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Ok, I've been posting through various threads the past two days that all pertain to various aspects of pretty much the same process -- whether it be to insert an internal bluetooth dongle, internal card reader, or anything, they all pertain to tapping into an existing internal USB interface. I'm creating this thread to serve as a catchall as it pertains to the process of actually tapping into one of these interfaces in order to connect a USB device (which in my case, will be a USB hub, which will then be used to connect any arrangement of various other devices - bluetooth, SD card reader, possibly GPS, etc.).
The goal is essentially to imbed various USB devices without sacrificing any original device functionality (no lost USB ports, etc.) while also not modifying the exterior of the EeePC.
Here is a basic rundown of where I am in the process now. Thanks to various people on the forums, especially tnkgrl (who's in fact beaten me to finding out some of the things here), we've come close to actually having several workable options at our disposal.
First of all, here is what we know as of now:
The Asus EeePC runs off of the Intel 910GML series chipset, which uses the ICH6-M Southbridge chip for much of its I/O management. Based on various pieces of information about this Southbridge chip, we know that it supports up to 8 USB 1.1/2.0 ports, including 4 UHCI controllers, and one EHCI controller. This EHCI controller can then in turn manage up to 4 USB ports, including a single DEBUG variant.
Datasheets:
http://download.intel.com/design/chipse … 147302.pdf
The ports have been identified so far as such:
3x External USB ports
1x Internal MDC slot (pin #2 is USB Data+; pin #4 is USB Data-; pins #1,5,8,10 are GND)
1x Internal Mini-PCIe slot (pin #38 is USB Data+; pin #36 is USB Data-)
Unverified USB interfaces include:
1x Internal Speaker connector "SPEAKER" (USED)
1x Internal Webcam connector "CAMERA" (USED in 701 4G model)
1x Internal Debug connector "DEBUG_CON"
As of right now it is entirely possible to connect a USB hub to either the MDC slot or the Mini-PCIe slot using the given information regarding the USB Data pin arrangments. However, one would have to find a nearby +5V test point and a GND test point on the motherboard to complete the USB cable wiring. There are dozens of available test points, which I will point out on monday upon my return from Europe. The biggest problem with tapping into either of these two devices' USB interfaces is the fact that you would effectively lose the functionality of that device's original intention. For instance, you would no longer be able to install a modem to the MDC slot, as a device conflict would render both your hub and the modem inoperable. Same goes with the mini-PCIe slot. Tnkgrl assures me that this is not the case, and that the USB pins within these sockets are capable of being used in parallel with a connected device (unless that device uses the pins, of course).
As such, I'm currently hoping to determine whether the Webcam, Speaker, or DEBUG_CON interfaces will offer better alternatives. With the webcam and speaker connectors, especially, the fact that they use actual wired connectors as opposed to traces, it is possible to run a USB hub in serial to either of these connections, leaving all functionality intact, (albeit the loss of one of the out-going ports on the USB hub, which would now have to be used to connect the hereto disconnected webcam/speaker).
Till Monday,
~Psycho
Last edited by PsychoCemia (2007-11-12 9:05:30 am)
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Isn't the modem not working anyways? Is it possible to completely remove all modem-related hardwares from the e3 and:
1) use its USB for the hub
2) use the freespace to put the hub in
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@PsychoCemia, the MDC card slot provides simultaneous USB and MDC-specific serial signals... If you install a non-USB MDC modem, you can still use the USB signals.
Same with the mini-PCIe card slot - it provides simultaneous USB and PCIe signals. If you install a mini PCIe SSD, it will probably just use the PCIe signals, leaving the USB signals available! Most mini-PCIe modems (HSDPA/EVDO) only use the USB signals.
I don't think the speakers are USB based. The built-in AC97 sound card is probably driving them directly
Just FYI 
Last edited by tnkgrl (2007-11-09 5:26:25 pm)
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I've tried mini PCI-e pin#36/38 with 5V external power, it doesn't work.
It seems that the mini PCI-e slot on Eee is not compatible with standard one.
Also, only storage hardware(intel turbo memory or SSD, etc.) can used on Eee's extra mini PCI-e slot.
Internal SSD will disabled and Eee will try to boot from the mini PCI-e card if there's any card exist.
If it's not storage and bootable hardware(like wi-fi), eee will fail to boot.
Last edited by sam613 (2007-11-10 1:37:38 am)
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Take a look at this thread:
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=816&p=3
I found a very small hub and BT dongle for very small money (in the UK). I think the hub is a candidate for internal modding, because it is so small.
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PsychoCemia wrote:
As such, I'm currently hoping to determine whether the Webcam, Speaker, or DEBUG_CON interfaces will offer better alternatives. With the webcam and speaker connectors, especially, the fact that they use actual wired connectors as opposed to traces, it is possible to run a USB hub in serial to either of these connections, leaving all functionality intact, (albeit the loss of one of the out-going ports on the USB hub, which would now have to be used to connect the hereto disconnected webcam/speaker).
Exactly what I am planning to do. Tapping the Webcam usb line would be a much better way to add an internal hub. This way you can use all the space around the LCD and still keep the mini PCI-E area open for a future upgrade.
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Longhorn Engineer wrote:
PsychoCemia wrote:
As such, I'm currently hoping to determine whether the Webcam, Speaker, or DEBUG_CON interfaces will offer better alternatives. With the webcam and speaker connectors, especially, the fact that they use actual wired connectors as opposed to traces, it is possible to run a USB hub in serial to either of these connections, leaving all functionality intact, (albeit the loss of one of the out-going ports on the USB hub, which would now have to be used to connect the hereto disconnected webcam/speaker).
Exactly what I am planning to do. Tapping the Webcam usb line would be a much better way to add an internal hub. This way you can use all the space around the LCD and still keep the mini PCI-E area open for a future upgrade.
And, you get better clearance for the bluetooth aeriel. No PCB in the way.
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just have to wait till I can get my hands on a 4Gb Black EEE
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Hi, I don't have a eeepc yet, so it it a bit hard for me to be sure about this, but given the lsusb outputs that were posted on Internet, it would seem that the SDHC card reader is also connected through USB: http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/search_r … ttern=0cf2
Also, it seems that USB ports are disabled by default, on the ICH (that's what chapter "13.2.7 PORTSC[0,1]--Port Status and Control Register" claims), and I'm not sure the bios or driver will enable all of them, but writting to PCI registers with the setpci command might be enough to enable them.
Last edited by pipomolo42 (2007-11-12 2:51:26 pm)
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So people. I cracked open my Eee last night and went probing for signals all over the board...
Here's what I found:
- There is no USB on pins 2+ and 4- of the MDC card slot - this must be an optional feature of the MDC 1.5 spec
- There definitely appears to be be USB on pins 36- and 38+ of the mini PCIe card slot - to be further investigated
But mostly
- I have located 5V power that switches off when the system is in standby! The trace is thick enough that it should be able to provide 500 mA of current and is decoupled from the existing USB ports.
I'll be posting pictures soon. Just FYI
sam613 wrote:
I've tried mini PCI-e pin#36/38 with 5V external power, it doesn't work.
It seems that the mini PCI-e slot on Eee is not compatible with standard one.
Also, only storage hardware(intel turbo memory or SSD, etc.) can used on Eee's extra mini PCI-e slot.
Internal SSD will disabled and Eee will try to boot from the mini PCI-e card if there's any card exist.
If it's not storage and bootable hardware(like wi-fi), eee will fail to boot.
Last edited by tnkgrl (2007-11-12 5:57:38 pm)
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Has anyone had any luck adding an internal USB hub yet?
Cheers,
Kermee
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Kermee wrote:
Has anyone had any luck adding an internal USB hub yet?
Cheers,
Kermee
Yes and no.
YES.
There are a few suitable internal USB places to solder to.
No.
Most people have so far only wired things straight to USB items, not hubs. (I intend to put a hub in myself though, if my EEE ever arrives that is.)
Check out tnkgrl's internal USB mod: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/ … bluetooth/
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Kermee wrote:
Has anyone had any luck adding an internal USB hub yet?
Cheers,
Kermee
That should be YES and YES!
I've seen a couple of pics on the web. Here are some from a Chinese website showing a 4 port USB 2.0 hub with a 4G USB stick + Bluetooth dongle soldered together and stuck in an eee.
Or...how about this mod (same mod, different approach):
http://asuseeehacks.blogspot.com/2007/1 … ee-pc.html
Last edited by Crihz (2007-12-01 7:34:53 pm)
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@crihz, can you send the url of the Chinese site that shows the mod? Appreciate that.
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Thanks for everyone's replies.
Crihz, that's exactly what I'm looking to do. The Chinese mod. I've seen some Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub's and going to get one and take it apart. Planning to add a USB Corsair 16GB Flash and an MSI 2.0+EDR BT internally to start with.
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I was thinking of doing a 16GB mod myself!
The chinese mod (click the folders to see the pics):
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php … st=4143645
And another Chinese mod:
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php … st=4143953
I love the pic where he cuts the cable using a pair of scissors
And another one (In English):
http://www.eeeuser.net/?p=4
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hi
i have got a question - i want to connect to web cam's usb port 4 things: usb hub, web cam, bluetooth and flash drive. i'm wondering if it will handle it because it will increase power consumption. do you think it will work?
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I am using this method to power the camera and a bluetooth, with no problems. There is another member that is having trouble getting just his hub to power properly. Its one of those things that you may need to experiment with. Worst case scenario, you may need to pull power and ground from a spot on the motherboard- still not as bad as trying to grab the usb signals off the pci-e connectors.
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Kermee wrote:
Has anyone had any luck adding an internal USB hub yet?
Cheers,
Kermee
I've added an internal usb hub + 2x16 gb flash and bluetooth and wrote this sticky how to : http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=6036
hope it helps.
ba
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hi
i've got few questions:
first- does web cam's usb have 5V (off in standby)
2nd- i want to connect to web cam's usb - hub usb,bluetooth,flash drive,touch screen and web cam.do i connect it to the web cam's usb or do i take out the ground and power 5V?(which is better to do?)
3rd- when i do a usb wire by myself which will be connected to usb camera on motherboard-shall i go by colurs of that wire which is originally connected from web cam to motherboard,can someone send me a scheme how to do this small plug?
thank you in advance
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piter wrote:
3rd- when i do a usb wire by myself which will be connected to usb camera on motherboard-shall i go by colurs of that wire which is originally connected from web cam to motherboard,can someone send me a scheme how to do this small plug?
I too would very much appreciate if someone could post a diagram or pic detailing the connections of the USB cam cable, i.e., VCC, D-, D+ and GND. Not only that I won't have to do trial and error, I minimize the risk of messing things up. Thanks!
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