I paid someone to install a new NEC USB 2.0 in my 3 year old Medion PC
(o/s XP with service pack 2), but when I subsequently attached a
Freecom external back-up drive (USB 2.0) and Epson scanner (USB 2.0)
via a powered external hub, I got a message on screen implying that
they would only run at USB 1.1 speed.  Being puzzled by this, I looked
at my list of USB items in Device Manager, but saw no sign of the new
NEC USB 2.0 card.  Surely it should be listed here?

As it is not, does this indicate that either the card has not been
installed properly or, if it has, that it is faulty?  Any advice would
be most appreciated.

The items shown on my Device Manager USB list are as follows:

Generic USB Hub
Sis 7001 PCI to USB Host Controller
Sis 7001 PCI to USB Host Controller
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
VIA Rev or later USB Universal Hub Controller
VIA Rev or later USB Universal Hub Controller
VIA USB Enhanced Hub Controller

Please note that my Epson printer is also plugged into the external
hub and it runs at 1.1 speed.