Targus
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I Am Confused Over The Connectivity And The Terminology Like The Cable, The Plugs, And The Ports To Be Used Between My Desktop Computer And A 3.0 USB External Hard Drive?
Issue: Hello. I am looking to buy a Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 3.0 USB 2 TB External Hard Drive. Here is the weblink for it: http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/external/external-hard-drive/desktop-hard-drive/
Now, this new external hard drive has the newer 3.0 USB technology associate with it. It is also backwards compatible with 2.0 USB technology as well. The issue arises that I am confused over the connectivity like the cable, the plugs and the ports that I will use between my desktop computer and this particular external hard drive. I have attached an image file below for you to see what I mean of the included cable that comes with this particular external hard drive.
I plan to connect this particular cable to my custom-made desktop tower ASUS P5Q motherboard computer. My custom-made computer/motherboard does not have any 3.0 USB ports on it currently. I am looking to get a 3.0 USB PCI-e card either with 2 or 4 3.0 USB ports to give my computer 3.0 USB capability in order to take advantage of the 3.0 USB technology.
Questions:
1. What is the *exact* or *detailed* name of this cable? Please describe it. I am confused in describing it. For example, use terminology for the plugs like: male/female, regular/mini/micro, type A/B, etc. Please describe both ends of the plugs in detail of this cable too.
2. What is the *exact* or *detailed* name of the ports that are needed for connectivity on BOTH (a) this particular external hard drive and (b) the desktop computer too?
3. At one end of the cable, the plug end appears to be traditional 2.0 USB at the rectangular plug end? Is it or not?
4. Furthermore, can I plug this end that appears to be 2.0 USB at the regular plug end into a 2.0 USB port on my computer or not?
5. When the time comes where I do buy a 3.0 USB PCI-e card with either 2 or 4 3.0 USB ports, can I use any of my hardware that has 2.0 USB with this 3.0 USB PCI-e card?
NOTE: FYI, I am using Windows 7 64-bit operating system.
Thanks!
Now, this new external hard drive has the newer 3.0 USB technology associate with it. It is also backwards compatible with 2.0 USB technology as well. The issue arises that I am confused over the connectivity like the cable, the plugs and the ports that I will use between my desktop computer and this particular external hard drive. I have attached an image file below for you to see what I mean of the included cable that comes with this particular external hard drive.
I plan to connect this particular cable to my custom-made desktop tower ASUS P5Q motherboard computer. My custom-made computer/motherboard does not have any 3.0 USB ports on it currently. I am looking to get a 3.0 USB PCI-e card either with 2 or 4 3.0 USB ports to give my computer 3.0 USB capability in order to take advantage of the 3.0 USB technology.
Questions:
1. What is the *exact* or *detailed* name of this cable? Please describe it. I am confused in describing it. For example, use terminology for the plugs like: male/female, regular/mini/micro, type A/B, etc. Please describe both ends of the plugs in detail of this cable too.
2. What is the *exact* or *detailed* name of the ports that are needed for connectivity on BOTH (a) this particular external hard drive and (b) the desktop computer too?
3. At one end of the cable, the plug end appears to be traditional 2.0 USB at the rectangular plug end? Is it or not?
4. Furthermore, can I plug this end that appears to be 2.0 USB at the regular plug end into a 2.0 USB port on my computer or not?
5. When the time comes where I do buy a 3.0 USB PCI-e card with either 2 or 4 3.0 USB ports, can I use any of my hardware that has 2.0 USB with this 3.0 USB PCI-e card?
NOTE: FYI, I am using Windows 7 64-bit operating system.
Thanks!
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ASKER
> jrwarren, Merete, or anyone:
Hi. Could someone please reply to my comment I posted a few days ago?
Thanks!
Hi. Could someone please reply to my comment I posted a few days ago?
Thanks!
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ASKER
> Merete:
Hello. Thank you for your latest comment and the details you provide. I must now apologize for my late reply back to you. I had other computer issues I have fixed.
Hello. Thank you for your latest comment and the details you provide. I must now apologize for my late reply back to you. I had other computer issues I have fixed.
ASKER
Thank you both!
Thankyou Targus,
Happy to help.
I hope your computer problems are resolved, if not you know where to come for help :P
All the Best Merete
Happy to help.
I hope your computer problems are resolved, if not you know where to come for help :P
All the Best Merete
ASKER
Hi! Thanks for the help! I have a few further questions to ask you. Regarding the 'ports', that 2.0 USB and 3.0 USB ports "APPEAR" to look ALIKE *FROM THE OUTSIDE AT A SHORT DISTANCE* -- that is they have the same rectangular appearance?
I have been looking at some of those PCI-E cards' ports and the 3.0 USB ports from a distance in those ad photos online sure look VERY MUCH LIKE the 2.0 PCI cards' ports.
I now see after reading your comment that they are PURPOSELY making this very cable a 2.0 USB cable (I would call it.) even though they ARE CALLING IT a 3.0 USB cable. Confusing!
Reason for this: Since most computers in use today (not talking the CURRENT ones being manufactured) are NOT 3.0 USB capable unless you get a 3.0 USB PCI-e card.
3.0 USB & 2.0 USB plug issue: SO, if I wanted to have the ability of utilizing the 3.0 USB of this external hard drive, I would have to get a 3.0 USB PCI-e card as I have mentioned and...
...a *TRUE* 3.0 USB cable. Now picking the 3.0 USB cable -- as I have mentioned that the 3.0 USB Type A plug look a lot like the 2.0 USB Type A plug too. Confusing visually! I think you may agree. Could you please tell me or give me a web link to the sale of a *TRUE* 3.0 cable hopefully with a visual image I would now need to utilizing the 3.0 USB technology keeping the one end of the cable as you have mentioned "Male USB 3.0 Micro-B terminal" obviously for the external hard drive 3.0 USB plug on the Seagate?
I would think the KEY DIFFERENCE between a 2.0 USB cable and a 3.0 USB cable would be able to visually detect the difference between 3.0 USB Type A plug from a 2.0 USB Type A plug? How?
Thanks!