How can I verify the transfer speed of my USB port?  I've added a 2.0
card, but the "real world" results make me wonder if it's working
properly.  Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 31 Dec 2002 21:58 PST

What operating system are you using?  There are some utilities that I
can recommend that will test your USB speed, but I need to know your
OS to recommend the correct one.

-THV

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 31 Dec 2002 23:42 PST

humatrope...

What programs are you using which utilize USB? There
are some notorious failures in the use of USB for a
cable modem, for example, vs a network card.

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Clarification of Question by humatrope-ga on 02 Jan 2003 18:18 PST

I'm using Windows 2000 Professional (yeah I know thats a mistake- too
late smart!)  I am using the proper drivers, I think...

Dear humatrope-ga,

To measure the speed S of your USB connection, copy a file of size X
and divide by the number of seconds it takes to copy Y.  S = X / Y

For example, if it takes 10 seconds to copy 100 MBs your USB
connection is working at 10 MBS

USB 1 is capable of 12 MBS
USB 2 is capable 480 MBS

I recently switched from USB 1 to USB 2 with my external USB hard
drive and noticed a huge difference in speed.  Some reasons why you
might not have noticed an increase are:

Your USB card handles USB 2 but the USB device you are connecting to
it only handles USB 1.

Your computer has a bottleneck somewhere else.  Either a slow system
bus, hard drive or CPU.

Sincerely,

Tim / sweetcaro333-ga

Thanks!

You can try using a USB hard drive. Assuming that the bottleneck is
the actual USB connection (and not the hard drive itself), you can
clock the time it takes to transfer files of a known size over the USB
connection. This would give you the transfer rate.

You *are* using devices certified for USB 2.0 with your new port to
test these results, aren't you?

Bookface has a good point.

In general, USB 1/1.1 devices will still only operate at USB 1 speed
when connected to USB 2 ports. Supposedly, USB 2 devices will operate
at USB 2 speed with the same old cables, but some companies sell more
expensive USB 2 cables, so if you are using USB2 devices, then maybe
you need a USB2 cable.

None of this will matter unless you are using USB 2 devices.