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USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-09-2010 at 09:00 PM

On my mobo I have around 6 unused ports in the back, the problem is I want those ports to be accessible on my desk (so I can easily plug in/out).

Now I know I can get USB male to female cables, however I want them all to be in an enclosed box.

(I do NOT want a AC powered hub, I want 1:1 ratio so no splitting involved in the hub).

[Image: idea_17019.png]

mspaint explains.

Do such things exist, or will I have to buy my own enclosure and build my own like I did with my Audio Input Selector :zippy:

Thanks (l)

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by CookieRevised on 10-09-2010 at 09:49 PM

They exist.

I have seen such panels (5 1/4") with a couple of USB ports in them being sold in some local PC shops over here. They came with short usb cables meant to be plugged in on the mobo.

PS: Try eBay also if you can't find something like that.

-------

EDIT:

Since you also made your own audio splitter thingie, this might interest you to build your own front panel connections and combinations: http://www.frontx.com/

They sell both pre-made panels, as (very interesting in your case) modular panels. eg: you can combine your usb ports and audio connections into one nice looking panel.

[Image: detail1b.jpg]

EDIT2: What menthix said about the cable lengths and grouping ;) So, make sure you check on that and then also check http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5.

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by Menthix on 10-09-2010 at 09:50 PM

Doubt that exists. What Cookie said ;)

Keep in mind though, there is probably already splitting going on in your motherboard. As in not all those 6 ports are fully powered. Perhaps they are split in 3 groups of 2, or even 2 groups of 3. Worth checking out before you waste money on 6 cables.

I have to ask, what do you need 6 fully powered ports accessible from desk for? :p

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-09-2010 at 11:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
I have seen such panels (5 1/4") with a couple of USB ports in them being sold in some local PC shops over here. They came with short usb cables meant to be plugged in on the mobo.

PS: Try eBay also if you can't find something like that.
Definitely going to check ebay I just didn't know what to search for to get non-splitting ones :zippy:

That frontx stuff is pretty cool but quite expensive for the task. Getting cables off ebay from a chinese seller will be < $1 a cable, and an enclosure will cost maybe $2 at a local electrical store so I refuse spending $16 for a Dual USB thing from them :p
quote:
Originally posted by Menthix
Keep in mind though, there is probably already splitting going on in your motherboard. As in not all those 6 ports are fully powered. Perhaps they are split in 3 groups of 2, or even 2 groups of 3. Worth checking out before you waste money on 6 cables.
I was aware of such groupings (I believe on my X58 it is indeed split into 3 groups of 2), however I just didn't want any further splitting than what was needed :p
quote:
Originally posted by Menthix
I have to ask, what do you need 6 fully powered ports accessible from desk for?
Nothing special, just on occasion I swap quite frequently and going to the back is a pain, and splitting 1 port into 4 causes some issues (especially when it's my non-AC powered Rock Band hub :cheesy:)
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by CookieRevised on 10-09-2010 at 11:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SonicSam
Definitely going to check ebay I just didn't know what to search for to get non-splitting ones :zippy:
something like: usb front panel

But it's hard to search for such stuff when you don't want to have hubs (I don't think you can define "-hub" on ebay as you can on Google). You probably need to sift thru the found list yourself.

PS: You actually can make your own 1-to-1 connection from many simple USB hubs though if you can solder a bit. All you need to do is cut the connections to the splitter on the electronics board and solder (the correct) wires on to the sockets.
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-09-2010 at 11:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
(I don't think you can define "-hub" on ebay as you can on Google)
You actually can, -<keyword> does get excluded. I use it quite frequently when sifting through for deals. Can't find anything though (even a replica of the frontx product)

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
PS: You actually can make your own 1-to-1 connection from many simple USB hubs though if you can solder a bit. All you need to do is cut the connections to the splitter on the electronics board and solder (the correct) wires on to the sockets.
I will definitely do that if I can't find a simpler solution.
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by CookieRevised on 10-10-2010 at 12:08 AM

imo it will be the most easiest solution (if you can solder). It will also look the best because cutting out the rectangular holes for the usb connectors will be a bitch though and its extremely hard to get it nicely done and all lined up nicely.

quote:
Originally posted by SonicSam
That frontx stuff is pretty cool but quite expensive for the task. Getting cables off ebay from a chinese seller will be < $1 a cable, and an enclosure will cost maybe $2 at a local electrical store so I refuse spending $16 for a Dual USB thing from them :p
If you decide to build your own, don't buy an enclosure at all, simply get a blank 5.25" (or 3.5" whatever your PC has) front panel which costs like 5 cents or whatever, or even free if ask your local PC seller for one (nicely).

PS: you could also try to search the net for: usb bezel
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-10-2010 at 12:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
imo it will be the most easiest solution (if you can solder). It will also look the best because cutting out the rectangular holes for the usb connectors will be a bitch though and its extremely hard to get it nicely done and all lined up nicely.
I can solder as that's how I did my SPDT switch for the Audio Selector. Even drilled the box myself :cheesy:

I don't exactly want them to be on the front of the case so a blank front panel wouldn't be helpful, I want to be a separate box that'll be on my desk (which is close but not close enough for my liking, however within the mentioned 4M limit of USB)

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
PS: you could also try to search the net for: usb bezel
Will do :zippy:
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by CookieRevised on 10-10-2010 at 12:57 AM

PS: after looking around a bit, those modular front panels from FrontX don't seem to be so expensive anymore though...

Anyways, when searching I came across this too:
http://cgi.ebay.com/panel-mount-USB-2-0-female-Ma...ash=item35ace1e871

And this looks like it has 4x 1-to-1 USB connection (according to the comments)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N...ID=skim1132X509988

Here is a complete DIY guide for the exact thing you want:
http://www.azog.org/?p=152




EDIT: ah, you _don't_ want it on the front of your PC? Oh well.... /me slaps dodgy Sam :D Then why not simply connect 6 cables to the back of your PC and strap them together and glue the connectors on top of eachother? :p

And if you realy want to go fancy, do some shrinking tube around the 6 cables, and a big shrinking tube around glued together connectors....

RE: RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-10-2010 at 01:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised

EDIT: ah, you _don't_ want it on the front of your PC? Oh well.... /me slaps dodgy Sam :D Then why not simply connect 6 cables to the back of your PC and strap them together and glue the connectors on top of eachother? :p

And if you realy want to go fancy, do some shrinking tube around the 6 cables, and a big shrinking tube around glued together connectors....

YEEEEES :cry:

I could do the hillbilly solution but I wanted it enclosed! I wanted to know if there was a commercial pre-built product before I did it myself.

A shrink tube solution would allow for adding/removing easily, so I may do that, but I'd have to be careful not to mess up which end goes with which. I guess I could paint each connector end a different color, or a certain color of electrical tape.
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by CookieRevised on 10-10-2010 at 01:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by SonicSam
I could do the hillbilly solution but I wanted it enclosed!
hillbilly? hillbilly? Oi!! :p
If you use simple USB extension cable cables with molded connectors, they are already enclosed no?
[Image: elelctronica-lrg-KD1lOije5BNr.jpg]left = female / right = male

So glue the female connectors on top of eachother with very strong glue and you have a block. A big shrink tube around that and you'll have a nice looking (and very solid) 'encloser' ;)

Cut the other (male) connectors of (or get a cable with only one molded female connector). After that put all the cables coming from your 'block' together, shove another shrinking tube around that to make it into one cable, solder the male connectors on, et voila...


PS: Can I order two of such sets with 4 connectors from you? :D
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-10-2010 at 01:37 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
If you use simple USB extension cable cables with molded connectors, they are already enclosed no?
Enclosed inside a small box (in addition to the actual enclosure of the USB :p) (see my audio switch links in the first post). The reason I mentioned hub is because USB ports are enclosed inside a structure!

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
So glue the female connectors on top of eachother with very strong glue and you have a block. A big shrink tube around that and you'll have a nice looking (and very solid) 'encloser'
I guesssssss, I will consider this :p

quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
PS: Can I order two of such sets with 4 connectors from you?
I will get back to you when I get into wholesale (a).
quote:
Originally posted by CookieRevised
hillbilly? hillbilly? Oi!!
(l)
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by Adeptus on 10-10-2010 at 07:58 AM

There apparently are USB Quickport inserts.  All you would do with these is assemble them with M-M USB cables and a Quickport box or wall plate. The boxes and plates come with 1, 2, 4 and 6 ports.  You can also get various other types of inserts and blanks. 

This is the closest I think you will get to a "pre-built" solution for this, the only downside being it's not very cheap.


RE: RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-10-2010 at 12:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Adeptus
There apparently are USB Quickport inserts.  All you would do with these is assemble them with M-M USB cables and a Quickport box or wall plate. The boxes and plates come with 1, 2, 4 and 6 ports.  You can also get various other types of inserts and blanks. 

This is the closest I think you will get to a "pre-built" solution for this, the only downside being it's not very cheap.


AAAAAHHH. That's exactly what I want. As you said however, the price is too high for the purpose.

I will build it myself and it will most likely come up to the price of one USB Quickport insert.

Thanks Cookie, Adeptus and MenthiX :cheesy:
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by Chrissy on 10-10-2010 at 05:19 PM

Just get a hub, and wire it up so it doesn't split :P

I'm sure if you open it and take pics cookie can tell you what to do :P

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by Chancer on 10-10-2010 at 05:29 PM

What about this: http://www.usbnow.co.uk/Hubs-Internal_USB_Hubs/c1.../product_info.html
Fits both 3.5" and 5.25" slots (adapter included).

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by Adeptus on 10-10-2010 at 06:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SonicSam
I will build it myself and it will most likely come up to the price of one USB Quickport insert.
Yeah.  I also looked at one other thing I knew existed that you might like -- furniture grommets with USB ports.  That's even more slick if you don't mind drilling your desk :p  Unfortunately, those cost more than a typical home office desk on average.

I'm with you in that I trust connecting directly to the motherboard ports more than any hub, but in this case probably would just get a hub.  The tiny one I bought ~4 years ago has worked very well, although I avoid using it for external hard drives (no specific reason, just not taking chances with my data).
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-10-2010 at 06:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Chrissy
Just get a hub, and wire it up so it doesn't split :P

I'm sure if you open it and take pics cookie can tell you what to do :P
In that case I might as well buy a hub, remove all the insides and just replace with my own ports, as doing it that way would require cutting wires and replacing ends (male to female).
quote:
Originally posted by Chancer
What about this: http://www.usbnow.co.uk/Hubs-Internal_USB_Hubs/c1.../product_info.html
Fits both 3.5" and 5.25" slots (adapter included).
Defeats the purpose. Even if it's powered by a molex, the port is split from 1:4. I want 1:1 (or whatever the motherboard splits my ports into, as in no further splitting).
quote:
Originally posted by Adeptus
Yeah.  I also looked at one other thing I knew existed that you might like -- furniture grommets with USB ports.  That's even more slick if you don't mind drilling your desk :p  Unfortunately, those cost more than a typical home office desk on average.
This desk isn't worth that kind of money, and I wouldn't want to do that incase I ever wanted to switch up the layout :zippy:
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by lizard.boy on 10-11-2010 at 02:42 PM

I just have a 10' usb male to female cord hot glued to my desk. However I wouldn't suggest cheap cables that long since sometimes I can't sync my iPod properly off of it. Hot glue is my favorite thing ever.

RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by prashker on 10-13-2010 at 06:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lizard.boy
I just have a 10' usb male to female cord hot glued to my desk. However I wouldn't suggest cheap cables that long since sometimes I can't sync my iPod properly off of it. Hot glue is my favorite thing ever.
I also have one of that length, works perfectly though when I plug my LX-3000 into it :p.
RE: USB backports -> front accessible hub? by nimicitor on 12-04-2010 at 02:08 PM

What about doing something like this?