All Categories » Hardware » USB and 1394 Interfaces

Can I connect a pcmcia device to my USB port?
Connecting a PCMCIA device to a USB port certainly might be possible given what's available on the market today. (Continue reading...)

Can I use a USB 1.1 cable with a USB 2.0 device?
USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables aren't all that different, and can often be interchangeable. Here's what to look for. (Continue reading...)

How do I install my new USB device?
Some USB devices simply require you simply plug it in to use them, but reviewing documentation that came with the device before you do is important. (Continue reading...)

I found a USB thumbdrive, plugged it in and now my system won't work. What happened?
USB Thumbdrives or flash drives are a non-obvious but easy way to spread malware. You should be quite careful when dealing with an unknown device. (Continue reading...)

Is there a way to "Safely Remove Hardware" from a batch file?
Automating the steps required to "safely remove hardware" isn't at all obvious, but it is possible. (Continue reading...)

What does "the USB device can perform faster" mean?
USB comes in two versions that run at two different speeds. A faster device plugged into a slower interface works, but works more slowly than it could. (Continue reading...)

What's this 1394 network adapter on my machine?
If your computer has Firewire, you'll see a 1394 network adapter in your configuration. It can be used for networking, but I don't recommend it. (Continue reading...)

Why do I get "device ... cannot be stopped right now" trying to safely remove my USB drive?
Windows tries to prevent corruption by disallowing removal of USB devices that are "in use". Unfortunately it's not always obvious what "in use" means. (Continue reading...)

Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?
Windows XP supports USB keyboards, but before it boots there's a period where your USB keyboard may, or may not, work. (Continue reading...)