USB2 Extension Cable Problem

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buck

Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each) the
other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time to time
(about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter and she has
noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious that the extension
cables are the problem but my question is.... Would freeze-up occur if the
cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an ordinary
usb or do I just have some junk cables?? I guess you get what you pay
for..... $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~)
-TIA
 
buck said:
Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each) the
other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time to time
(about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter and she has
noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious that the extension
cables are the problem but my question is.... Would freeze-up occur if the
cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an ordinary
usb or do I just have some junk cables?? I guess you get what you pay
for..... $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~)
-TIA
Click to expand...

http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5#q2

" Q1: How long of a cable can I use to connect my device?

A1: In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a
cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little
under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit
is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

There is an opinion about USB cables here:

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.photo.digital/msg/50aedf3bc80e343c?dmode=source

And chapter 6 of the main USB2 specification shows how
USB cables are supposed to be constructed.

http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/usb_20_05122006.zip

For $1.50, I'd snip the end off it and see how it is made.
Seeing as it isn't working well anyway, you aren't losing
anything.

Paul
 
Hey Paul...... Thanks so much for the info. I have been around computers
for some time but was totally ignorant about the cable length of usb2. You
have saved me a lot of time and grief and I thank you for taking time.
 
buck said:
Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each)
the other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time
to time (about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter
and she has noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious
that the extension cables are the problem but my question is....
Would freeze-up occur if the cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an
ordinary usb
Nope.

or do I just have some junk cables??
Yep.

I guess you get what you pay for.....
Click to expand...

Guess again.
$1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~) -TIA
Click to expand...

The ones I have bought at that price are fine.
 
Shielded, large conductor, quality 10ft. USB2 extension cables go for around
$20.
1.50? Yes, I think you got what you paid for.
 
DaveW said:
Shielded, large conductor, quality 10ft. USB2 extension cables go for around
$20.
1.50? Yes, I think you got what you paid for.
Click to expand...
Buy them with a printer and take the first one offered and you'll pay up
to $30. I just bought a perfectly good, (Belkin), 6 foot USB 2 cable
for $0.99 at the "99 Cent Store". You get what you find!
 
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