|
Home »
Hardware
»
USB and 1394 Interfaces
Summary: 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.
You weren't dreaming. Windows does occasionally notify you that "The USB device can perform faster if you connect it to a High Speed USB 2.0 port." When, why, and what to do about it vary depending on your system and the USB device you have in hand. • USB (Universal Serial Buss) currently has two versions: the older 1.1, 12 megabit per second standard (mbs), and the newer 2.0 capable of 480mbs, or 40 times faster than 1.1. Both USB devices, and the interfaces you might plug them into, are either version 1.1 or 2.0. One interesting aspect of USB is that it's totally valid to mix and match 1.1 and 2.0. The very common scenario is that a computer will have a USB 2.0 interface, capable of the higher speeds of 2.0, but will still support and work properly with 1.1 devices plugged in. The reverse is also true, and I think that's the scenario you're seeing. It works like this: "And that's exactly what Windows is telling you: you
have a 2.0 device plugged into a 1.1 interface."
And that's exactly what Windows is telling you: you have a 2.0 device plugged into a 1.1 interface. As a result it'll perform slower than it could. If you were able to plug it into a 2.0 interface then the device would be able to operate at full speed. The difference between 1.1 and 2.0 is a difference in hardware, so it's not something you can just install new software for. In addition, most machines are manufactured with all 1.1 or all 2.0 interfaces. Typically older machines have 1.1, and newer machines have 2.0. So it's also not just a matter of plugging into a different port on your machine, chances are they're all the same. If you have a machine with USB 1.1 interfaces the only real alternative, short of upgrading to a newer machine, is to purchase a USB 2.0 add-in card. The USB ports provided by that card will be the higher speed 2.0, while your older USB interfaces on your machine will remain 1.1. Related:
Article 12174 | Posted January 14, 2008 |
Popular & Hot How do I make a new MSN Hotmail account? How do I delete history items from my Google tool bar? My desktop Recycle Bin has disappeared - why, and how do I get it back? I accidentally deleted my Recycle Bin in Vista - how do I get it back? New & Important How can I get the old Windows Live Hotmail back? Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet? Are free email services worth it? Would you please recover my password? My account has been hacked or I've forgotten it.
Stay Informed Archives Advertisers |
|
•
Go to Control Panel --> System Properties --> Hardware --> Device Manager --> Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Under each controller right click on Properties and go to the Advanced Tab. Check the box that says Don't tell me about USB Errors. Save and close.
Posted by: John Krueger at January 16, 2008 6:35 AMSome usb's have updates that make them work more efficient.
Posted by: George Arauz at January 17, 2008 5:57 AMI get that message at least once a week. I have counted 6 rear and 2 front usb female plugs on my computer + 2 on my monitor and 1 on my scanner/printer. The only ones in use are on the rear of my computer. I have Intel 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller 24DD shown in Device Driver. Also see 4 Standard Universal PCI to USB Host Controller's shown. One USB Composite Device and 5 USB Root Hub listings. My computer is a Dell purchased Feb 2004. Do I have both 1 and 2? Can I tell which are USB2 by sight? Thanks
Posted by: Earl Meech at January 19, 2008 8:37 AMDidnt leo omit something here? That a USB 2.0 device will slow to 1.1 speed if there are any 1.1 devices using the same root hub? So if possible one should isolate one's 2.0 devices on one hub and the 1.1's (mice,keyboard etc) on the 1.1 hubs?
Posted by: B Gold at January 19, 2008 11:22 PMI've recently purchased a new printer, a lexmark, since that time I've be getting the statement that I should purchase a 2.0 usb high speed whatever. I did that. I'm still getting the message. Did I put the plug in the wrong ports? I'm not very "techy"....just want to do the correct thing and have my printer stop making noises even when it is not turned on. Could you explain for me???? Thank you in advance.
Posted by: diane sofiakis at March 6, 2008 12:03 PMI have a HP Pavillion running Vista. It has 4 USB 2.0 ports. I have a 4 port USB 2.0 hub. I have 2 printers an externalHDD and a Sandisk flash drive plugged into the hub. I still get this message and I've swapped all the devices into the avaoilable computer ports directly. What's the problem?
Posted by: Steve Hughes at March 19, 2008 9:00 AMI have USB 2.0 ports, and I am sure of it by looking at their description under Control Panel. But the transfer rate is not at the speed it's suppose to be. Can the cable used to connect the USB port and the device be a factor? Is there such a thing as 1.1 vs 2.0 cable?
Posted by: namsilat at April 28, 2008 12:00 PM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
No, there's not really such a things as a USB cable, though
of course cable quality in general can always play a role.
Typically when speeds aren't what I expect it's because the
device itself is at issue, or occasionally the USB
interface.
Leo
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32)
iD8DBQFIFpsSCMEe9B/8oqERAqQ5AJ4xKfpDOPfqCxgptA34pco3g3twRACfdNrp
Posted by: Leo at April 28, 2008 8:51 PM6zjmMey3uvoYjmZ5TLuU4kc=
=SN2r
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
I have high-speed USB ports and still get the message, and when i go to my device manager and click on the properties for USB, there IS no advanced tab, only general. I've looked ALL OVER THE INTERNET for a solution to stop this popup but whenever someone mentions the same problem as me, NO ONE REPLIES, do you have a solution?? Thanks!
Posted by: Tony at September 10, 2008 9:33 PMI have a Compaq C304NR with 2 USB 2.0 ports. Everything checks out in device manager, proper WinXPx32 chipset drivers are installed etc. I've tried several Hi speed usb 2 devices (HDD's) with different cables which the longest was 12 feet. The effective rate of data transfer gives the ~40MBps expected so the USB portion seems to be functioning properly. But every now and then the message will pop up. Just happened again today and the last time was about 8 months ago give or take. I've gone through maybe a little over a dozen or so fresh formats and reinstalls with first SP2 and now SP3. Linux of course never reports or encounters any errors and everything always works perfectly in every OS.
Therefore I'm lead to believe this is a M$ bug...
Posted by: Talldog9 at September 19, 2008 1:33 PM