Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Older computers may have only the slower USB 1.1 interface. Adding USB 2.0 isn't difficult, but it does require a hardware addition.
My computer apparently has only USB 1.1. Is there a download or something to upgrade to 2.0? What do I need? Will I hurt anything if I plug in a USB 2.0 device to my USB 1.1 socket?
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Unfortunately, upgrading from USB 1.1 to 2.0 requires more than software; it actually requires new hardware.
The good news is that the hardware is typically inexpensive. In addition, depending on the 2.0 device, it's possible, though not guaranteed, that it'll work just fine with your 1.1 interface.
But it certainly won't hurt anything to try.
Let me explain...
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The biggest visible difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0 is that 2.0 is faster.
The biggest invisible difference is that a USB 2.0 interface requires different hardware - hardware that is capable of the higher speeds that USB 2.0 supports.
So, to "upgrade" from 1.1 to 2.0 typically isn't a software upgrade at all; it's an addition of hardware. For desktop machines you can purchase a relatively inexpensive USB 2.0 interface that you add to your machine. For your laptop you'll probably purchase a PCMCIA card that adds a USB 2.0 interface.
In either case, if the machine already had a 1.1 interface, that's still there, and still runs at 1.1 speeds. The old interface is still perfect for devices that don't require the speed supported by 2.0. The new interface then can support the higher-speed devices.
Now, a 2.0-capable USB device doesn't necessarily require USB 2.0. A great example is the Maxtor external USB drives I use for backup. If I plug them into a computer with only a USB 1.1 interface, they work just fine. They're slower, much slower in fact, but they do work well.
In most cases, in that situation, about the worst that will happen, besides the slower performance, is that Windows may pop-up a message indicating that "this device could perform better if plugged into a USB 2.0 interface". Which is quite true, and otherwise benign.
That's not true for all USB 2.0 devices. Some specifically require a USB 2.0 interface because they require the faster data rates. But again, plugging them into a 1.1 interface won't damage anything. The software supporting a device that requires 2.0 should simply report that the device won't work or that some features may be disabled. At worst, the device won't work or some features may be disabled - without any warning.
A final note on USB cables: Cables are not devices and aren't "recognized" by USB interfaces or devices. Plug just a USB cable into a computer's USB interface and nothing will happen until you plug a USB device at the other end of the cable.
USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables are essentially identical. The difference is simply that the USB 2.0 cables are of a higher quality required to support the higher data rates possible with 2.0. You can safely use a 2.0 cable for any USB application. You can probably use a cable marked as 1.1 for many 2.0 devices. I certainly have, but if you experience problems, replacing it with a cable rated for USB 2.0 would be one of my first steps.
Article C2869 - December 12, 2006 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
November 29, 2011 11:14 PM
I have a hp pavilion dv 4 series laptop. The problem is that it has only 2 usb port. So i bought a multiple usb port device.When i am using it, i keep getting a message that ur device can work faster if it is put into a usb 2.0 port. From the device manager i figured out that my laptop has a usb 2.0 port( coz i saw enhanced on that). But i don't know how to activate that 2.0 port for my device. Please help.
January 12, 2012 7:43 PM
Hello Sir Good morning, i had a issue is like, 3 days before i purchased Lenovo Slim USB DVD Burner. but its not working. so i search in ur article checked in my system. its sure its USB 1.1 only later i upgraded to 2.0 with the card. Now its working Fine ...... Thank U very very very much. I love U.
November 7, 2012 9:01 AM
I have an old EPoX EP-8K9A7I motherboard. The manufacturer says it supports USB2.0 but when I plug a USB2.0 device it tells me the "this device can perform faster..." thing, and gives me a list of USB2.0 ports that i can connect to. All great, but those ports don't exists physically. All the USB ports that I have are on-board. Is it anything I can do about or I need a hardware upgrade (it will be a little difficult, as I have all my PCI slots taken-one is broken).
November 9, 2012 3:49 AM
How about upgrading from usb 2.0 to usb 3.0. are the principles still the same? The cable for an external usb 3.0 harddisc is so much thicker than for usb 1 and usb 2.0. is it possible to put hardware for usb 3.0 into a PC or in this case a satellite receiver with an usb 2.0 plug?
November 9, 2012 9:25 AM
@Ole
If you have a desktop PC you can get a USB 3.0 expansion card. If you have a notebook, there would be no way to do this as the PCMCIA option is not a viable option for upgrading to USB 3.0.