USB questions from a newbie

[ohblu]

I have a few questions.

1) I read that USB 2.0 was released in April 2000. So why would a (supposedly) high-end HP computer that was made in late 2001 only have USB 1.1 ports? It has four USB ports (two in the front and two in the back) and one or two firewire ports. I don't understand why the USB ports aren't 2.0. Not unless something has been disabled somewhere, is that a possibility?


2) I was under the impression that all USB 2.0 devices (like flash drives) were compatible with both USB 1.0 and 1.1. But according to some manufacturers they aren't. What's up with that?

[philby]

-{ Quote: "Not unless something has been disabled somewhere, is that a possibility?" }-

You could have a look at your Universal Serial Bus Controllers in device management and check they're all enabled and that the drivers are up to date.

Mine look like this:
208281

"Enhanced" is what you're looking for for USB 2.

This (http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_upgrade_to_usb_20.html) article might also help - you can add a USB 2 card...

philby

[ohblu]

It doesn't say Enhanced. I just can't figure out why that computer wouldn't have come with 2.0.

It hasn't been an issue until recently. I desperately need an external hard drive and a dvd-rw drive. Can you imagine trying to burn large files to DVD using USB 1.1? :o What a pain.

[Bill_Bright]

-{ Quote: "I just can't figure out why that computer wouldn't have come with 2.0. " }-The USB 2.0 specification was released in April 2000, but was not standardized by the USB-IF (Implementors Forum - of which HP was a founding member) until the end of 2001 - long after your computer left the design table.

The 2.0 devices should be compatible with previous versions - however some uses (I believe RAMBOOST is one) want 2.0.

FWIW, USB3.0 specification was released last November - let's hope it does not take until the end of 2009 to be standardized.

-{ Quote: "I desperately need an external hard drive and a dvd-rw drive." }-Then get one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000010073%201187112431&name=PCI%20to%20USB%20Card).