The Hindu Business Line : USB 2.0 drive popup message

When I plug a USB drive to my system, it gives a message along these lines: "hi-speed USB device attached to non hi-speed hub." What does this mean? Will it be a problem if I use that drive? Please explain.

Geetha Anju

USB devices actually operate at three different speeds, depending on the hardware and the specifications of the devices. They are low speed, up to 1.5 Mbps, Full speed, up to 12 Mbps, and Hi-Speed, up to 480 Mbps. Low speed and full speed exist in the USB 1.1 Specification and in addition Hi-Speed also exists in the USB 2.0 specification. USB 2.0 is fully compatible with USB 1.1 devices. The older devices work with the new bus, and vice versa.

Your system's message, "hi-speed USB device attached to non hi-speed hub" is a warning that your system detected that your USB drive is USB 2.0 specification, but your system platform supports only USB 1.1 specification. You can use your USB 2.0 drive with USB 1.1 specification platform but the performance (speed) will be reduced to 12Mbps.

Most systems sold after 2002 are USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) enabled. USB 2.0 enabled means that the computer has one or more USB-enhanced host controllers. You need to check whether your system is USB 1.1 specification or USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) specification. This information might be available in your motherboard manual. To check this, please click Start - Run - type "devmgmt.msc" and click ok. In the Device Manager window, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers node. Look for a host controller with the word `Enhanced' in the title. If you find one, your system has USB 2.0 capable ports and has the necessary host controller drivers.

If you do not find an enhanced host controller under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" node, then expand the "Other Devices" section. Look for "Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller". If you find this item, your system has USB 2.0 capable ports, but you need to install drivers for this host controller. For Windows 2000 and XP, the USB 2.0 drivers are available in the Service Packs themselves. Install SP4 for Windows 2000 and at least SP1 for Windows XP OS.

If you do not find an "Enhanced Host Controller" under both "Universal Serial Bus controllers" and "Other Devices", your system does not have any USB 2.0 ports. Otherwise, please buy a USB 2.0 hub that is Hi-Speed certified or install a USB 2.0 EHCI peripheral component interconnect (PCI) add-in card to your system. You can then attach your Hi-Speed USB 2.0 device to these Hi-Speed enabled ports.

For more information, please refer, http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/bus/usb/USBFAQ_intro.mspx

Solution by M. Sampath

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