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Computer help: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB
Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB
by gcbaltazar - 11/13/06 8:25 PMI am considering purchasing a USB 2.0 device to plug into my PC which has a USB port. Do I have to use a USB 2.0 cable to connect the device to my PC or can I use a USB cable which I already have?
"iffy"
by R. Proffitt
- 11/13/06 9:10 PM
In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB by gcbaltazar
While there are success stories of using older USB 1.x cables, it's not worth losing external drive data for the sake of saving some old cable. This is entirely your choice here. Is your data worth it?
Bob
PS. I find USB 2.0 cables under a few dollars on newegg.com and geeks.com so I've gifted all my old USB 1.x cables and don't have any left.
That got me thinking...
by gcbaltazar - 11/14/06 8:59 PM In reply to: "iffy" by R. Proffitt
Now I read somewhere that I can plug in a USB 2.0 device into a USB port, but could there possibly be a performance (or speed) slump that goes with it?
Also, I have a lot of cables; I only suspect they are USB cables as opposed to USB 2.0 because I have had them for approximately 4 years. I don't really know how old they are. How can I distinguish between a USB cable from a USB 2.0?
Your research.
by R. Proffitt - 11/15/06 4:06 AM
In reply to: That got me thinking... by gcbaltazar
http://www.google.com/search?q=How+can+I+distinguish+between+a+USB+cable+from+a+USB+2.0%3F&start=0&start=0
If it's not marked USB 2.0, it's likely to be the original. I paid 2 bucks for the replacement cables so it's very hard for me to spend any time on this. The risk of corrupting some USB hard disk is not worth saving 2 bucks. Maybe someone will disagree.
As to performance, yes. For instance you can't record a DVD on USB 1.1. A one hour copy on USB 2.0 balloons to about 40 hours on USB 1.1. Is it worth it to connect to the old style port? In my view no.
Bob
Backwards compatibility
by Hagrun - 11/16/06 11:46 AM In reply to: That got me thinking... by gcbaltazarSome USB 2.0 devices can be used in USB 1.1, but not all. The only way to know is to check the packaging of the device, ask someone who's done it with that specific device, try it yourself, or call the manufacturer. I suggest you buy a USB 2.0 card from Newegg.com and some USB 2.0 cables and be done with it. The parts are dirt cheap.
Good Luck
-Nate
It'll work, but...
by jackson dougless - 11/14/06 7:10 AM In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB by gcbaltazarIf you don't use a USB 2.0 cable, it'll be SLOW. Agonizingly slow. There are even a few devices that won't work with anything other than USB 2.0 cable. However, most of them COME with a USB 2.0 cable, so it shouldn't be an issue if you have USB 2.0 ports on your system. And since USB 2.0 is a hardware based upgrade, I wouldn't just assume you have it.
I can't remember the source
by Dutchmants - 11/17/06 3:36 PM In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB by gcbaltazarI think it was "Maximum PC" that did some lab test on cables from the cheapest old 1.1 to some USB 2.0 cables marketed by Monster Cable and found no major differences with how there performed. If my memory is correct they use an external storge device with their test.
I forgot to add
by Dutchmants - 11/17/06 3:38 PM In reply to: I can't remember the source by DutchmantsThe test were for a USB 2.0 device and controller. Things will be slow with a 2.0 device on a 1.1 controller.
Compatibility between USB 2.o and USB
by robsb - 11/17/06 4:54 PM In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB by gcbaltazarTo my knowledge, there is no difference between a USB 1 CABLE and a USB 2.0 cable except marketing hype. I have used both with no difference. However, if you computer port is USB 1.0 and not 2.0 your device will either not run at all or if you are lucky will run but at the slower USB 1.0 speed. The cable will make no difference as they are wired exactly the same. For example if you plug in a jump drive directly to the port (no cable) it will usually run but a message will come up telling you you are not getting the full speed of the device because you did not plug it in to a USB 2.0 compliant port. So the real issue is the Port version you already have, not the cable.
USB Cables? Why
by NeilSilva - 11/18/06 6:37 AM In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.o and USB by robsbI have dozens of USB cables, and never knew there was a difference between USB 1.1 cables and USB 2.0 cables. There are, however, external hubs that are version specific. If I plug a USB 1.1 hub into a USB 2.0 port, the device conneced at the other end will seek the least common denominator (1.1) and work at that speed--or not a all.
Identifying USB vs USB 2.0 ports in PC
by rossnpeggy - 11/17/06 5:41 PM In reply to: Compatibility between USB 2.0 & USB by gcbaltazarMy computer is just old enough (or should I say new enough?) to make me think it should have USB 2.0 ports, but how can I be sure. When I bring up the spec's on my computer I can't see where it says... Is there a way to tell? I sometimes have trouble getting things to work. When connecting my HP printer, I have to use the parallel port (BTW - the HP printer has both ways of connecting it), but my Compaq notebook runs the HP Printer from the USB 2.0 port just fine.
Thanks,
-Ross-
Finding USB version
by osoman6 - 11/17/06 7:56 PM In reply to: Identifying USB vs USB 2.0 ports in PC by rossnpeggyGo to Device Manager (Right click My Computer, click Properties, click Hardware) Click Device Manager. Go to the USB devices and expand it. If there is anything that say Enhanced Host Controller, you have USB 2.0.
Identifying USB2 port
by nancybonnett - 11/17/06 11:11 PM In reply to: Finding USB version by osoman6I have a Dell desktop running XP Home Edition. According to my Device Manager I have 5 USB ports, but only one is USB2. How do I determine which one is the USB2?
USB 2.0
by cbazza - 11/18/06 12:32 AM In reply to: Identifying USB2 port by nancybonnettI would also like the answer to how can I determine which port is the USB port.. Also what does "via Rev 5 or later USB Universal host controller" mean?
Identifying USB 2.0 ports
by OmegaGeek - 11/18/06 2:20 AM In reply to: USB 2.0 by cbazzaI have a SONY VAIO and the marketing material says it has two USB 2.0 ports. There are six USB ports total. I also want to know how to identify the 2.0 ports.
Would it kill these manufactures to put a label on the dang ports?
SigmaGeek
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