How to Upgrade to a USB2 Compaq 5420US
The motherboard in your Compaq Presario 5420US desktop includes four USB ports, but those ports use the USB 1.1 standard. While USB 2.0 devices are still compatible with the ports, they will only operate at the slower 1.1 speeds. If you want to take advantage of USB 2.0 speeds, the ports inside the computer need to be replaced. The USB ports are directly connected to the motherboard, however, so upgrading to USB 2.0 ports requires swapping out the entire motherboard.
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Instructions
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1
Turn off the desktop computer's operating system and wait at least five minutes for the internal components to cool. Unplug the power cable from the back end of the desktop's case and remove all the remaining cables for each other device attached to the computer.
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2
Set the 5420US case on a flat work surface and gently push the case onto its side. Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen and remove the two screws at the back of the access panel. Slide the panel to the left and lift the panel off the computer.
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3
Find the RAM module at the right side of the motherboard. The RAM is the green, rectangular module positioned to the right of the black cooling fan. Push down the plastic tabs at the top and bottom of the RAM to unlock the RAM from the motherboard.
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4
Lift the RAM off the motherboard and set it aside. Locate the plastic fan duct underneath the square, metal power supply unit. Push in the duct's retaining tabs and pull the duct off the computer's case.
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5
Unplug the cable connecting the black cooling fan to the Compaq's motherboard. Lift up the clips on the sides of the fan and pull the fan and its heat sink out of the computer to find the CPU.
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Lift up the handle at the bottom of the square CPU. Grab onto two opposite edges of the CPU and lift the component off the motherboard. Find the bundle of cables running from the metal power supply at the top-left corner of the case.
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7
Unplug the cable connecting the power supply to the motherboard. Remove the seven screws at the top and bottom of the motherboard. Gently slide the motherboard toward the right so the USB ports slide out of the holes in the Compaq's case.
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8
Pull the motherboard out of the computer's case. Set your new ATX motherboard inside the case. Line up the new USB 2.0 ports with the USB holes in the case. Replace the seven motherboard screws.
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Reconnect each of the cables and components you removed earlier to the new motherboard. Set the panel on the computer and replace the two screws. Reconnect the Compaq's power cable and each of the remaining cables removed earlier.
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Tips & Warnings
Your new motherboard, along with all the components that are removed from the old motherboard, will be damaged if any static electricity is discharged from your hands. Preventing any static electricity damage requires grounding yourself by tapping your hand against the metal tabs on the back of the Compaq's case.
