Windows XP forum: Can I convert the monitor to USB?

Most monitors plug into the video card. I doubt you can do without that. I've never heard of a USB device for a monitor. One option might be an external modem.

Have you got an AGP port, if so, consider getting an AGP card, that'll free up one of your PCI slots, it might also be worth looking to see if you can get a combined modem and USB card, that'll free up another slot.

It's not worth the hassle trying to convert your monitor to USB, there are just too many data feeds in that cable - have a look at the connector, you'll see what I mean.

Alternatively, try getting a bigger motherboard for your machine, preferably with an AGP slot on it, the newer cards need one.

A monitor is not going to function out of a USB port. That is not what USB is designed for.

What you might do is see if your motherboard has an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) port. All newer motherboards, since the Pentium II, have AGP slots, which is designed for much higher data rates (for video) than possible with PCI. And AGP is now MUCH faster than when it was initially designed (you will see 2x, 4x and even 8x AGP and video cards).

If you have an AGP slot, then get an AGP-type board for your video. That frees up one PCI. AGP video cards can be pretty cheap, as long as you don't demand the "latest and greatest and fastest." Since you have been getting by with a PCI video card, I don't think you will demand the fastest AGP anyway. My guess is: that any speed AGP video card is going to be faster than any PCI video card anyway.

Do you really need a modem? Some motherboards (usually the cheaper, "everyting included" boards, have another special port, called a CNR (Communications Network Riser) slot. A CNR card will plug into that CNR slot (they are usually cheap and small) can be found to either replace your modem or network interface PCI card, maybe both(?). I am not a fan of CNR, but it is a possibility.

Or you could even find modems that plug into the USB port. Which is a way to go, too.