USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (Full Version)

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womble -> USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 9:28:47)

I recently invested in a couple of 2gig USB flash drives for backing up stuff from my laptop onto my PC. I'd been using a 1gig drive, but with increasing numbers of files on my laptop I was having to make multiple trips across the room with a selection of files, copying them onto the flash drive, then deleting the contents of the flash drive, copying more files from the laptop, transferring onto the PC, etc. etc. (I never did manage to get my wireless network set up probably so in the end settled for the transferring on a flash drive thing). Copying the contents of my 'workarea' folder and subfolders (just under 2gb) onto the new flash drive took around 3 hours last night, which seemed an awfully long time, and I was hoping I wouldn't have the same wait copying them over to the PC. Plugged the flash drive into the PC though, and it copied everything over in around 5 minutes!

The laptop's only about a year old (a Dell Inspiron 1300) and has 3 USB ports built in. My first thought was that the USB ports on the laptop must be 1.1 and USB2 on the PC (would that seem logical?). Ferreting around in the control panel and looking at the hardware configurations though I couldn't see anything on the laptop at least in a language I could understand that said what they were, but the device manager bit said they were working okay. How would I find out if the USB ports on the laptop are 1.1 (if indeed that is the problem), and is there any way I could upgrade them?

Secondly, for backups I use the inbuilt 'Backup' utility in Win XP and back up everything onto an external hard drive. I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Windoze 'backup' isn't very reliable. Is there an alternative, or an alternative setup that would be better?



treetopsranch -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 16:02:13)

Windows® 2000/XP

Right-click the My Computer icon and select Manage.

Note: Windows XP users may need to click Start to access the My Computer icon.


Click the Device Manager icon.


Click the plus (+) sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

Note: If Universal Serial Bus Controllers is not listed, there is a problem with the USB controller or the USB controller is not enabled in the computer's BIOS. Please contact the computer or card manufacturer for updated drivers and/or for information on how to fix or enable the USB controller.


If Enhanced Host Controller and/or USB 2.0 Root Hub Device is listed, then the computer has USB 2.0 ports.


If Universal Host Controller and/or Open Host Controller is listed, then the computer has USB 1.1 ports.



Kitka -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 16:57:14)

quote:

I never did manage to get my wireless network set up probably


Why not invest in a crossover cable and simply network the two computers? Or, if your modem is a router-modem with more than one port, a plain network cable would do the job. You could plug/unplug it only when you need it, so you don't have cables strung across the room permanently.

quote:

Is there an alternative


I use Acronis True Image - it is a very good backup program. Once you have done a complete image of a drive, incremental backups can be made which is much quicker.



womble -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 17:27:13)

Thanks Don. I got as far as checking out the device manager, but couldn't figure out what it all meant - it looks as though I've got 5 USB ports, which is odd, because there's definitely only 3. Four seem to be listed as 'Universal Host Controller', and one as 'Enhanced Host Controller' (I've attached a screenshot of the window). Not sure what to make of that (as you may have guessed, I'm not too hot on the finer points of hardware).

On the networking side of things Kitka, I never did manage to get the wired connection sorted out either - the PC and the laptop seem to be able to see each other, but that's as far as it goes...I'll have a look at Acronis True Image though.

[image]local://upfiles/14943/D7D0C437CB2E48539484DF8391989DA8.gif[/image]



Kitka -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 17:45:50)

quote:

the PC and the laptop seem to be able to see each other, but that's as far as it goes


That is usually the hardest part. Did you get any assistance to try to get it working? Perhaps if we knew what errors you are getting we might be able to help.



womble -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 18:12:38)


quote:

Did you get any assistance to try to get it working?

Not really apart from wandering around on the internet in vain trying to figure out where I was going wrong. After three days trying to figure it all out I just hooked up an ethernet cable to my router, hid it under the sofabed so I don't trip over it, and plugged in the laptop so I can at least get online with the laptop. It's about a year ago now and I can't remember what error messages I was getting.

I do have a friend who's pretty good with networking and stuff, so I may have to buy him a few beers and get him round to have a look.



Kitka -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 18:55:37)

quote:

I may have to buy him a few beers and get him round to have a look


Sounds like a good plan. If you get the networking sorted, you won't have to worry about the USB issue.



womble -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 19:04:24)

True. And he owes me a big favour as I'm doing some free web work for him. I'll just have to make sure he doesn't consume the beers first or the results could be interesting! [:D]

I've also been looking into the backup issue and the various software out there. Acronis True Image looks quite good, and I've been looking at other similar software. Looking at all the stuff about the different backup softwares, I'm not sure I need the OS and apps and everything backing up (though I do need to do a check of what I've got installed on each machine and check where my backup disks and licence keys etc. are - they're safely stashed in a number of different safe places at the moment and I need to get them all together). It seems that option would require me getting two licences, one for each machine (they've both got different software and stuff installed on them), and another external HDD for backing up the laptop separately - which altogether would cost me mega £££'s, so...

...I've been looking at online backup options, and Carbonite looks okay. Anyone had any experience of online backup services? Opinions?



Kitka -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 19:45:08)

quote:

It seems that option would require me getting two licences, one for each machine (they've both got different software and stuff installed on them), and another external HDD for backing up the laptop separately - which altogether would cost me mega £££'s


If you bought the Workstation version of True Image, it costs less than 2 licences for the Home version - US$80 versus US$100. Then you can backup across the network (when you get it working) to a single HDD.

I have a removable (mobile) HDD rack mounted in my tower rather than having an external HDD. Once a backup has been made it can easily be pulled out and put in a safe or wherever you like.

However, I agree it is a lot of money, and everyone has to pick their own solution, which balances affordabilty with security and ease of use.



Larry M. -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 19:53:51)

quote:

I use Acronis True Image - it is a very good backup program


Kitka, Womble:

Ah yes, but have you tried to Restore with Acronis? I can pass on a couple of tips unless you feel bullet-proof.



Kitka -> RE: USB 1.1 ports on laptop and backups (1/6/2007 20:01:15)

quote:

have you tried to Restore with Acronis


Personally, no. But have been able to extract individual files from an image, and my colleague has done restores for a couple of clients.

quote:

I can pass on a couple of tips unless you feel bullet-proof.


I'd love to hear them. I never feel bulletproof around computers. They would have to be the most unpredicatable and frustrating machines ever invented!



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