LaCie Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections, n What is USB 2.0?, LaCie SAFE Hard Drive, User Manual

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LaCie SAFE Hard Drive	Helpful Information
User Manual	page 31

7.3. Optimizing USB 2.0 Connections

The following technical information relates to your LaCie Drive and gives some practical advice.

nWhat is USB 2.0?

The new USB 2.0 standard provides higher bandwidth for high-speed peripherals such as ex- ternal hard drives, high-speed scanners and CD- RW drives. USB 2.0 delivers transfer rates up to 480Mb/s, while conveniently

maintaining backward compatibility with

USB 1.1 devices.

USB 2.0 can still be used to connect lower-speed USB 1.1 ports and devices like digital cameras, scanners, modems, keyboards, mice, joysticks and printers. In

the USB 2.0 system, existing USB peripherals do not have to be upgraded, and lower-speed devices will not require additional performance, instead operating as USB 1.1 devices.

USB Cables and Connectors

Your LaCie SAFE drive is shipped with a USB

2.0-certified USB cable, to ensure maximum data transfer performance when connected to a USB 2.0 port. The cable will also work when connected to a USB 1.1 port, but drive performance will be lim- ited to USB 1.1 transfer rates.

There are also different types of USB connec-

tions, such as the mini-cable and device end. Make sure that you have the correct type of connection on computer. Consult LaCie Customer Support or your LaCie reseller for more information.

USB 2.0 Host Bus Adapters and Performance To use the newly-enhanced USB 2.0 perfor-

mances, your computer must be equipped with a USB 2.0 host bus adapter card (sold separately, such as the LaCie USB 2.0 PCI Card, or integrated by your PC manufacturer) and the appropriate drivers. These host bus adapter cards, which include one or more USB ports, are shipped with special USB

2.0drivers that enable the computer to control the card. These drivers must be installed in order for USB 2.0 devices connected to the port to work at their correct speeds. For installation instructions, please refer to the documentation that comes with the host adapter card.

LaCie supplies only the appropriate USB 2.0 drivers for its peripherals and does not provide drivers for third-party host adapter cards.To obtain the right drivers for your host adapter card, visit your card manufacturer’s Internet site.