router we got during our Christmas buying frenzy. When I finally broke down and installed Windows XP service pack 2 on my laptop it became incompatible with our current wireless setup. I’m hoping the new router will work with the adapter on the laptop. If not a new adaptor may be needed for both my and Penny’s laptop.

I also ordered some hardware today for some furniture I will be building for Karen. This will be my first build it from scratch furniture project I do in the new workshop. Wish me luck – with that and the wireless system.