not using available USB 2.0 2

[j0ckser]

i searched T-T for this issue to no avail; please advise if this is the wrong forum.
hardware=dell latitude d600 w/ 2 external usb "plugs"
o/s=winxp home sp2
my device manager shows no hardware problems.
device manager shows following usb 'setup' with no devices running from it:
3 usb univ host contr
1 usb enhanc host contr
4 usb root hub

if i plug one of my peripherals into the usb 'plug' on the laptop i get no message. when i plug them into a little 4 port external hub, i get:
"This usb device can perform faster if you connect it to a High-Speed USB 2.0 port. For a list of available ports click here." when i purchased the hub, it came with a power source but i ran into operational problems when it was powered so i unplugged it and all seemed to be fine.

i recently had to re-do my hard drive but with XP home and since then i get this message every time i plug something in.

i have read a little about USB but i have a few nagging questions that may answer why i can't use USB 2 with my external hub.

1. what is the difference between port and 'plug'?
2. why am i offered 'available ports' why can i not use them?
3. is my system (from available info) set up for USB 2?
4. could this be just a matter of finding suitable power for the external hub? (what specs?)

per ardua ad astra

 

[linney]

See Bill Castners comments in these two threads.

No USB 2 in XP SP1
thread779-750105

How to confirm computer has USB 1.0 or 2.0?
thread779-954304


I don't know if these help but they might.

http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

How do I distinguish between a USB 2.0 and a USB 1.1 device?

New logos designed by the USB Promoter Group allow consumers to easily identify the new USB 2.0 products. The new colorful logo for USB 2.0 is labeled USB Hi-Speed, and the new logo for USB 1.1 is labeled with USB Basic Speed. However, most people won’t miss it as manufacturers often label “USB 2.0 READY” or “40 times faster than USB 1.1” on the boxes.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/bus/USB/USB2support.mspx

problem installing usb 2.0 pci card
thread779-1269932

USB 4-Port Hub - What brand is this?
thread779-1304010

 

[wolluf]

The enhanced controller says you have USB 2 - so presumably must be a problem with the hub (ie, its acting as a USB 1.1 device).

 

[r0gerc]

Sounds as though the external hub is USB 1.1. It should still work but not at high speed.

 

[j0ckser]

star to r0gerc. thank you.

http://support.dlink.ca/SupportFAQ/default.asp?model=DSB-H4

for some reason (long forgotten now) i thought it was a 2.0 hub.
so i have the solution to my dilema, but am missing answers to Q1 & Q2. please.

per ardua ad astra

 

[j0ckser]

oops star also to wolluf

per ardua ad astra

 

[r0gerc]

Not sure about Q1, I think it all depends on what you call it, it's all the same thing to me. As for Q2, I think XP 'knows' you have a USB2 port/plug/socket on the PC but is confused by the fact that there is a USB1.1 hub in between, so it 'offers' a list of available USB2 ports. These of course are not USB2 speed because the hub slows them down. I bought a small cheap hub a couple of years ago without realising it would make any difference and I get the same message as you did so obviously it is USB1.1 as well. Thanks for the star, by the way.

Best of luck,
Roger

 

[avanderlaan]

If you are running SP2 you probably need to install the USB 2.0 drivers manually. For systems that were originally installed as XP pre-SP2 there was no support for USB 2.0, and the 2.0 drivers do not install automatically from Windows update. So upgrade them manually by selecting a USB 2.0 device in Device manager and updating the driver.