LaCie Skwarim
Helpful Information
User Manual
page 15
4. Helpful Information
4.1. Advice For Optimizing USB 2.0
Connections
The following technical information relates to your LaCie Drive and
gives some practical advice:
4.1.1. What is USB 2.0?
The new USB 2.0 standard provides higher bandwidth for high
speed peripherals such as external hard drives, highspeed scanners
and CDRW drives. USB 2.0 delivers transfer rates up to 480Mbits/s,
while conveniently maintaining backward compatibility with USB 1.1
devices.
USB 2.0 can still be used to connect lowerspeed USB 1.1 ports and
devices like digital cameras, scanners, modems, keyboards, mice,
joysticks and printers. In the USB 2.0 system, existing USB periph
erals do not have to be upgraded, and lowerspeed devices will
not require additional performance, instead operating as USB 1.1
devices.
4.1.2. USB Cables and Connectors
Your LaCie drive is shipped with a USB 2.0certified USB cable, to
ensure maximum data transfer performance when con nected to a
USB 2.0 port. The cable will also work when connected to a USB 1.1
port, but drive performance will be limited to USB 1.1 transfer rates.
There are also different types of USB connections, such as the mini
cable and device end. Make sure that you have the cor rect type of
connection on computer. Consult LaCie Customer Support or your
LaCie reseller for more information.
4.1.3. USB 2.0 Host Bus Adapters and
Performance
To utilize the newlyenhanced USB 2.0 performances, your com
puter 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 2.0 drivers 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
