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Archiver > PAF-5-USERS > 2005-03 > 1110508701


From: "Linda" <>
Subject: What is a Flash Drive/
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 19:38:21 -0700
In-Reply-To: <KPEEIDELPNHIGJAHKCGFMEFNCDAA.dkcooper6@comcast.net>


Just adding my 2 cents here. No Donna, you don't need to get a new
computer. Although USB 1 is slower than 2, it's not that much slower, it's
a matter of seconds. I can use the same flash drive on my 7 yo desktop and
on my brand new laptop. I doubt that I'd be able to count a significant
number of seconds difference in the time it takes to access or save a file.
I'm talking our kind of files here, not huge big data dumps. Our PAF files
usually aren't that huge in terms of these flash drives. My geek son just
advised me that all USB drives produced now will be version 2 and are
backwards compatible, meaning they will work on computers with USB 1.
Should you happen to find a USB 1 flash drive, it will be something found in
an old backroom and on sale, which will probably be a great temptation; but
although it will probably work with the older computers, pre version 2, it
will not be compatible on the new computers with USB 2.

So you don't need to get a new computer, just a jump drive, assuming you do
have a USB port on your computer.

Another note though. You do need to check that your version of windows is
compatible with the flash drive. If you are running Windows 98, it "may"
not be compatible. However, my Lexar says 98SE, but the drivers worked fine
on my 98 (non SE) computer. 2000 and above, again according to geek son,
don't need any extra driver downloads as those versions can recognize the
flash drive. So check the package carefully to be sure it will work with
your version of windows.

Linda




-----Original Message-----
From: Donna [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 6:29 PM
To:
Subject: RE: [PAF-5] What is a Flash Drive/



-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Rands

<<Someone else mentioned the issue of USB 1 vs. USB 2, so it may be good to
provide a little bit more info about this to help some of you avoid
problems. If your machine is more than about a year old, your USB ports
(if you have them) will more than likely be USB1.1 which are considerably
slower than the new USB 2 ports. USB 1.1 runs at about 11 Mps whereas the
USB 2.0 ports run at 480 Mps. Before you decide to purchase a Flash Drive,
you ought to be sure you know what speed your computer's port is. Also, if
you need to purchase a hub to add more USB ports, you need not buy a USB
2.0 hub if your computer is only a USB 1.1 port.>>

How can you find out what speed your USB port is? If you have the slower
port, can nothing be done but buy a newer PC?
Donna







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