How to distinguish USB 1.1 from USB 2.0?

[hasu]

Is there a way we can distinguish USB 1.1 from USB 2.0 in Windows XP?

 

[Mem]

Read below.

How do I know if my PC has USB 2.0?
You can identify whether your PC has Hi-Speed or not relatively easy. Open Device Manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus section. There should be an ?Enhanced? USB host controller present.

Windows 98 systems may use a different name, because Hi-Speed USB drivers in these operating systems are not provided directly from Microsoft (Windows ME, 2000 and XP get their drivers through Windows Update).

Link.

 

[Peter]

Yes. The "high speed" part of USB 2.0 host controllers goes by EHCI programming model, while the normal speeds from USB 1.x are run on UHCI or OHCI controllers.

So if your Device Manager isn't listing an "Enhanced Host Controller" in the USB section, then you don't have USB 2.0. In the "Devices by Connection" view, you'll also see what peripherals run on what controllers.

 

[HKSturboKID]

This is what I am getting when I expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
Standard Enchanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

Does this mean I have USB 2.0?

 

[Peter]

That'll be Enhanced not Enchanced. There's your EHCI controller, clearly showing that you have the "High Speed" part of USB 2.0.

 

[hasu]

Ok. Here is the actual problem I am facing.

I am considering Chaintech "7NIL1-SUMMIT" for a mATX rig I am putting together for my friend. Its manual says it has "One EHCI USB 2.0 Controller and 2 UHCI USB 1.1 Controllers". What does that mean? Will it have all the 6 ports USB 2.0? Or will it have only two USB2.0 and remaining 1.1? I am confused!

 

[Peter]

The way it works is this:

Immediately when plugging a USB device in, the controller senses whether it's a Low, Full, or High Speed device. (High is faster than Full. Don't ask.)

Now, if a USB device is connecting to a USB 2.0 port, the device type is sensed. If it is a High Speed device, this particular port is handed over to the one EHCI controller in the system for High Speed USB 2.0 operation. Else, the port remains on the UHCI or OHCI controller that "owns" this port for Low or Full speed USB 1.1 operation.

 

[hasu]

Originally posted by: Peter
The way it works is this:

Immediately when plugging a USB device in, the controller senses whether it's a Low, Full, or High Speed device. (High is faster than Full. Don't ask.)

Now, if a USB device is connecting to a USB 2.0 port, the device type is sensed. If it is a High Speed device, this particular port is handed over to the one EHCI controller in the system for High Speed USB 2.0 operation. Else, the port remains on the UHCI or OHCI controller that "owns" this port for Low or Full speed USB 1.1 operation.

Oh! ok.

Does that mean that any of the available ports can be used for USB 2.0 operation?

Another question is -- from the description of 7NIL1-SUMMIT, how many USB 2.0 and how many USB 1.1 are going to be there in the system? (Motherboard comes with two ports on the back panel. Of course I will buy extra connectors for the available headers on the motherboard).

Edit: Since the mobo description says that it has got 3 controllers (one for USB 2.0 and two for USB 1.1), I would assume that, if I connect all the 6 ports then I can use two of them for USB2.0 devices and remaining 4 for USB1.1. Am I correct?

 

[Peter]

No, incorrect. Any one port can be hooked over to the EHCI for High Speed operation, and UHCI/OHCI controllers aren't restricted to two ports each.

 

[hasu]

ok, so do you mean that I can have all the 6 ports connected to 6 different USB2.0 devices simultaneously? If it is yes, that would be great too!!

 

[Peter]

Well yes, why not. Keep in mind that you won't get optimal performance from every single device, at least not when you're using them all at the same time.

 

[hasu]

hmm.. that should be fine. Thank you very much Peter, for taking time to clarify my questions. The motherboard manual was a bit confusing!