any kind computer whizzes here?

[historian]

I have xp with service pack 1 2 and 3. Apparently xp was not designed for usb2 since at that time the usb's being offered were of low quality. However, according to microsoft, the ability to install and run usb2 is now possible. Problem is i dont know if usb2 is an actual card or a software patch. I will be eternally grateful to anyone who can help

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. Try asking here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

[darkstar3]

2. You need a card

USB2.0 is a hardware feature, that also has to be supported in software. Most XP computers came with USB1.1 hardware, but one of the service packs (can't remember which one) added the software support for 2.0. Now you just need the hardware.

This one should work just fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815123010

[Call Me Wesley]

3. USB 2.0 should work fine

starting with service pack 1.

Not sure if I get your problem really; do you have an USB 2.0 port that doesn't work?

[Fumesucker]

4. USB 2.0 has been out for some time now..

Your computer must be fairly old if it doesn't already have USB 2.0 hardware..

[historian]

6. not really

but for a computer i suppose it is - i've had it 3 years now.

[Fumesucker]

7. I've had USB 2.0 devices for longer than three years..

Edited to put this in:

http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

2. How do I know if my PC has USB 2.0?

You can identify whether your PC has Hi-Speed USB or not relatively easy. Open Device Manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus section. There should be an "Enhanced" USB host controller present.

[historian]

13. thanks

no usb 2!

[Warren Stupidity]

11. Original spec release was April 27, 2000.

Computers started showing up with 2.0 compatible hardware within a few years of that (2002-2004.)

[Dead_Parrot]

5. XP is fine with USB2...

...the problem might be with your hardware, since USB2 does need diferent gubbins under the hood: However, any USB2 devices should still work at the slower USB1 speed.

Put a thread up in the Computer Help and Support Group with the details of what's happening, not happening, and if possible your PC details, and we'll see what we can sort out.

[blogslut]

8. My laptop is USB 1

And I've yet to have a problem using USB 2 devices on it. I just get a nag screen telling me the hardware can work faster if I had a USB 2 port. I'm pretty sure most USB 2 devices are backwards compatible wit USB 1.

[Call Me Wesley]

9. Check your devide manager for USB 2.0 support:

http://www.usbman.com/Guides/checking_for_usb_2.htm

If you see any USB device with the word 'Enhanced,' you already have it. No extra card necessary.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. USB2 hardware support has been around for quite a while

so if your computer is old, it might not have it. If your computer doesn't have hardware support for usb2, then os support is not relevant. Most usb devices have build in backwards compatibility for usb1, so they will just work (slowly, but work.) XP with SP3 certainly supports USB2.

Open up Device Manager and look under Universal Serial Bus controllers. (Right click on My Computer, select Properties, then select the Hardware tab, then push the Device Manager button.) If you see a USB 2.0 controller listed, then your hardware and the OS support USB 2.0. Otherwise, if you think you need a USB 2.0 compatible system you either need an add-on USB controller (they are cheap) or a new computer (they are pretty cheap too, but not as cheap as a new USB controller card.)

[billh58]

12. I have been using

Win XP Pro with USB2 for years with absolutely no problems. All you need is a USB2 controller, and the correct drivers. See this article from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/jones_02august05.mspx