USB2 devices: does the type cable matter?

Question

I needed to get a couple of longer cables for my external USB2 hard drives.

In my haste I bought two that are marked "USB" with no mention of "2."

Does this matter? That is, will any USB cable allow the device operate as USB2? Or are the cables USB2-specific?

dg

dg27 · Answer

Thanks, ejn63.

The weird thing is that I googled the part number [USB TID 60000467] and it would appear that these cables are actually 2.0, though they're not marked as such.

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=usb+tid+60000467&btnG=Google+Search

The tags just say "Hi-Speed Certified USB."

But I can't find specific listings for part number TID 60000467.

dg

ejn63 · Answer

Yes, there are differences - USB 2.0 cables are manufactured to tighter tolerances than USB 1.1 cables.

mombodog · Answer

Always remember when purchasing usb products.   Hi-Speed =  2.0   Full Speed = 1.1

mombodog · Answer

No assumption, you are correct, there was a big too-do, when usb 2.0 came out, about how to keep things less confusing when purchasing the new 2.0 products, so in their infinite wisdom they decided on the 'high speed'   'full speed'  logo's.   Very confusing in my opinion.   I know what it what really about was, keeping manufacturers happy, so they could still sell their old usb 1.1 products. If everything was labeled clearly  usb 2.0  or usb 1.1, no one would buy the old 1.1 technology, it would be left on the shelves, so they came up with the highspeed-fullspeed confusing scheme.

dg27 · Answer

Thanks, Mombodog. I assume then these *are* in fact 2.0, since they're labeled 'hi-speed.' dg

dg27 · Answer

Hmmm...great logic they had when you considered that 'hi-speed' is faster than 'full-speed.' Thanks for your help. dg

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USB2 devices: does the type cable matter?

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