Aspire 5742 - is it possible to upgrade USB ports from 2.0 to 3.x

Petrolhead276

as title, is it possible to upgrade the USB ports to the later USB format and speeds?

if not what is the technical limitation stopping this?

anyone know?

TECH_MAN

Hi Petrolhead276

The expansion slot supports the full speed of USB 3.0, hence adding an ExpressCard USB 3.0 to your laptop is very easy.

• Step 1 – Buy Compatible Size USB 3.0 Express Card

The first thing you should do is purchase a USB 3.0 ExpressCard that is compatible with your laptop. It is very important that you pick and purchase a USB 3.0 card that matches you laptop expansion slots in terms of width.

• Step 2 – Shuts Down The Laptop And Put The Power Cable & Battery Out From It

You have already purchased the required card, now is time to shut down your laptop and unplug the power cable and finally remove the laptop battery. This is for security reasons, and to avoid damaging your computer. It will also prevent unnecessary disturbance while sliding in the card.

• Step 3 – Insert The Card In And Put The Battery Back

You can find an expansion slot on either side of your laptop. Generally, all expansion slots feature a plastic placeholder that prevents your laptop from being damaged when the slot is empty. You need to remove the plastic placeholder in order to insert the card. First, you need to push in the push button next to the side of the slot; the push button will extend out forming an extended arm. You have to push in the extended arm so as to release the placeholder. Remove the placeholder, and push in the extended arm completely until it clicks into place. You can now slide in your new card. Then put the laptop’s battery back to its place.

• Step 4 – Turn On The Computer And Install The Drivers (Only If Needed)

You can turn on your computer, and give your laptop a few minutes to recognize the card before proceeding with the card installation. Depending on your laptop operating system the card will be detected and installed automatically. If this fails, you will have to insert the disc which came with the ExpressCard. Using the disc setup program provided, install the drivers. After the drivers are installed you may be required to restart your laptop.

And Then You Good To Go!!!

#What To Do If Your Laptop Doesn’t Has An ExpressCard Slot?

I know sometimes it’s possible that your laptop don’t have any ExpressCard Slot on it, and in that condition, the best thing what you can do is to find the “Thunderbolt 2 Port” on laptop;

Which you can use to connect the dock (docking station) and with the help of that dock you can actually do a lot more things, besides just upgrading to the USB 3.0.

Hit LIKE If this Helpful

Spelunker

Petrolhead276

 In a laptop you won’t be able to install an internal USB 3.0 card. Instead, you’ll need to plug in an external USB 3.0 Express Card adapter. Because an internal USB 3.0 card can be installed only in a desktop. Unfortunately, if your laptop is an older model with a PC Card connector instead of an Express Card connector you won’t be able to upgrade to USB 3.0.

You can purchase a USB 3.0 Express Card adapter at stores or online (Amazon).

Installing it is a fairly simple – simply plug it into the slot located on the side of the laptop and install the drivers (Windows will most likely automatically install the drivers for you.)

TECH_MAN

Hi Petrolhead276

The expansion slot supports the full speed of USB 3.0, hence adding an ExpressCard USB 3.0 to your laptop is very easy.

• Step 1 – Buy Compatible Size USB 3.0 Express Card

The first thing you should do is purchase a USB 3.0 ExpressCard that is compatible with your laptop. It is very important that you pick and purchase a USB 3.0 card that matches you laptop expansion slots in terms of width.

• Step 2 – Shuts Down The Laptop And Put The Power Cable & Battery Out From It

You have already purchased the required card, now is time to shut down your laptop and unplug the power cable and finally remove the laptop battery. This is for security reasons, and to avoid damaging your computer. It will also prevent unnecessary disturbance while sliding in the card.

• Step 3 – Insert The Card In And Put The Battery Back

You can find an expansion slot on either side of your laptop. Generally, all expansion slots feature a plastic placeholder that prevents your laptop from being damaged when the slot is empty. You need to remove the plastic placeholder in order to insert the card. First, you need to push in the push button next to the side of the slot; the push button will extend out forming an extended arm. You have to push in the extended arm so as to release the placeholder. Remove the placeholder, and push in the extended arm completely until it clicks into place. You can now slide in your new card. Then put the laptop’s battery back to its place.

• Step 4 – Turn On The Computer And Install The Drivers (Only If Needed)

You can turn on your computer, and give your laptop a few minutes to recognize the card before proceeding with the card installation. Depending on your laptop operating system the card will be detected and installed automatically. If this fails, you will have to insert the disc which came with the ExpressCard. Using the disc setup program provided, install the drivers. After the drivers are installed you may be required to restart your laptop.

And Then You Good To Go!!!

#What To Do If Your Laptop Doesn’t Has An ExpressCard Slot?

I know sometimes it’s possible that your laptop don’t have any ExpressCard Slot on it, and in that condition, the best thing what you can do is to find the “Thunderbolt 2 Port” on laptop;

Which you can use to connect the dock (docking station) and with the help of that dock you can actually do a lot more things, besides just upgrading to the USB 3.0.

Hit LIKE If this Helpful

Petrolhead276

thanks guys for the replies.

My model is an Aspire 5742-480G50Mnkk ; Mfg Date 1103 ; Model No: PEW71 

Unfortunately it doesn't have the Express Card adaptor.

I was already aware that Desktops are easier to retrofit with USB & other upgrades as things just plug into the PCI slots on the motherboard. I was rather hoping that someone more electronically technical than i am had done a USB port upgrade on a similar model and could say whether it was worth the expense or not to do so.

As I have been thinking about an Upgrade to the laptop for a while I now need to make a decision between portability of a powerful Video & Photo editing laptop or a more basic laptop with USB 3.1 PLUS a desktop for home editing of Photos and 4K videos.

Tech_Man I hadn't heard of the Thunderbolt 2 Port before, i will have a read of the service manual I have for the Laptop and see if it has one. So i might be back for some more info in this respect. 

Update: I have had a good look at the SUB ports on the laptop and they are all the normal USB 2.0 version (with the Squiggly USB icon beside them).

So looks like its time for an upgrade. 

Petrolhead276

Having looked up Thunderbolt ports i thought i would post this link for others who might find this thread useful
https://uk.pcmag.com/laptops/45633/feature/what-thunderbolt-3-means-for-pc-connectivity-an-explainer