VOGONS


First post, by Luca91

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Hi all,
so I've resurected my first computer (from early 1997, 133MHz CPU + 64MB of RAM).
I would like to know if is possible to buy a PCI usb card in order to use usb flash drives to copy stuff from/to the computer.

For example, will this one work in FreeDOS? https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00O0TV2YA/ref=asc_d … hvnetw=g&hvqmt=

And if yes, what driver should I use? would be also possible to use other usb hardwares (like mouse/keyboard etc)?

Forgive me for these questions, I am a DOS newbie. Thanks a lot.

EDIT: I've found a driver called DOSUSB but it is very expensive (65€), and it works with usb 3.0 too (95€ version). Well I hope that there are cheaper options...

Reply 1 of 5, by gdjacobs

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There's a host of options for DOS USB drivers, but most of them are lacking in some way or another. I'd recommend using a compatible network card alongside mTCP instead.

All hail the Great Capacitor Brand Finder

Reply 2 of 5, by Luca91

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gdjacobs wrote:

There's a host of options for DOS USB drivers, but most of them are lacking in some way or another. I'd recommend using a compatible network card alongside mTCP instead.

Hey, thank you for your reply!
I already have a network card with mTCP, but honestly I was hoping to get an USB card too. Can you please tell me if the one from the amazon link I posted, will work?

Thanks!

Reply 3 of 5, by derSammler

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Luca91 wrote:

Can you please tell me if the one from the amazon link I posted, will work?

Any USB 2.0 card must work, as they all have to follow the EHCI standard. For the software, they all look the same, no matter what chip they actually use (NEC, VIA, ALi, OPTi, etc.).

Reply 4 of 5, by gdjacobs

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Unfortunately, the USB driver situation is quite dodgy. I found it too problematic to be worth it.

All hail the Great Capacitor Brand Finder

Reply 5 of 5, by xjas

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I've had pretty good luck using USBASPI.SYS+DI1000DD.SYS with Intel chipsets (usually the built-in USB on i430/440 boards.) It's pretty limited but for copying files from a flash drive at USB1.1 speeds it works fine.

VIA chipsets, not so much. It works but tends to drop out during long or batch copies. I've only tried it on KT133/KT266 motheboards with onboard USB though. Standalone cards might be a completely different experience, or they might not, YMMV. If you're adding in a PCI card, I'd suggest finding an Intel-based one if you can.

Note that the picture of the card you linked to shows an NEC chip but the description says it's a VIA chip. Make sure you know what you're getting!

I don't have any experience with the other drivers that are around.

Edit: also just noticed that the card you linked is being sold by a schlock outfit called C$L-computer. I bought ONE cable from them for $3 on Ebay in 2011 and they've spammed me almost daily every day since, with absolutely NO way to get off their stupid mail list that I can find. Would not recommend.

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