Can a usb 2 device work on a 1.1 port

Treora

I'm considering in getting a usb 2.0 key fob storage device. My machine is old and I believe it only has a 1.1 port. Is the usb 2.0 protocol backward compatible.

SirLemonhead

Yup it'll work, but obviously at the slower speed.

Liquid K9

you need to check the device your connecting to the USB 1.1 port.

USB 2.0 is fully backwards compatable with USB 1.1, however some manufacturers make the devices soley USB 2.0 usable (greater speed etc.). Just check with the manufacturer of the device you want to plug into the USB 1.1 port; the majority of the time it'll work, but sometimes (specifically with external storage) this is not the case.

Bri

MasterOfSolos wrote:

Yup it'll work, but obviously at the slower speed.

So there's no difference in the physical cable? i.e. They have the same ending as USB1.1 or do they supply two cables?

tman

they have the same connectors at the end, but (afaik) a usb 1.1 cable can only carry data at usb 1.1 speed. so a usb2 device connected to a usb2 port via a usb1.1 cable, would work at usb1.1 rates.

had no problems using my usb2.0 memory key on usb1.1

Mutant_Fruit

Liquid K9 wrote:

USB 2.0 is fully backwards compatable with USB 1.1

however some manufacturers make the devices soley USB 2.0 usable

Thats a bit contradictory there. Either it is fully compatible or it isn't, and i'm 99% sure it is fully compatible. I've never heard of a USB2 device not working on a USB1/1.1 port.

Dun

tman wrote:

had no problems using my usb2.0 memory key on usb1.1

Same here, and I have a USB 2 memory stick and it works fine on my computer with 1.1 ports.

heggie

if it didnt work it would be a software issue, so a concern only if u were using win 98. The 3g ipods only work on USB2 but it is a software issue, they can work on 1.1, just not out of the box.

Bri

heggie wrote:

just not out of the box.

Huh?

Mutant_Fruit

i believe what he means is that you need to use different software other than the stuff supplied in the box.

But 99.9% of the time, USB2 equipment will work out-of-box in a USB1/1.1 computer. Stuff like memory sticks is guarenteed to work. In fact, unless a manufacturer specifically designs their software to not work on USB1/1.1 there is no reason why it won't work.

Stephen

heggie: my 3g ipod works with USB1.1 out-of-the-box as you say.

heggie

really hmm ok, im wrong about the 3g, there is def an ipod out there that doesnt, musnt be the 3g one.

Liquid K9

Mutant_Fruit wrote:

Thats a bit contradictory there. Either it is fully compatible or it isn't, and i'm 99% sure it is fully compatible. I've never heard of a USB2 device not working on a USB1/1.1 port.

I know, but who ever said proprietary hardware had to make sense?

to clear up what I meant:

I meant to say that some manufacturers make devices that are compatible with the 2.0 standard, but utilize hardware 'features' such as high speed drives, which *require* a high speed port. This doesnt mean that the 2.0 standard isnt backwardsly incompatable, only that the hardware requirement of a a specific device is that of the 2.0 standard.

Redrocket

what? youre saying a manufacturer makes a device for usb 2.0 and not 1.1 for speed reasons?? show us an example of a product like this. thats retarded

Jammer

USB2 is faster then USB 1.1....so of course they use USB2 for speed reasons!

Redrocket

you're funny!
but seriously, whats the point of making a piece of usb hardware non 1.1 complaint???
because you want to sell it to the elite people that have usb2.0 only?

Mutant_Fruit

Once again, all USB2 stuff IS backwards compatible with USB1/1.1. Thats the whole point behind having a standard.

USB 2.0 is an evolution of the USB 1.1 Specification, providing a higher performance interface, with a much higher bandwidth. USB 2.0 runs at 480 Mbps, 40 times faster than USB 1.1, which runs at 1.5 Mbps Low Speed or 12 Mbps Full Speed USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1 USB 2.0 is configured for Plug and Play and hot-swapping USB 2.0 is compatible with Windows 985E, ME, 2000, XP and Mac OS. USB Hi-Speed is another name for USB 2.0.

mrhappy42

it could be possible that some USB2.0 need a speed to work correctly...some external storage devices such a DVD burners might cause buffer under-runs etc at very high burn speeds...they should work with 1.1 but might not.

Not all manufacures claim that they work with 1.1 if they only have testing budget for 2.0...its a cruel world.

possible some camcorders or other video equipement could have issues.

However your point of 'show me a device' is well made...however I think that is only 'cos people have not truly made use of the 2.0 speeds but I see this happening over time.

Tusky

Ive an iRiver which is 2.0 an my pc only has 1.1 - works grand.

Redrocket

where did all this confusion come from about 2.0 not being compatible with 1.1????

astrofool

if a device needs more than the 12 mb/s supplied by usb 1.1, then it'll get detected, but obviously won't run at its full potential, and/or not work at all.

Same as if you plug a usb device that needs power into an unpowered hub, it detects it, but won't actually run.

It really means that ALL 1.1 devices will run on 2.0, but 2.0 devices may not work on 1.1. Like PS1 games run on PS2, but PS1 will not run PS2 games, the PS2 is still backwards compatable.