Really really basic question about a "USB Controller" !!!

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Guest

I have a USB flash stick which works ok but always prompts a message
"this device could work faster if" etc. I am told it's because the
flash stick is USB 2.0 but my Intel "USB controller" is pre that.

Depsite surfing the net, I am still unclear as to what this
"controller" is:-

1) Is it something on the motherboard?
2) Is it the version of PCI card (which houses my USB ports at the
back of the PC)?
3) Is it actually software not hardware??!!

If some kind soul could clarify which of the three, it would make my
options clear, i.e. new PC, new card, or just a driver download!

Thank you SO much in advance!

"A PC ignoramus"
 
No said:
I have a USB flash stick which works ok but always prompts a message
"this device could work faster if" etc. I am told it's because the
flash stick is USB 2.0 but my Intel "USB controller" is pre that.
Click to expand...

That's correct.
Depsite surfing the net, I am still unclear as to what this
"controller" is:-

1) Is it something on the motherboard?
Click to expand...

Yes. It's a little chip that makes the USB ports work.
2) Is it the version of PCI card (which houses my USB ports at the
back of the PC)?
Click to expand...

I believe the onboard USB ports are attached to the PCI bus, so yes.

There are also USB2 addon cards, that can plug into a free PCI slot,
3) Is it actually software not hardware??!!
Click to expand...

There is a software component, called a driver. But updating the driver
will not make your usb 1 ports into usb 2.
If some kind soul could clarify which of the three, it would make my
options clear, i.e. new PC, new card, or just a driver download!
Click to expand...

New card, if you have a free slot available. Ignore the message if you
don't.
 
I have a USB flash stick which works ok but always prompts a message
"this device could work faster if" etc. I am told it's because the
flash stick is USB 2.0 but my Intel "USB controller" is pre that.

Depsite surfing the net, I am still unclear as to what this
"controller" is:-

1) Is it something on the motherboard?
Click to expand...

It can be. In most modern PCs, a USB controller is built into the
motherboard, and the USB ports are tied into that.

You can still, however, purchase an add-on USB card. Such a card
would have its own USB controller, and all the ports on it would be
run though the card's controller. This is how you can add USB 2.0
support to a system that doesn't have it. An add on card, however,
would not affect any USB ports tied into the motherboard or into some
other USB card.

This is NOT the same as a slot cover with a bunch of USB ports mounted
on it. I'm talking about the CARDS. If it's just a slot cover with
a couple of ports and dangling wires, those don't have a controller
and you'll still have to attach these to the USB headers on a
motherboard or add-on card if you want them to work.
2) Is it the version of PCI card (which houses my USB ports at the
back of the PC)?
Click to expand...

See previous explanation.

It has nothing to do with which PCI standard the card adheres to. If
your USB ports are provided through an add-on card, and you're
wondering if you can simply swap out the card for something newer to
get USB 2.0 support, then the answer is YES.


3) Is it actually software not hardware??!!
Click to expand...

A USB controller is hardware. It's a computer chip. It'll be mounted
onto an add-on card, or onto a motherboard.
 
No said:
I have a USB flash stick which works ok but always prompts a message
"this device could work faster if" etc. I am told it's because the
flash stick is USB 2.0 but my Intel "USB controller" is pre that.

Depsite surfing the net, I am still unclear as to what this
"controller" is:-

1) Is it something on the motherboard?
2) Is it the version of PCI card (which houses my USB ports at the
back of the PC)?
Click to expand...

It would seem so from the way you describe it. Is that an older machine that
could have originally come with no USB capability whatsoever and had a PCI card
later added to give it USB support. i.e. Is your external USB port on that PCI
card? Have you opened the case to check?
3) Is it actually software not hardware??!!

If some kind soul could clarify which of the three, it would make my
options clear, i.e. new PC, new card, or just a driver download!
Click to expand...

New card, if yes to the above. But watch out if that machine is really old as
the motherboard/add-in cards might be of an old form factor and a present-day
card would not fit those.

HTH
Bob
 
Your older computer has a USB controller that is version 1.1. The current,
MUCH faster version is 2.0, which is what your USB flash stick uses. Time
to upgrade your computer.
 
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