Portable Hard Drive - USB 1.1

DarkStar · Nov 23, 2008, 16:17:45

I have been thinking of getting a smallish (size and capacity) USB portable hard drive to store my photos and camera video on. However, my ancient computer has only 1.1 USB drives and the people I have spoken to tell me that a portable hard drive needs to have a separate power supply like a desktop HDD because a 1.1 USB connection will not supply sufficient power for the device to work. Does anyone know from personal experience if this is in fact correct. A look at WD and Seagate sites do not mention backward compatibility from 2.0 > 1.1 but the Freecom site does.
So, before I go splashing out on a new drive I thought I would solicit opinions from the more experienced here at IDNetters

Ian

Steve · Nov 23, 2008, 16:28:23

Is it possible to install a USB card into your machine to allow USB 2.0 compatibility?

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 16:29:14

Quote from: stevethegas on Nov 23, 2008, 16:28:23
Is it possible to install a USB card into your machine to allow USB 2.0 compatibility?

Something like This

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 16:34:15

The power supply is not an issue, it's the same for 1.1 and 2, Ian. However, the speed difference is significant and I'd certainly recommend adding a USB2 card if you have a free slot.

DarkStar · Nov 23, 2008, 17:29:44

Thanks for replies.

I knew that USB 2.0 was a lot faster than 1.1 but I didn't realize it was that much faster.
I also wasn't aware that upgrading to USB 2.0 was that simple.

Perhaps it won't be in my case, see below.
My computer is just over 5 years old and although it has 4 USB sockets two are vertical just over half way up the back to one side and the other two are horizontal at the bottom in the middle. Not exactly designed for easy access. As I obviously cannot install a 4 port device as shown in Teds link perhaps it would be possible to get a 2 port and just update two of them. Would it be possible to have 2x2.0 and 2x1.1 without any problems? Not being a hardware techie any advice is welcome.

Ian

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 17:32:26

You can mix quite happily, Ian. If you have a free slot, though, you should be able to install the card Ted linked to.

DarkStar · Nov 23, 2008, 17:54:01

I have just been having a look on the web and find several places have 2 port USB cards. However, i find there are such things as 2.1 and 2.2 PCI slots that I need to watch out for. Have looked at the computer spec docs that I got with the computer and there isn't any mention of the USB devices.
Just how easy is it for a non techie to install one of these. I assume I would need to remove the present card and install a new one in it's place, any wiring / connecting up to do? Does the PC / Windows automatically recognize the new device the same as it does a new external HDD?
I think I'll have a search online for instructions, and take the side off the CPU in the morning before I switch on and have a good look round in there.

Ian

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 17:59:20

Can you give us a pic of the inside of the pc. Or the make and model?

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 18:01:39

It's a bit like putting a plug in a socket, Ian, only longer.

If you have a standard size case, though, you can fit the 4-port card with no problems, just find a spare slot. You do need to know that the spares are PCI and not something older though, how old is the machine?

There would be no need to remove the existing ports, which may well be connected to a motherboard chip anyway. Windows should recognise the card and install drivers automatically.

ducky22 · Nov 23, 2008, 18:03:00

Definitely go down the additional card route.

USB1.1 will operate around 1mb/second (megabyte) while USB2 should give around 20-30mb (depending on the computer's ability to process the data!)

Glenn · Nov 23, 2008, 18:03:06

Quote from: DarkStar on Nov 23, 2008, 17:54:01
I have just been having a look on the web and find several places have 2 port USB cards. However, i find there are such things as 2.1 and 2.2 PCI slots that I need to watch out for. Have looked at the computer spec docs that I got with the computer and there isn't any mention of the USB devices.
Just how easy is it for a non techie to install one of these. I assume I would need to remove the present card and install a new one in it's place, any wiring / connecting up to do? Does the PC / Windows automatically recognize the new device the same as it does a new external HDD?
I think I'll have a search online for instructions, and take the side off the CPU in the morning before I switch on and have a good look round in there.

Ian

Ian, It's just a matter of removing the side of the PC, unscrewing a blanking plate , then fit the new card into the free slot and re-fitting the screw and case side. Windows XP & Vista should find the drivers for the device.

Steve · Nov 23, 2008, 18:05:00

As Glen said, but in addition which OS and service pack are you running i.e XP SP2

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 18:10:15

Quote from: Rik on Nov 23, 2008, 18:01:39
You do need to know that the spares are PCI and not something older though, how old is the machine?

He says its around 5 years old, so will almost certainly be PCI although it may have a ISA slot.

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 18:11:59

Thanks, Ted, I must learn to read posts.

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 18:14:12

At the rate you type Rik, i'm surprised you have time to read at all

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 18:15:16

Oh, I don't, I just reply to the subject line.

Steve · Nov 23, 2008, 18:17:59

If no spare slot, there is probably a PCI modem not required any more.

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 18:19:03

Quote from: stevethegas on Nov 23, 2008, 18:17:59
If no spare slot, there is probably a PCI modem not required any more.

Is there one that is?

DarkStar · Nov 23, 2008, 18:19:54

Right, have had a look on the net and seen a bit about the PCI / ASI slots. One is black, one white I believe. When I open it up in the morning (the whole side comes off, plenty of room in there) I will see if I can take a photo and post it on here, then the more knowledgeable can analyze it

The computer is a Mesh, just over 5 years old and is running XP Home SP3.

If I don't get time to look in it tonight I'll do it tomorrow morning and report back.

Ian

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 18:22:45

Don't think you'll have any problem there.
But as you say, have a look and see.

Rik · Nov 23, 2008, 18:23:02

We'll be here Ian.

Ted · Nov 23, 2008, 18:35:57

One small tip Ian
It doesn't sound as if you will have an "earthing strap".

Just leave the machine plugged in at the mains socket, but make sure that the switch on the socket is off.

The earth is still connected even though the live and neutral connections are disconnected.

DarkStar · Nov 23, 2008, 21:26:12

Have now taken a couple of photos of the CPU, inside and out. Your verdict is awaited.

Ian

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Den · Nov 23, 2008, 21:42:28

Quote from: Ted on Nov 23, 2008, 18:35:57
One small tip Ian
It doesn't sound as if you will have an "earthing strap".

Just leave the machine plugged in at the mains socket, but make sure that the switch on the socket is off.

The earth is still connected even though the live and neutral connections are disconnected.

The switch on a socket only switches the live side of the socket and not the neutral so be carefull incase the polarity is reversed.

Sebby · Nov 23, 2008, 22:01:37

To be honest, I wasn't aware that that were so many PCI slot variants, Ian! What I would say is that the slots in your computer are what I would call standard PCI slots, and you shouldn't have any bother fitting something like what Ted linked to on eBay.