This information is for general information of members with notebook 
computers.

I have been fighting a hardware problem with poor USB ports on a Compaq 
notebook. After a few months of sporadic operation, the ports have 
finally died and I was preparing for an expensive shop repair. In 
researching ways in which I could possibly get a converter from USB to 
Firewire, I ran across USB 2.0 PCMCIA cards with two USB ports and a 
separate power supply for when added power is needed. After reading some 
of the professional as well as user reviews, I've decided that I'd 
rather spend $20 to $40 on a USB notebook card rather than much more on 
a repair. These cards also come as a combo with firewire included for a 
few dollars more. They also come with 4 USB ports.

Sending this information just in case anyone else runs into a similar 
problem.


Tom Mayer

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