USB 2.0 questions

Yzzim

Lifer
Feb 13, 2000
11,990
1
76
I've got an external usb2.0 40gig hard drive hooked up to a USB 2.0 pci card. I'm not sure whether the cable is a usb 1.1 cable or a usb 2.0 cable, does that matter?

I just transfered 52mb of mp3s from my primary hdd to the usb 2.0 drive and it took almost exactly 3 minutes for the transfer to complete. What speeds would that be? USB 1.1 or 2.0?

Is there anyway to tell if the usb cable is 1.1 or 2.0?
 

Epsil0n00

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2001
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0
76
I could be completely off base here... but I think that USB cables are standard, ie. there is no diff. between USB1 and USB2 in terms of the cable aspect.
Confirmation?
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
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I heard the opinion stated recently that not many USB cables actually are constructed to meet USB standards in the first place, so you may have to pay USB 2.0 prices just to get a properly-made cable.
 

Oric

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
965
101
106
I have a USB 1.1 multiplexer (1 port in 4 ports out). WOuld it work the same way if I connect USB 2.0 devices and cables (Not that I need to have more then 6 USB 2.0 ports on board but it helps to decrease the cable length and mass under the table)
 

buleyb

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2002
1,301
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Originally posted by: Oric
I have a USB 1.1 multiplexer (1 port in 4 ports out). WOuld it work the same way if I connect USB 2.0 devices and cables (Not that I need to have more then 6 USB 2.0 ports on board but it helps to decrease the cable length and mass under the table)

No, according to the spec, 1.1 hubs or repeaters (or multiport repeaters) are not capable of 2.0 xfers...


And 1.1 cables are not spec'ed to handle 2.0 xfers. USB2.0 requires USB2.0 the whole way.... (just like ethernet, say 100Mbps, requires equivilent or better to sustain 100Mbps across a connection, otherwise it drops to the slowest component)
 

buleyb

Golden Member
Aug 12, 2002
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Originally posted by: mechBgon
I heard the opinion stated recently that not many USB cables actually are constructed to meet USB standards in the first place, so you may have to pay USB 2.0 prices just to get a properly-made cable.

and yes, I heard this too, and I believe it for many cables I've used (many that just feel cheap). Buying a good belkin or equivilent level brand is recommended...