Reusing dead motherboards USB ports

[archiso]

I have a dead motherboard and I would like to know if I could reuse the USB ports and make a USB hub with them.

[tdkid]

i dont see why you wouldnt be able to do something like that other than i dont think a PCB exist that would allow you to do it.

[archiso]

1 minute ago, tdkid said:

i dont see why you wouldnt be able to do something like that other than i dont think a PCB exist that would allow you to do it.

Would I be able to make a PCB/have it printed?

[tdkid]

Just now, archiso said:

Would I be able to make a PCB/have it printed?

yes you can make a PCB and have it printed but you are going to have to find a company that is able to do it and making 1 PCB for what you arer planning on doing is going to be very expensive. 

[SupaKomputa]

You need a controller chip to make the hub. Otherwise it wont work.

[archiso]

Just now, SupaKomputa said:

You need a controller chip to make the hub. Otherwise it wont work.

There would be one on the motherboard right?

[tdkid]

i am going to go with yes since its not called the motherboard for no reason. you would just have to find it on your own since motherboard makers are not really that open to sharing their secrets. of course you might be able to google mainstream controller chips.

[Freakwise]

20 minutes ago, archiso said:

There would be one on the motherboard right?

That would be the case for some motherboard others?, Well, sometimes they're connected directly to the cpu or chipset

And mostly they're in tqfp or qfp package and you need to desolder it with hot air gun (possible with normal soldering iron) 

 

22 minutes ago, tdkid said:

yes you can make a PCB and have it printed but you are going to have to find a company that is able to do it and making 1 PCB for what you arer planning on doing is going to be very expensive

Not really some companies like jlc pcb offer 10* 2 layer pcb for like $2 to $5

(Not sponsored)

Edited June 13, 2021 by Freakwise

[archiso]

12 minutes ago, tdkid said:

i am going to go with yes since its not called the motherboard for no reason. you would just have to find it on your own since motherboard makers are not really that open to sharing their secrets. of course you might be able to google mainstream controller chips.

Ok, What would I look for?

[archiso]

1 minute ago, Freakwise said:

That would be the case for some motherboard others?, Well, sometimes they're connected directly to the cpu or chipset

 

Not really some companies like jlc pcb offer 10* 2 layer pc for like $2 to $5

(Not sponsored)

ok, I might use that.

[Freakwise]

 

4 minutes ago, archiso said:

Ok, What would I look for?

You can go to ti.com and search the appropriate usb switch hub that statisfy your need

 

https://www.ti.com/interface/usb/hubs-controllers/products.html

 

And the datasheet sometimes contain basic schematic and necessary components to make it work

Edited June 13, 2021 by Freakwise

[tdkid]

2 minutes ago, Freakwise said:

Not really some companies like jlc pcb offer 10* 2 layer pc for like $2 to $5

(Not sponsored)

yes there probably are but 10" 2 layer PCB is extremely fragile because its so long and thin plus those prices are probably for major companies like MSI, EVGA, gigabyte and others that put in huge orders of PCBs not just a custom job for 1 or 2.

1 minute ago, archiso said:

Ok, What would I look for?

honestly i dont know becausie its something i never thought of and probably wont have to as i have bought the extended warranies for my components so when they fail i can just RMA them for new or upgraded ones.

[archiso]

1 minute ago, Freakwise said:

 

You can go to ti.com and search the appropriate usb switch hub that statisfy your need

 

https://www.ti.com/interface/usb/hubs-controllers/products.html

Sorry I wrote that wrong, what I ment was what would I look for on the motherboard?

[Freakwise]

13 minutes ago, archiso said:

Sorry I wrote that wrong, what I ment was what would I look for on the motherboard?

Well, it's pretty hard I'd say, probably look into somewhere close to back i/o

Or close to chipset BUT, some companies do "wipe" the ic etched marking to avoid others copying, if i were you i just buy a chip separately if this was meant to be "fun project" and Just use the usb port, the controller is cheap, 0.70 cent a piece tops 

Depends on the model

13 minutes ago, tdkid said:

yes there probably are but 10" 2 layer PCB is extremely fragile because its so long and thin plus those prices are probably for major companies like MSI, EVGA, gigabyte and others that put in huge orders of PCBs not just a custom job for 1 or 2.

Yeah, but you don't need to make it as heavy duty as motherboard manufacturers ethier, for "project" that only needs 10x10cm tops pcb dimmension you don't need all of that "reinforcement" pcb are nowhere near fragile, yes you still can snap them, no it's not that easy like ice cream steak or toothpick

 

Also i meant 10x 2 layer pcb not 10 inch 2 layer pcb

Edited June 13, 2021 by Freakwise

[tdkid]

1 minute ago, Freakwise said:

 

Yeah, but you don't need to make it as heavy duty as motherboard manufacturers ethier, for "project" that only needs 10x10cm tops pcb dimmension you don't need all of that "reinforcement" pcb are nowhere near fragile, yes you still can snap them, no it's not that easy like ice cream steak or toothpick

true but if you look at most USB hubs they have a protecting layer around them (most of the time its plastic) where you plus the USBs in. they are not out in the open like your motherbaord is when you look at it thru the side panel. the plastic of the PCB is cheap. what is not cheap is the process to make the board. 

 

44 minutes ago, archiso said:

Would I be able to make a PCB/have it printed?

here is a company that makes standard and custom PCB boards. Mil Grade PCB Production Capabilities | Advanced Circuits (4pcb.com)

[Freakwise]

5 minutes ago, tdkid said:

true but if you look at most USB hubs they have a protecting layer around them (most of the time its plastic) where you plus the USBs in. they are not out in the open like your motherbaord is when you look at it thru the side panel. the plastic of the PCB is cheap. what is not cheap is the process to make the board. 

¯\(°_o)/¯....

 

I don't even think we're in the same page, the OP wants to repurpose His dead motherboard and make a "diy" ish usb hub something like these

 

Also I don't know what you meant by plastic protector or something since im talking about a pcb, JUST a pcb not the whole thing and

Quote

what is not cheap is the process to make the board. 

The pcb it self it's cheap like i said, only a few dollars 

 

[tdkid]

12 minutes ago, Freakwise said:

¯\(°_o)/¯....

 

I don't even think we're in the same page, the OP wants to repurpose His dead motherboard and make a "diy" ish usb hub something like these

 

Also I don't know what you meant by plastic protector or something since im talking about a pcb, JUST a pcb not the whole thing and

The pcb it self it's cheap like i said, only a few dollars 

 

we are on the same page. i know OP wants to repurpose their non working motherboard USBs to make a working USB hub. the issue making a custom PCB is not as cheap as you are making it to be. it is that cheap when you buy a massive amopunt of them but when you are only buying 1 that is of your design, its not that cheap. and yes i am talking about like most USB hubs you can buy from a store, they have that plastic outer layer to protect the PCB from damage. which is not possible when it looks like this. 4806263173_c0f87cce87.jpg (500×375) (staticflickr.com)

 

there are a number of factors that go in to making a working board. it will take me some time as i dont remember the name of it but there is a reddit story of this exact situation. the OP of the story was the one to make the PCBs, they would have to make them, send them out to the client for approval or improvment reccomendations and then build a new board based on what the client wants. this is the process that cost. the PCB itself is cheap but making it is expensive.

 

and besides this i gave OP a link to a company that makes PCBs

[archiso]

@Freakwise so I would take the usb ports off the mb find the usb hub/get one, then I have to design a pcb and get it printed?

[tdkid]

can you show us the motherboard and the USB ports?

[Freakwise]

4 minutes ago, archiso said:

@Freakwise so I would take the usb ports off the mb find the usb hub/get one, then I have to design a pcb and get it printed?

Yes that would be the case, it might seem easy (kinda) but they're some guidelines that you have to "follow" I'm assuming you're using usb 3.0 and you can find the guidelines online

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cypress.com/file/52741/download&ved=2ahUKEwjTqce4xpXxAhUD63MBHSr9DFwQFjACegQIHBAC&usg=AOvVaw18_Y6V8wF2RL-2n-Wdy74l

 

And assuming you can make the pcb (no offense) you can "copy" a recommended schematic that each manufacturers offers for their controller and simply start tinkering while also Keep using the guidelines as, well, guides

[Freakwise]

29 minutes ago, tdkid said:

we are on the same page

 Yeah, we're on the Same page I guess, just different paragraph...

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I must say you got most of the things right but there's some that I'd say not necessarily

 

Now since this is OP DIY projects, we're gonna Talk like this Is diy projects, not some medium or even small company project, get it?

 

So, firstly first the need of manufacturing/create a custom plastic case is entirely unnecessary

Now pcb Do need protection mostly from water and other metal/conductor and a DIY plastic enclosure like this is enough

 

Or acrylic case with standoff like thises

 

Because realistically this is fine not going anywhere and at most moved to another room

 

Secondly 

37 minutes ago, tdkid said:

there are a number of factors that go in to making a working board.

Yes, but if you follow manufacturers recommendation schematic the only other thing you must follow is standard guidelines whether be usb, ethernet, pcie, sata, you named it

 

Third

 

Quote

they would have to make them, send them out to the client for approval or improvment reccomendations and then build a new board based on what the client wants. 

Again i have to remind you that this is a DIY projects, who is they?, Who are the client?, Is OP a manufacturer ceo? (no offense if he is a real ceo)

 

Yes you can and should ask recommendation, but it doesn't cost money if anything, you can go to electronic engineering exchange and ask for recommendation and  again this is diy projects and getting a answer days or weeks later is not a problem at all

 

 

[tdkid]

1 minute ago, Freakwise said:

 Yeah, we're on the Same page I guess, just different paragraph...

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I must say you got most of the things right but there's some that I'd say not necessarily

 

Now since this is OP DIY projects, we're gonna Talk like this Is diy projects, not some medium or even small company project, get it?

 

So, firstly first the need of manufacturing/create a custom plastic case is entirely unnecessary

Now pcb Do need protection mostly from water and other metal/conductor and a DIY plastic enclosure like this is enough

 

Or acrylic case with standoff like thises

 

Because realistically this is fine not going anywhere and at most moved to another room

 

Secondly 

Yes, but if you follow manufacturers recommendation schematic the only other thing you must follow is standard guidelines whether be usb, ethernet, pcie, sata, you named it

 

Third

 

Again i have to remind you that this is a DIY projects, who is they?, Who are the client?, Is OP a manufacturer ceo? (no offense if he is a real ceo)

 

Yes you can and should ask recommendation, but it doesn't cost money if anything, you can go to electronic engineering exchange and ask for recommendation and  again this is diy projects and getting a answer days or weeks later is not a problem at all

 

 

ok we will talk about it being a DIY project as soon as you realize that is what i have been talking about. i was wrong and we are not on the same page. i am a few ahead of you becuase OP asked "I have a dead motherboard and I would like to know if I could reuse the USB ports and make a USB hub with them." si this means that OP has zero experience in doing this and therefor is going to need to find a company that can make the PCB they want. you should know you cant just lay down some plastic and call it a PCB by giving what you have posted. there are steps and processes that need to be done to make it work. a thin layer board might be cheap but its easily breakable especially in a DIY project such as this. a thick board is more ridgid but is also expensive. especially when the company that has to make the board is only going to make 1-2 of them to send to OP. if it was something like 10,000+ to be sent to a small or larger company then i can see the price being $2-5 per board no matter what. 
 

i think we have gotten away from helping OP in this and are having our own conversation which seem to happen with people who dont know what they are talking about or assume what someone is saying but getting it all wrong. this is what you have done. gone a completely different direction then what i am talking about. 

[Freakwise]

Quote

 

12 minutes ago, tdkid said:

ok we will talk about it being a DIY project as soon as you realize that is what i have been talking about. i was wrong and we are not on the same page. i am a few ahead of you becuase OP asked "I have a dead motherboard and I would like to know if I could reuse the USB ports and make a USB hub with them." si this means that OP has zero experience in doing this and therefor is going to need to find a company that can make the PCB they want. you should know you cant just lay down some plastic and call it a PCB by giving what you have posted. there are steps and processes that need to be done to make it work. a thin layer board might be cheap but its easily breakable especially in a DIY project such as this. a thick board is more ridgid but is also expensive. especially when the company that has to make the board is only going to make 1-2 of them to send to OP. if it was something like 10,000+ to be sent to a small or larger company then i can see the price being $2-5 per board no matter what. 
 

i think we have gotten away from helping OP in this and are having our own conversation which seem to happen with people who dont know what they are talking about or assume what someone is saying but getting it all wrong. this is what you have done. gone a completely different direction then what i am talking about. 

Yes i aggre, i was going to write if op has no experience but he replied and the topic i half way wrote suddenly just changed

I do however, have something to show you

 

Quote

especially when the company that has to make the board is only going to make 1-2 of them to send to OP. if it was something like 10,000+ to be sent to a small or larger company then i can see the price being $2-5 per board no matter what

 

Quote

people who dont know what they are talking about 

That's Fuckin' rude, but yeah whatever, everyone can be anyone in the internet

[archiso]

53 minutes ago, tdkid said:

can you show us the motherboard and the USB ports?

Here are pictures of the motherboard and the USB ports.

[tdkid]

9 minutes ago, Freakwise said:

Yes i aggre, i was going to write if op has no experience but he replied and the topic i half way wrote suddenly just changed

I do however, have something to show you

 

yeah i dont think i would take the word of a company based in china that has only been in business for 15 years at this point. those $2 PCB are going to be extremely cheap and not worth the hassle when they break. like everything from wish.com. its not worth it not to mention that is not how PCBs are made in the first place. the correct way is that you make the 12st layer placing all the lanes for the circuts then the holes are drilled, the next layer is put on top with those lanes and holes and repeat until the board is complete. Make professional PCBs at home - YouTube