Internal USB port

[googlemad]

We've got some mini bluetooth adapters recently and guess what! At least 10% have gone missing

Are there any cables that can plug into the internal USB header and provide an internal USB port?

[K.C.Leblanc]

Something like this should do the trick. Just unscrew the sockets from the backplate.

[SYNACK]

Grab some of these USB Backplates > Maplin and unscrew the ports from the backplate. You can then install one per machine on a spare motherboard USB header and just velcro the port to the inside of a case. You can then plug in the adapters inside the case, I am not sure how well the signal will go through the metal case sides though. You may end up needing to install them behind a plastic front plate on the case to get the signal out.

Or some of these http://www.everythingusb.com/logic_u...ter_12293.html

[K.C.Leblanc]

Is there an echo in here?

[Gibbo]

When our Cubase dongles were disappearing we just bought some short USB extension cables, used a round file to cut some U shaped holes in a spare PCI backplate and then mounted them in the base of the case with a bit of "No Nails" glue.

[Michael]

Althogh the suggested idea should work, I doubt it'll work well due to the metal case as already pointed out. Bluetooth isn't that strong at all.

What exactly are you requiring Bluetooth for googlemad?

[googlemad]

Originally Posted by Michael

Althogh the suggested idea should work, I doubt it'll work well due to the metal case as already pointed out. Bluetooth isn't that strong at all.

What exactly are you requiring Bluetooth for googlemad?

For one of many projects to enhance learning bla bla bla!

Actually we have hundreds of front panel USB ports from old Stone computers hmm...Does it make any difference with Bluetooth if the ports are USB1 or USB2?

[SYNACK]

The current maximum throughput for Bluetooth 2 looks to be around 3Mbps which should be easily catered for by USB 1.1's 11Mbps capacity.

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by Michael

Althogh the suggested idea should work, I doubt it'll work well due to the metal case as already pointed out. Bluetooth isn't that strong at all.

It doesn't seem to be the case here, I can pick up pupils mobile phones in their bags through two walls!

[Michael]

It doesn't seem to be the case here, I can pick up pupils mobile phones in their bags through two walls!

It really does depend on the thickness and just what is in the walls too. Metal on the other hand can deflect signals, hence reducing signal strength/quality. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the quality would be affected.

[Gibbo]

Maybe the OP could route the cabling and dongle to the front of the PC case, behind a 5.25" blanking plate? (Providing any metal covers are removed).

[ZeroHour]

For our cubase dongles we bought USB addon cards and they all came with one internal USB connection and that seemed to work.

[CyberNerd]

Originally Posted by Michael

It really does depend on the thickness and just what is in the walls too. Metal on the other hand can deflect signals, hence reducing signal strength/quality. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the quality would be affected.

+1. A metal computer case is effectively a Faraday cage

[googlemad]

Well luckily the machines had a perfect spot for the little circuit board, and it has lots of ventilation holes so the signal can get out quite well. Looped a cable tie round a sticky pad thing so it is fairly secure too.

Put it this way, with the case fully on it easily picked up my Bluetooth phone when I stuck it at the opposite end of the office! (And our office is fairly large!).

Considering the students in theory should be sat at the machines it therefore should be perfect