How do I find out my USB speed?

[MrPig]

Hello all,

I was just wondering if there was any easy way for me to check the speed of my USB ports, the OS is XP Home if that makes any difference..

Thanks

 

[paparazi]

USB2 is either something your motherboard has or doesn't have, like lan or 8x AGP, it is just another feature that newer motherboards have installed. So look in your motherboards manual, visit the motherboard manufactures website with the make and model number or just tell us what your system has fitted.
You also need to have USB2 drivers installed or service pack 1 for Windows XP, which also provides the drivers for USB2 support.
Martin


Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[MrPig]

Thanks for the reply - I had no way of knowing anything about the motherboard, so I downloaded CPU-Z (

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php)

and went about it that way - turns out that it only has 1.1 (and is a very cheap make)

So, next question are the 2.0 USB PCI Cards any good? Is there any brands I should use/avoid?

 

[Blujacket]

I've had good luck with the Belkin F5U220 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 5-Port PCI Card [less than $30 at WalMart]. I have noticed it's easier to set an add-in card up if the chipset on it is a different make than what is on the motherboard, e.g. the NEC chipset on the above card with an ALi chipset on the motherboard, probably due to the different drivers used for each.