Is it possible to distinguish visually between an USB 1.1 and 2.0 cable?
I just purchased a new printer/scanner and am using an old cable (I don’t remember where it came from). The old cable works, but I guess I should get a new one, but I don’t want to waste the money if I don’t have to. I printed one photo and it seemed to take a long time to send the image from PC to printer, but maybe it’s my imagination, or maybe it’s just because the new printer has better resolution.
There is No difference as there is no such thing as a USB 2.0 cable. As long as the wire meets the USB spec then you’ll get the right performance.
Ummm… BS. USB 1.1 has a 15Mb/sec throughput rate; USB maxes out at 480Mb. For a printer, is that a huge differene? Not generally. But that doesn’t mean there’s no difference in the cabling standards.
Google is a Doper’s friend.
Putting in “difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0 cables” (without quotes) got me this as the first link:
http://www.everythingusb.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=809
I did Google first, and I saw there are a variety of answers from saying it makes no difference to it makes a huge difference. Also I didn’t find any actual photos of any cables showing they look any different. I guess I’ll just go out and guy a new one for the hell of it.
From the USB.org FAQ
However, the USB 2.0 spec does list differences between “high-speed/full-speed” and “low speed” cables. For example, high-speed cables are required to have twisted pair conductors and braided shield, but this is optional for low speed cables (section 6.3, 6.6).
You might look for the HI-SPEED logo to be sure.
Windows pops up a notice telling you that you’re using a USB 1.1 connection, when a USB 2.0 is possible with an attached device. Without this message, I expect it’s using USB 2.0 transmission.
You may wish to try some of the different sending modes. The more likely reason is the printer is set to a specialty setting that allows for drying time of the ink. The later is not the case if the delay is before starting to print.
If you see the scanner light come on, that normally delays response until the light is warmed up. I don’t know why the manufacturer would activate the light before printing, but they don’t always do what makes best sense to the consumer. Like when one color of ink needs cleaning, and they force ink out of all the color heads. We know they just want to sell more expensive ink.
Perhaps you should re-read my post. As long as the cable meets the USB spec, it will perform to USB 2.0 standards. Now, does it meet the specs? I don’t belive you can tell just by looking at it. I’d try hooking up a highr bandwidth devide, maybe your mp3 player, an external hardrive? That should let you know right quick whether it meets the specs or not.