Lost my USB bracket cable (P4T-E)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ice D
  • Start date Start date
I

Ice D

Hi, I recently had my PC repaired, and I just found out that the cable is
missing from the USB bracket (which connects a slot with two extra USB ports
to the mobo, Asus P4T-E). The parts are:

- Asus USB/MIR rev1.11 (still got that)
- 10-1 pin ribbon cable (missing)

here's a pic that shows both the bracket and the ribbon cable
http://www.geocities.com/ek_79/asus_usb_mir.jpg

Here's a screenshot from the P4T-E pdf manual, describing the individual
pins:
http://www.geocities.com/ek_79/screen_asus.gif


So, assuming you can't buy this particular cable just anywhere, where could
I get another one of these10-1 pin ribbon cables, or maybe a new USB/MIR
including this cable (probably very cheap)? I contacted Asus (Netherlands),
but they couldn't help me out. Any help or suggestions are welcome.

Ice D
 
I'm pretty sure I saw one on the parts wall in the back of Fry's, at the Grand
Opening for their Atlanta store, on Sunday. So they do exist separately, not
sure where you'd get one online.
 
So, assuming you can't buy this particular cable just anywhere, where could
I get another one of these10-1 pin ribbon cables, or maybe a new USB/MIR
including this cable (probably very cheap)? I contacted Asus (Netherlands),
but they couldn't help me out. Any help or suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...

Not sure why Asus has a bracket with a PCB here. I think you should be
able to use a standard USB-bracket, which Asus delivers with a lot of
other boards, and which are sold by different retailers/webshops (at
least here in Norway).
 
Hi Ice D,
I think the A7V133 ones are exactly the same and I still have two of
them because I preferred to have USB connections on the front side of my
computers.
So if you live anywhere near Voorhout (between Leiden and Noordwijk) you
could pick one up for free.
 
Cheers Eric, much appreciated! In the mean time I did however find a Dutch
shop (http://tinyurl.com/3nld8) that sells an Asus 2 Port USB bracket
(suitable for A7V133 and other models, so they claim) for 5 euros. I sent
them an e-mail, asking them to confirm it's the right one. If that's the
case (it would seem so, judging from your response), I'll probably order it
from them. If it doesn't work out, I might take you up on your generous
offer :-) I live in Den Haag btw, so it's not too far away.

Cheers again, and also thanks to Jim and Cles for responding.

Ice D
 
You could also, if you have the need, buy a new 51/4" bracket with a
front plate that has two USB sockets for your floppy or internal ZIP drive.
That way it's easier to connect USB devices.
 
The cable is a standard IDC (insulation displacement cable) type cable.
You can make them for about $3-$5. You need a pair of 2x5 header
connectors (0.1" pin spacing)and a piece of ribbon cable (consider
sacrificing an old IDE or floppy cable). The hard part is that the
connectors are difficult to get in small quantity, and need to be
purchased from an industrial distributor (try Digi-key or Newark).
Normally, a cable that you make won't be polarized, while the original
was, so you could install it incorrectly. This is definitely something
that you need to watch out for and be careful about. It's possible to
buy polarizing keys for non-polarized IDC connectors.

Another approach is to buy the entire item on E-Bay. They do show up,
do a search for "Asus USB". I once got 7 of them for $5. Shipping may
cost more than the item itself.

Finally, you don't need to use the asus board at all. The header on the
motherboard is "generic USB" and you can use just a generic USB bracket.
However, it's critical that you get the plugs "pinned" right, there is
no standard pinout for motherboard USB headers, although there are 2 or
3 layouts that are relatively common (and the Asus board uses one of these).
 
Barry Watzman said:
The cable is a standard IDC (insulation displacement cable) type cable.
You can make them for about $3-$5. You need a pair of 2x5 header
connectors (0.1" pin spacing)and a piece of ribbon cable (consider
sacrificing an old IDE or floppy cable). The hard part is that the
connectors are difficult to get in small quantity, and need to be
purchased from an industrial distributor (try Digi-key or Newark).
Normally, a cable that you make won't be polarized, while the original
was, so you could install it incorrectly. This is definitely something
that you need to watch out for and be careful about. It's possible to
buy polarizing keys for non-polarized IDC connectors.

Another approach is to buy the entire item on E-Bay. They do show up,
do a search for "Asus USB". I once got 7 of them for $5. Shipping may
cost more than the item itself.

Finally, you don't need to use the asus board at all. The header on the
motherboard is "generic USB" and you can use just a generic USB bracket.
However, it's critical that you get the plugs "pinned" right, there is
no standard pinout for motherboard USB headers, although there are 2 or
3 layouts that are relatively common (and the Asus board uses one of
Click to expand...
these).

Thanks for all the info. As you've said, there seem to be a few pin layouts
that are common for USB brackets. They're all pretty much the same, but that
said 'pretty much the same' isn't good enough when push comes to shove (and
I'm sort of technically challenged as far as cables and wiring are
concerned). Anyways, I'm happy to say I've found the original bracket at the
shop I mentioned before, so it's on its way right now (price 5 euros,
shipping 6 euros :-)

Thanks to all who responded, much appreciated!

Ice D
 
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