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Do USB 2.0 &
USB 1.1 hardware work interchangeably?
You
may have heard that USB 2.0 is "backward-compatible" with
USB 1.0/1.1 (Full-Speed USB). While that's true, USB 1.1 is also
forward-compatible with USB 2.0. Whenever a system has USB 2.0 ports,
you'll find the "Enhanced" USB controller in Device Manager,
but you will also find two other USB controllers. These two maintain
backward compatibility to USB 1.1 devices. Each USB 2.0 host actually
has 3 chips onboard. The USB controller routes signals to the correct
controller chip depending on how a device is recognized. Where a
device is physically plugged in has no bearing on how it is routed.
All ports on a USB 2.0 motherboard can host any USB devices at all
as long as the system and devices are healthy.
The vast majority of SYBA's
USB 2.0 Host Controllers will work with older PCs and Macs.
None should flat-out fail unless there are other issues with the
system. Hi-Speed USB devices will revert to Full-Speed operation
when connected this way. Understand that Hi-Speed is at least ten
times faster than Full-Speed in actual operation, so the speed difference
is quite noticeable - unless you have never experienced Hi-Speed,
of course.
When it comes to USB hub compatibility between USB 2.0 and USB 1.1,
here are some facts:
- A
powered hub is always preferable to un-powered. Our USB2.0
Hubs are self powered.
- USB hub
ports are not as capable or flexible as real C ports so it;s best
not to expect the world of them.
- USB
1.1 (obsolete) hubs will work fine on USB 2.0 ports, but they
cannot utilize USB 2.0 capabilities. They will default to slower
speeds.
- Hi-Speed
and Full/Low-Speed USB devices can coexist nicely on USB
2.0 hubs. Connecting such a hub to a USB 2.0 port is recommended.
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USB
2.0 hubs can be used on older USB 1.1 computers.
- Although
it is said that you can "cascade" up to 4 hubs, problems
may start to arise after two hubs, it's best to minimize hub usage
if possible.
- Many
USB devices don't work well on hubs. Cameras, scanners and especially
USB drivers ae known to have problems with hub connectivity.
- Remember
that "active USB extensions" are really just one-port
hubs.
As
you can see, there are very few issues (if any) to be concerned
about when mixing USB types. If the system and devices are healthy,
it should be a "no-brainer" to connect any USB device
- provided that you follow manufacturer’s instructions.
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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).
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How to troubleshoot
"unknown device" error listed in Device Manager?
Here
are some reasons why such error occurs:
- The
USB device or the USB adapter requires its own power source. If
your USB device or adapter came with an AC power adaptor, try
connecting it.
- The
front USB ports on your PC case may be misconnected. It's a good
idea to check the connections against specifications. The standard
order of connection is Red, White, Green, and Black. No more than
4 wires per USB bank are needed.
- Defective
device. Do not assume that all PC components work correctly out
of the box. If you can, try the device on another PC.
- All
drivers are not installed. Some devices will require installing
the driver package before plugging in the device. Some devices
will also require basic USB files from the Windows CD before the
unit will function. The general rule is to always follow installation
directions precisely and to have the Windows CD ready.
How
to address an "unknown device" problem which is caused
by a driver deficiency?
- Try
to update the unknown device driver from within Device Manager.
First try letting Windows search for one. If that fails, go back
and choose "Select from a list" and then "Have
disk". Browse to the device CD and look for the appropriate
Windows folder there. Try browsing to the Windows CD (Win9x folder
or i386 folder). Lastly, try updated drivers from the
SYBA's web site.
- Try
uninstalling the unknown device, unplugging the device and rebooting.
Re-plug when back in Windows.
- Be
certain that you have the correct drivers.
- Cleaning
up in Safe Mode may be necessary. Unplug all USB devices. Reboot
the PC. To enter Safe Mode, press the F8 key repeatedly while
restarting the PC. Timing is important. Try to press quickly before
the Windows logo screen appears. Pressing and holding the CTRL
key may work too. Choose Safe Mode and open Device Manager. In
Windows 2000 and XP, click View > Show hidden devices. Now
locate all USB devices, HID (Human Interface Devices), USB drives
and controllers/hubs. Remove all and save the USB Host Controllers
for last. When done, restart and re-plug USB devices one at a
time.
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How fast is
USB 2.0?
USB
2.0 has a raw data rate at 480Mbps, and it is rated 40 times faster
than its predecessor interface, USB 1.1, which tops at 12Mbps. Originally,
USB 2.0 was intended to go only as fast as 240Mbps, but then, USB
2.0 Promoter Group increased the speed to 480Mbps in October 1999.
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Which operating
systems support USB 2.0?
Microsoft
has released the
official USB 2.0 driver for Windows XP and Windows 2000. The
version is 5.1.2600. The software is available on-line at Windows
Update website. (If you don't have a USB 2.0 card installed in your
system, Windows Update won't list the USB 2.0 driver as an update.)
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Do USB 1.1 cables
work with USB 2.0 devices
Ideally,
yes. USB 2.0 architecture uses the same cables and connectors as
USB 1.1 compliant products. Unfortunately, only 3 out of 11 cables
on the market are certified as USB 1.1 compliant. You may run into
the cables that cause problems connecting high-speed peripherals.
To avoid negative user experience, SYBA have included USB 2.0 compliant
cables on select USB 2 PCI cards and other connectivity products.
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What is the
maximum length of a USB 2.0 cable?
5M.,
however, if you cascade 5 hubs with 5M USB cables, this will allow
you to connect a device 30M away.
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What are USB
Hi-Speed and USB Basic Speed logos?
These
logos are part of USB Promoter Group’s branding program that ensures
the quality of USB products. The USB 2.0 certified products would
display a blue, white and red logo, bearing the words “Certified
and Hi-Speed”. The classic USB 1.1 certified products would display
a black and white logo with the words “USB” and “Certified.”
All SYBA USB connectivity products have passed rigorous tests to
allow the display of all USB certified logos on our packaging.
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What is USB
2.0?
Finalized
in 2001, USB 2.0 is a complete overhaul to the Universal Serial
Bus input/output bus protocol which allows much higher speeds than
the older USB 1.1 standard did.
USB 1.1 allowed a maximum transfer rate of 12Mbits/second. That
rate is now called 'USB.'
Be aware that Full Speed USB is only 12Mbits/second where Hi-Speed
USB mode is capable of a much faster 480Mbits/second.
As an aside, USB mice and keyboards need only 1.5Mbits/s to function.
That performance level is also named 'USB' by the USB Promoter Group.
To sum it up, USB 2.0 specification incorporates three speeds: Hi-Speed,
Full-Speed and Low-Speed.
What
happens if a USB 2.0 device is plugged into a USB 1.1 system?
The
entire bus under the USB 1.1 root hub will slow to 12Mbps. The operating
system will probably notify the user about the sub-optimal configuration
and recommend for a better course of action.
If several USB 1.1 hubs are connected to a USB 2.0 bus, then each
of the USB 1.1 hub will get a full 12Mbps bandwidth.
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What do I need
to use a USB 2.0 device?
The
requirement is similar to that of USB 1.1, but all components will
have to be USB 2.0 compliant. A successful USB 2.0 connection requires
a USB 2.0 host controller card, a USB 2.0 driver and a USB 2.0 peripheral.
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Will USB 1.1
devices run any faster on a USB 2.0 bus?
No.
However, the new USB 2.0 architecture allows more high-speed USB
1.1 devices, such as web cams, audio devices, to share the bandwidth.
SYBA follows USB 2.0 spec in order to design higher speed peripherals
that can take advantage of the extra bandwidth. USB 1.1 devices
still operate at 12Mbps at full-speed and 1.5Mbps at low-speed on
a USB 2.0 bus. Even though USB 1.1 devices won’t run any faster,
they can work alongside of USB 2.0 devices on the same bus.
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How do I distinguish
between a USB 2.0 and a USB 1.1 device?
New
logos designed by the USB Promoter Group allow consumers to easily
identify the new USB 2.0 products. The new colorful logo for USB
2.0 is labeled USB Hi-Speed, and the new logo for USB 1.1 is labeled
with USB Basic Speed.
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