If you're using an older computer with a USB 1.1 port, you're missing the dramatic improvement in speed offered by the newer USB 2.0 standard. MP3 players, printers, flash drives and a wide variety of other devices are designed to work with faster USB 2.0 ports. Unfortunately, updating the USB driver on an older computer will not work. Instead, you must first upgrade the hardware. The good news is that USB 2.0 hardware costs very little.

Laptops

The upgrade solution for laptop models comes in the form of an expansion card that fits into the PCMCIA slot. A USB 2.0 PCMCIA card usually includes two ports. If you require more ports, you can plug a USB 2.0 expander into one of the available ports that can include four to eight additional ports, depending on the model you choose. After installing the PCMCIA USB 2.0 card, you can then install the software drivers included with the card that will enable the USB 2.0 ports. Know that the USB 2.0 ports on the PCMCIA card will not allow you to use devices plugged into those ports to boot your computer, as you may have been able to do with the slower USB ports included with the laptop.

Workstations

If you have a desktop or mini-tower computer model, check to make sure you have an available expansion slot for an addition internal expansion card. You will need to install a USB 2.0 expansion card that plugs into an available PCI slot on your computer's main board. Unlike laptop PCMCIA cards, USB 2.0 internal cards may include up to four USB 2.0 ports. As with a laptop, you will need to install USB 2.0 drivers provided with the internal PCI card to make the ports functional with your operating system.

Download Drivers if Needed

If you purchase a used PCMCIA or PCI USB 2.0 expansion card, drivers may not be included with the device. Instead, download the drivers from the manufacturer's website.

Source:

Ask Leo! How do I upgrade to USB 2.0?

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