Lab Rats! Episode 78: Understanding USB –

Show Notes - Episode 78

SERIES: Lab Rats

EPISODE #: 78

RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2007

TITLE: Understanding USB

RUN TIME: 24:26:24

HOSTS: Andy Walker and Sean Carruthers

EDITOR: Sean Carruthers

SOURCE: www.labrats.tv/episodes/ep78.html

NOTES:

- USB Port: Universal Serial Bus.

USB 1.0 = quickly replaced with USB 1.1.
USB 1.1 = transfer speeds up to 11 Mbps. Still about 100 times faster than the maximum speed of a 9-pin serial.
USB 2.0 = transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.
All standards of USB carry data and power on the same cable.
Belkin F5U700 Powered USB Hub

- Serial Port: connection using a 9 pin connector similar in shape to a analog monitor cable.

- Parallel Port: typically used for older printers.

- Troubleshoot USB Issues:

1) Click Start
2) Click on Control Panel
3) Double-click on System in the Control Panel
4) Click on the Hardware tab
5) Click on Device Manager
6) Find and click the plus symbol on Universal Serial Bus Controllers
7) Uninstall your USB Root Hub from the Device Manager
8) During your next reboot, the computer will locate and install the new USB Root Hub

- The serial port we know [RS-232] arrived in the late 1960's. Parallel [IEEE1284] came in the 1970's.

- Lots of USB information available at: http://www.tinyurl.com/5lek6.

- In fact, USB was designed to be "Plug and Play", allowing plugging and unplugging without rebooting.

- The reality if that lots of flaky USB hardware and drivers led it to be known as "Plug and Pray".

- For more information on Mass Storage Class visit: http://www.tinyurl.com/38yevp.

- To upgrade your power supply check out episode 43.

- If you're on Facebook don't forget to join the Biff and Boo Fan Club.

- Watch the 365 Days of Lab Rat at: http://www.tinyurl.com/2jp77e.

- Cyberwalker's Radio Show at http://www.cyberwalker.com/topic/49 .

- See Andy's guest appearances on the Lab with Leo at http://www.andywalker.com/labwithleo.html.

- Be sure to check out Andy's new DVD, Getting Started with Windows Vista, on sale now!

- Little Geeks Organization - Little Geeks is a philanthropic organization that collects, refurbishes and re-distributes donated home computers to children in need.