How to check if you have USB 1 or 2

Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are connectors on the computer. Cables are plugged into them. Most newer computers have them on both the front and back They are slots, about 5/8" long.

USB 1.1 and 2.0 posrts look the same, so you can't tell the difference by looking at them. But the distinction is important, because usb 2.0 ports are 40 times faster then usb 1.1. If you're downloading big files like photographs-usb 2.0 is much handier.

You can find which you have in the Device Manager. Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop and click Properties. In Windows XP, select the hardware tab and click Device Manager. In Windows 98 and ME, click the Device Manager tab.

Click the PLUS SIGN nex to Universal Serial Bus controllers. If one of the items listed has the word "enhanced," you have USB 2.0. If not then it is 1.1.