USB1.0 or 2.0?

Question

This is probably going to sound like a stupid question, but I am thinking of buying an MP3 player and it requires that the computer have USB 2.0.  Problem is I have no idea whether this is the case for my Latitude 840.  The manuals are useless.  How can I find out?

Tonto Goldstein · Answer

I'm pretty sure the C840 is USB 1.1 (Support could probably confirm this, were you to contact them), so in order to use a device which requires USB 2.0, you'd have to add a  USB 2.0 PCMCIA card for the system.

SirGareth128 · Answer

I am certain your laptop uses USB1.1. You do not have to get USB 2.0 for your MP3 player to work, but it will transfer files faster if you bought a USB 2,0 PCMCIA card.

mortstiff · Answer

Sir Garath,

Thanks. I saw a good deal for a USB 2.0 PCI Controller Card that seems to suggest it converts the 1.1 into a 2.0. Will something like this do the job or does it have to be a PCMCIA card?

Here are the specifications:

3-Port (2+1) PCI USB 2.0 Controller Card
VIA VT6202 chipset
USB 2.0 compliant
USB 1.1 backwards compatible
Two (2) 4-pin external ports
One (1) 4-pin internal port
480Mbps maximum data transfer rate
32-bit 33MHz PCI interface (2.2 compliant)
Supports up to 127 devices
Hot-swappable
Supports PCI bus power management specifications 1.1

semuhphor · Answer

For what it's worth...

I have a C600 and got a Firewire/USB2.0 card made by a company named SIIG. Works great... (Use it to talk to an external HP DVD Writer for backups.)

Like the other fellow said, you can probably use the USB1.1 port -- just slower (I can read just fine using 1.0 and 1.1 ports.)

SirGareth128 · Answer

For a laptop, it has to be a PCMCIA card. If you have a docking station with a PCI expansion slot, you can buy a regular PCI card and put it in there.

mortstiff · Answer

Just for clarification, because I'm a novice:  I buy the PCMCIA card and just insert it into the available PC1 port on the laptop?

SirGareth128 · Answer

That sounds correct.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

USB1.0 or 2.0?

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