Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

[japlytic]

As some of you may be aware, there are systems with USB 2.0 ports but not all of them are high-speed (2.0); some of them are low-speed (1.1). Fortunately all 8 USB ports on my computer were high-speed.

Should there be labelling of USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports on systems which have a mixture of USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports? (USB 2.0 controllers are cheap in quantities, so making them all high-speed would not cost all that much)

I guess a lot of novice users find it hard to tell if a USB port is high-speed (2.0) or low-speed (1.1).

[Chris1992]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

Good idea. However, all recent MBs I see have all 2.0 ports. What is your board?

[willawake]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

another common issue i see on various boards is users not knowing that winxp requires sp1 and win2k sp4 in order for the usb 2.0 drivers to be available. So the correct procedure is to install the service pack before installation of the motherboard drivers. Otherwise the driver installation will not be convenient and easy. Actually recently i forgot to do that and ended up in a strange driver installation loop. when you have 8 ports that can be rather frustrating.

[cods69]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

Actually recently i forgot to do that and ended up in a strange driver installation loop. when you have 8 ports that can be rather frustrating.

I have similar problems with some boards - now I either disable USB in the BIOS or pull the card out (depending on machine type) before installing a system, without enabling (or plugging in) until all SP's and chipset drivers are on and other drivers are ready to go.
I treat most other devices in a similar way (audio, lan, card adaptors, raid(if possible), etc.)

[japlytic]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

Should there be a colour code for USB 1.1 and 2.0 leads and ports?

[Chris1992]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

@Japlytic: definitely. Maybe gray for 1.1 and black for 2.0?

[japlytic]

Re: Labelling of USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports

There are two USB logos: the one with the "+" indicates it is high speed (Refer to Page 983 of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 16th Edition).
Some USB backplates and front panel USB adaptors are labelled with the USB logo without the "+"; some with the "+". So it is possible to indicate a low-speed USB port which is actually high-speed and vice versa.
Fortunately, all the USB ports are high-speed on almost every new computer.