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how do I understand if a device uses USB 1.1 or 2.0?

Fact 1: my PC has Vista and USB 2.0.
Fact 2: max cable lenght for USB 1.1 is 3m while max cable lenght for USB 2.0 is 5m (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb).

I want to buy the longest USB cable for a USB device and therefore I need to know if my devices use USB 1.1 or 2.0. Is there a software tool that detects if it uses 1.1 or 2.0?

defkamel

easiest way would be to google the device name and find the product documentation and see if it say usb 2.0 if it doesn't specify 2.0 then it is probably not.

lucavilla

ASKER

defkamel: easy but not 100% trustworthy.

Any alternative?

LeeTutor

To determine whether you're using USB 1.x or 2.0, check this webpage:

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

This page has some more info on the differences:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000602.htm
How do I determine what version of USB I'm using?

lucavilla

ASKER

LeeTutor, those pages don't help because they only explain how to identify if PC has USB 2.0 hardware.

I need to know if my device is using 2.0 or 1.1.

nobus

i think defkamel gave you the answer.
i don't see why the documentation is not trustworthy

lucavilla

ASKER

nobus, because it doesn't specify it. Try for example for "Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0". Can you exclude that is 2.0?

lucavilla

ASKER

Ok, let's say that I find "Requirements: USB 1.1".
How do I understand if, in case it finds 2.0 hw, it uses 1.1 or 2.0?

nobus

ok - i see what you mean
if it says 1.1 is required, it means that you must at least have that, and if it is usb2 capable ; it will use that
for your cable, you can use an active cable , to get farther : http://www.maplin.co.uk/searchtemplate.asp?criteria=USB%20EXTENSION%20CABLE%2010M

or an optical one : http://industrialcomponent.com/opticis/opm210010.html

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lucavilla

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nobus

maybe this helps : http://safelyremove.com/?pid=1

lucavilla

ASKER

nobus, interesting program but I read this guide page http://safelyremove.com/fullFeaturesList.htm?main_p and there's no screenshot nor text that make me think that it tells what version of USB the device uses

nobus

i have asked the author if it does list if the device is usb1 or 2

lucavilla

ASKER

Thanks nobus. Please update me if it answers positively..

SOLUTION

nobus

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lucavilla

ASKER

Wow, thanks nobus for the good news!

I propose to close this question splitting the points to my "no solution" and your last message, for future reference.

lucavilla

ASKER

I will wait for the update of the "USB Safely Remove" program and will see if it has the feature

nobus

i'll leave this q in my inbox, and when i receive an update from the maker - i'll post here

nobus

todays answer : We will consider this feature to add in new versions. Probably not into the quick menu but into a hint for a device or into a Technical Information tab of device properties.

lucavilla

ASKER

Thanks nobus. I hope that he will pass from "considering" to "doing" :)