usb

[realaleman]

How do I find out if my desktop PC has usb 1 or usb 2? I'm sure I used to have a program that told me, but I can't find it anymore. The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of buying a Buffalo Drivestation usb hard drive and its spec says it is usb 2. I don't want to spend 50 quid on something I can't use. (hell, thats 3 weeks beer vouchers!)
Thanks in advance.

[terambulan]

Look at the USB you're buying to see if they're compatible with desktop USB.......Take a photo of desktop USBs to retailer to check.

[ChuckFickens]

Right-click on My Computer, select Properties, and go to the Hardware tab. Click on Device Manager in the top window, then click the plus sign at the bottom where it says Universal Serial Bus controllers and it will probably say either USB 2 controller or if you can see enhanced anywhere then it's also USB 2

however, if you haven't got usb2 the drive will will work in USB1, it will just be a lot slower.

also you can get USB2 cards for next to nothing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=f latten%3D1%26search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords =pci+usb+2&x=0&y=0

[ChuckFickens]

terambulan,

USB 1 and USB 2 ports look identical

[Jugglering]

Go to Start (bottom left of your monitor), click on Control Panel, then Device Manager. If you have "Standard Enhanced .... " under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers, then you have USB2... if not, then you still have USB1.

[realaleman]

Thanks ChuckFickens, you've come up trumps as usual. The first line reads Standard enhanced PCI to usb controller, the next 2 lines say Standard OpenHCD usb host controller. so do you think I have usb2?
Thanks again

[realaleman]

Thanks again to ChuckFickens, I've just fitted a PCI card that gives me 2 extra usb at the back and 3 on the front panel. Absolutely brilliant!