X32 internal USB via dock or CDC slot?

[mojo-chan]

I want to add an internal USB flash drive to my X32, and am looking for info on where I can get access to a USB port internally.

I think there are probably at least two internal USB ports available, one on the Ultrabase dock connector and one on the CDC slot (for Bluetooth cards). I have been unable to find any information at all on either of these ports, so I can't determine which pins are for USB.

USB from the CDC slot would be ideal. Soldering on to such a tiny connector could be tricky, but it may be possible to modify a Bluetooth card or modem for easier access. I was hoping to use the space that the modem sits in for the flash memory since I don't need a modem.

The only other option I can think of is to connect to one of the external USB ports, but internally. The simplest way would be to just solder on directly, but that would mean I loose one of only two external USB ports. A more advanced solution would be to install an internal USB hub, cut the traces to the external USB port and re-wire everything so that the external port becomes one of the hub ports. That could be difficult to say the least, but not impossible.

[mikeh]

I looked at this and decided it was too dangerous. Not like the "old days" when computer chips
had 0.1" pin-spacing.
If I need more than two USB ports, I plug in a cardbus with two ports, which i had from my old thinkpad.
You mentioned elsewhere adding internal bluetooth. How are you planning to get the antenna out?
It only needs a simple wire for short range, not so fussy as wifi.

[mojo-chan]

I made a major breakthough - I find the USB D+ and D- lines on pins 4 and 5 of the CDC header! I had to trace them manually but they are there.

This makes sense, as the internal Bluetooth card uses this port and appears as a USB device. The USB port appears to be entirely independent (i.e. not one of the external ones). I have verified that flash drives attached to it are detected by Windows.

I only have a modem at the moment, but intend to modify it by attaching wires for the USB data lines. The modem only seems to use 3.3V power (and maybe the CDC port does not supply 5V) but I read that a lot of USB flash drives work okay at 3.3V. I have ordered a small 2GB one which I intend to fit internally.

By doing the mod this way, I only need to modify the modem card, not the motherboard. Modems are easy enough to come by and I don't use mine so it's not the end of the world if I somehow kill it when trying to solder onto the microscopic connector. Unfortunately there are no pads for USB (but there are for 3.3V and GND). The Bluetooth card might have some which could be used. I think the modification is possible though - I managed it once before when installing a modchip in a PS2

Internal USB flash memory will be really handy for me, as I can run BackTrack off it. I would just install it to the HDD, but it does not seem to play nicely with the TrueCrypt boot loader and is frankly more hassle than it's worth when the USB version works perfectly.

The only other clean option I can think of it to use a PCMCIA to Compact Flash or SD card adapter. Some are small enough to sit entirely inside the laptop frame with nothing sticking out, similar to digital cameras or mobile phones. I repair PCs for a living and you wouldn't believe how many damaged PCMCIA cards/slots and damaged USB cards/slots I see, but trust me when I say you don't want things sticking out of your laptop if you can help it

[guanghua19]

Do you have any more information at this point. It is an interesting mod I would like to try as well.

[sojourner]

Just a few thoughts:

1) I'm puzzled as to why the desperation looking for taps for internal USB for a flash drive. My X31 has a built-in CF port right on the lappie. Does the X32 not have a CF port?

2) if your flash card needs 5v for power can't the 5v be taken from the voltage regulator for internal USB? I believe a typical flash card shouldn't draw more than 100ma, which would be a consideration.

3) lastly, you mentioned USB via dock; I've wondered if the lappie has a built-in hub for the dock OR if the dock has a built-in hub with seperate power for USB. I'm inclined to think the latter. As for which docking pins are used for USB ...

I've looked for a schematic of the docking port for a T41 (wanted to tap the serial port), never found a schematic. If you find a source for these hope you'll pass it along.

[mojo-chan]

1) I'm puzzled as to why the desperation looking for taps for internal USB for a flash drive. My X31 has a built-in CF port right on the lappie. Does the X32 not have a CF port?

The CF slot is very slow, typically <1MB/sec. Also, it cannot be booted.

2) if your flash card needs 5v for power can't the 5v be taken from the voltage regulator for internal USB? I believe a typical flash card shouldn't draw more than 100ma, which would be a consideration.

You can do that. It means an extra wire and soldering directly to the motherboard though. My way you only have to solder to the modem card, which can be replaced easily if something goes wrong.

3) lastly, you mentioned USB via dock; I've wondered if the lappie has a built-in hub for the dock OR if the dock has a built-in hub with seperate power for USB. I'm inclined to think the latter. As for which docking pins are used for USB ...

It appears that the chipset has four USB ports available (you can see them all in Windows). The motherboard only has two external ports, one port of the bluetooth card on the CDC slot and one for the dock on the dock connector. The dock itself probably has a hub in it.

Anyway, I have got it working with 3.3V to a flash card. It performs normally, and can be booted. A very thin flash card will fit inside without problems. Unfortunately the pads are so small the connections are not very robust. I think it would be better to use a Bluetooth card as it has much better pads available.

[sojourner]

Anyway, I have got it working with 3.3V to a flash card. It performs normally, and can be booted. A very thin flash card will fit inside without problems. Unfortunately the pads are so small the connections are not very robust. I think it would be better to use a Bluetooth card as it has much better pads available.

Sounds like an interesting project, wondering if you could post a picture (or some pics) to help us see what you've done. Would also be interested in what kind of read/write speeds you are achieving with what flash card. It would also be helpful to see what (solder) pads you are using for data / power.

[Raceboy]

Does any other laptops other than X32 that have CDC slot have USB through it? Like X23? I know in Windows you can see three USB kontrollers, there's two ports and an UltraPort but does it have USB via CDC?

[mojo-chan]

Sounds like an interesting project, wondering if you could post a picture (or some pics) to help us see what you've done. Would also be interested in what kind of read/write speeds you are achieving with what flash card. It would also be helpful to see what (solder) pads you are using for data / power.

I'm afraid it's all packed up now but it's not hard to find the right points. Just use a multimeter and either look for the voltages or simply trace the connections. I'll try and do a photo next time I open the laptop up.

Speed is "native" USB 2.0 speed for the device, so I get about 4MB/sec write and 12MB/sec read with this particular flash drive.

[mojo-chan]

Does any other laptops other than X32 that have CDC slot have USB through it? Like X23? I know in Windows you can see three USB kontrollers, there's two ports and an UltraPort but does it have USB via CDC?

Any laptop that can take a CDC Bluetooth card has USB on the CDC port.

[mazzinia]

Now I'm going to say something stupid but... what about modifying the CF slot to connect it to the CDC USB line ? More mess, more complications... but if feasible would give a full speed booting CF slot...

[mojo-chan]

Now I'm going to say something stupid but... what about modifying the CF slot to connect it to the CDC USB line ? More mess, more complications... but if feasible would give a full speed booting CF slot...

It would be extremely difficult. You would need to disconnect the CF slot from the motherboard somehow. You would then have to connect it to a bootable USB CF reader, and find some way to cram it all into the available space.

[masterjet]

have u a manual for connection an internal usb ot the CDC slot???

I have(had) i CDC modem.
When trying to solder to 4 and 5 pings i had to dissamble the modem (i dont need it). So i got plug and solderd to 4 and 5 ping. +5v was taken from the external usb port but nothing happened . the USB bluetooth wasnt recognized .

Maybe the problem was that i turned off the option in the bios for the internal wireless device

[mojo-chan]

I'm afraid I can't find the picture I took now, but I'll try and take some more for you.

I suggest you make sure you have the D+ and D- lines the right way around.

[masterjet]

i tested both ways
using the screenshot of the mainbord on the Thinkwiki. The 1st pin is near to the external USB connectors.

It would be goot to attach there a usb hub. A bletooth module and a flashdrive would be very good for my t41. ill attach some screenshoots how i did it.