SYBA PCI USB 2.0 & FireWire/1394a combo card Model SD-COMBO-02

Pros: Works. The one I got is the VIA chip, not the ALI. Saves a slot versus separate USB and Firewire cards.

Cons: Manual is utterly useless. Port sharing information is CRUCIAL. Not specifying this is dumb.

Overall Review: There's a lot of confusion regarding the ports on this card, so for your benefit I followed the circuit traces and mapped out which is what. For the record, there's the real story on the ports: There are a total of four independent USB connections and three independent firewire connections. The internal firewire port (label PORT1) is shared with the top outer firewire port (label PORT2). You CANNOT use both ports at the same time. The third firewire port (label PORT3) is independent. The two external USB ports (label UJ1 and UJ2) are independent. The internal USB port (UJ3) is shared with the *bottom* set of USB headers. You CANNOT use these two USB connections at the same time. The top set of USB headers is independent. Someone earlier mentioned that the ALI chip doesn't support the full USB speed and unstable. I had the same problem with an ALI USB card but a motherboard chipset driver update and new drivers from Nvidia (they own ALI/ULI) fixed the problem.

Pros: Has header connection for front-panel USB ports

Cons: Despite having both notches in the plug, the card is incompatible with 3.3V PCI slots - if you've got 5V slots, it's a great card... but there's NO reason for the card to be notched as a universal if it's really not.

Overall Review: For the geekspeak-impaired : the card has two notches in the array of pins where it fits into the board. This should mean that it's a universal card, able to work with either 3.3V or 5V, but it's not. If the slots on your board are separated with the longer length next to the edge of the board, you've got a 5V slot and this card works. If the shorter section is at the edge, you've got a 3.3V slot and this card will not function.

Pros: Quality assembly with Via chipset, easy to install, instantly recognized by XP so no loading of drivers necessary, true plug & play. Internal USB header a nice bonus. Good price along with the always fast shipping by Newegg.

Cons: USB header has 10 pins, requiring some re-engineering.

Overall Review: Had none of the installation problems mentioned by some. Card popped right in and fit snugly to the case. Attached the 4 pin USB internal connection to a 4 port front USB hub that works flawlessly.

Pros: Its cheap and may be worth it to add life to an older machine. It works if you spend a lot of time getting it to work

Cons: It is cheap!!!! Bad instructions Driver CD useless (go to the Syba website) Tech Support useless (email only) Using internal ports disables 1 external ports of the same type Good luck getting the panel pins to work

Overall Review: You get what you pay for I guess. Apparently, to hit the price point means you get useless instructions, a CD which contains drivers for other cards other than yours and email only tech support if you have a problem!! To others who may still choose to purchase this card, if you get a "Plug & Play Configuration Error" during your POST startup, turn off your computer and try a different slot. For whatever reason, this card works in only one slot on my computer -- the first one!!! I have cards in other slots and had to play musical slots until I figure this out -- such a PITA -- last time I purchase a Syba product.

Pros: Well built. Internal sockets for USB and 1394. Header on card for USB. Driver mini disk included in case you need it. Shouldn't need it under XP or 2000.

Cons: USB header on card seems to only emulate legacy USB speeds, not 2.0.

Overall Review: Maybe there are some issues with the VIA chipset on this card in regard to the card header only supporting legacy USB speeds. New Egg was a day early on delivery and shipping costs for my entire order was very reasonable. I appreciate New Egg for this and they shall continue to get my parts business.

Pros: I have been using this PCI card, along with a "Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5" Card Reader", in a Dell Optiplex 960, running Vista Businss 64-bit, for a month now, with no problems. It was automatically detected by the OS and did not require any non-standard or additional drivers, and has no problems reading or writing to any USB devices (have not tried the firewire ports)

Cons: N/A

Overall Review: N/A

Pros: Card had the correct headers, unlike another import card I tried.

Cons: none

Overall Review: Newegg got it here quickly when I needed to get a build done.

Pros: I plugged this card into the pci slot easily. It has pins for front bezel usb port, which very convenient. It was recognized by Windows XP and driver automatically installed.

Cons: No Negatives at this time!!!

Overall Review: Great product!!! I would recommend to any windows users. It is backward compatible with 1.1 USB technology.