Is there an external device that will covert a USB 2 port to a USB 3 port?

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I have an older Lenovo ThinkCentre with several USB ports, none of which are USB 3 compatible. When I checked my device manager I found several root hubs, one of which is (USB 3). I also found an Intel (R) USB 3 eXtendible Host Controller- 1.0 (Microsoft). I have attempted to understand what each of those devices will do but the explanations are incomprehensible for me. I an not a techie.

I have done several searches in the hope of finding a simple device that will allow me to insert an external adapter in to either one of the several USB 2 ports or in the one USB port that doesn’t seem to accept anything that I own. I have also tried looking for an external device on Amazon that would solve my problem but all I found was more confusion.

My OS is Win 10 Pro 22H2 OS Build 19045.3083. Help, please.

Peace, CAS

 

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Have you considered a pcie to usb adapter? Random search on Amazon.

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CAS

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CAS wrote:

I have an older Lenovo ThinkCentre with several USB ports, none of which are USB 3 compatible.

USB 3 is a protocol, not a device.  All USB 3 devices are backward compatible.  It seems to me you’re talking about USB C, which is a protocol  as well as a design change in port.  A USB C device will not plug into a USB A port.

Here is an Amazon link for C to A and A to C adapters.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+c+adapter+to+usb

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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CAS

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CAS wrote:

simple device that will allow me to insert an external adapter in to either one of the several USB 2 ports

No adapter will convert motherboard USB 2.0 to 3.0.
You can insert USB 3 device to USB 2 port.

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CAS

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To clarify the whole USB version thing.

USB ports are color coded to indicate what type they are as follows:

The speeds for each USB type are as follows:

And the different USB ports are as follows:

Now a few things to consider.

The newer USB types are backward compatible with the older USB types.

A USB 3 device will work if plugged into a USB 1 port and vise versa.

USB devices will only run as fast as the slowest connection in the chain.

A USB 3 device plugged into a USB 1 port will only run at USB 1 speed.

A USB 1 device plugged into a USB 3 port will only run at USB 1 speed.

USB ports are not interchangeable!

A USB A device can only be plugged into a USB A port, a USB B device can only be plugged into a USB B port, a USB C device can only be plugged into a USB C port, etc, etc.

So, @CAS, the real question is exactly what are you trying to do?

If you’re trying to get USB 3 speeds from your existing USB 2 ports, that’s impossible! They’ll never run faster than the USB 2 speed shown above.

If you’re trying to plug a USB C device into one of your USB A ports, you need a USB A male to USB C female adapter like this one available on Amazon.

If you’re trying to do something else, please be more specific?

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Cybertooth, CAS, IT Manager Geek, Myst, WCHS, satrow, SueW

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Hi, just an FYI (and I’m pulling from a memory several years old) regarding the USB Port Colors chart, not all manufacturers followed that scheme.  From what I remember it was a new Dell server (say 2017), showing blue USB A connectors and setting up my portable USB backup solution to find out that the backups were taking days not hours.  Discovered that they installed USB 1 or 2 (either way, not 3) and had to purchase a separate card to get the USB 3, that was available by default on their older servers (had 2 of them at the time).   Still shaking my head on that one.

Take care,

Oh and thanks to n0adds for the overview, it’s one of those things that us IT folks need to be constantly reminded of.

IT Manager Geek

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CAS, satrow

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Thank you for all of your replies. I apologize for duplicate posts as I honestly didn’t believe that the first one ever went through. That’s the reason I never saw the responses. I am grateful for all of the replies that I received to both posts. In the final analysis I’ll have to return the item (tp-link Mini Wireless USB Adapter) to Amazon.

You are all so helpful and I am so embarrassed for not having the sense to check out if the first post was ever received. In the future I will be more vigilant.

 

Peace, CAS

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Your reply was very helpful and educational. Thank you

Peace, CAS

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CAS wrote:

When I checked my device manager I found several root hubs, one of which is (USB 3). I also found an Intel (R) USB 3 eXtendible Host Controller- 1.0 (Microsoft).

I found TP-Link TL-WN823N N300 Mini USB Wireless WiFi network Adapter on Amazon.  IF that is the one you have, it has a USB-A connector.  Your Device Manager says your motherboard supports USB 3.

That means that at least one of the ports on your PC looks like the one highlighted in red:

That’s the port where you plug in the adapter if it has a USB-A connector.  If it has a USB-C connector, there is an adapter for that, too.  They are shown in responses to your previous thread.

 

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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PL1, CAS

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also here earlier:
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/usb-3-port/#post-2627389

If debian is good enough for NASA...

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CAS

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I  finally found  two (blue) USB 3 ports  after pulling out everything that was plugged into the many ports in the rear of my computer. I plugged the mini-wireless USB adapter that I recently purchased and it’s working properly to boost my wi-fi signal.

Thanks to all of you your patience and your guidance. I would be lost without your help.

 

Peace, CAS

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Bob99, bbearren, satrow, PL1

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@CAS –

It’s GREAT to hear that your device is working just as intended, now that you found the correct port for it.

Since it sounds like your problem has been solved, can you please post a reply and change the status of this topic to “RESOLVED” by using the drop-down box just above the reply text input area? There’s bold lettering just above the drop-down box that says “If your question has been resolved, click here…”

Thanks!

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SueW, satrow

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