USB cable identification...

[K G G]

Besides the lenght differences, is there an easy way to find out what USB (1.1 or 2.0) a given cable is?
I have a few very short ones from various devices (Camera, DVD, Phone) and want to make sure I only use 2.0 to get the better bandwidth.

Once I connect a device is there a way to see in the system what speed it connects at? (I know my Mobo has 2.0 ports).

Thanks,
KGG

[Steve R Jones]

Is there a difference in cables? I know there's a difference in devices/port duplicators etc...

Windows will let you know as soon as you plug a 1.1 device into a 2.0 port. "This device could run faster bla bla bla."

[General Winters]

USB2 cables "should" have better shielding and a heavier gauge wire, but in practice, well made usb1 cables will work fine with usb2 and a poorly made/cheap usb2 cable may only work at usb1 speeds.

[Train]

And should you get tired of the warning:
How to turn off the "Hi-speed USB device plugged into non-hi-speed USB hub" warning message

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835967

[K G G]

I thought there was an extra (ground?) wire or something in USB2 - maybe I am wrong.
I run W2K and never have seen the "Hi-Speed" warning.

How can you tell the bandwidth when a device is connected though?

[Train]

1.5Mbps & 12Mbps = 1.1 speeds

USB 2.0 has a raw data rate at 480Mbps

Based on file transfer size and the time taken is how I judge.

More reading on that at http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

[Train]

USB cards are not that expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...B+2.0+PCI+card

[SuperSparks]

I've never found a cable yet that didn't work just fine on USB2, however old it is.

[K G G]

Based on file transfer size and the time taken is how I judge.http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

Is that the best way to measure throughput - really? Without any additional SW I mean...

[Train]

Took about 2 - 2.5 hours to transfer 90+ GB.
Not slow in my book.