Why is it that when I transfer files from an external hard drive to my laptop's hard drive via USB 2.0, the speeds are so much faster than transferring files from one external hard drive to another (5 mins vs. a few hours for 1.5 GB)? I think it might have to do with the fact that the external drives use different file systems (NTFS vs. FAT32). Is there any software that could speed things up?
posted by matkline on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

If you were going to bring a USB drive to repair a bunch of workstations, what are some of the latest Windows XP/Vista repair utilities that you would put on it? [more inside]
posted by purephase on Jun 3, 2009 - 7 answers

My PC can't read my SD card. What gives? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Mar 31, 2009 - 7 answers

How can I change the generic name "USB Mass Storage Device" in my Vista system tray "Safely Remove Hardware" dialog? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer on Dec 30, 2008 - 6 answers

Help me get a Memorex USB TravelDrive to work once again with my Dell Laptop! [more inside]
posted by jazon on Oct 27, 2008 - 5 answers

Computer (XP SP2) won't recognize any usb drives, but will recognize my usb mouse? [more inside]
posted by imposster on Sep 19, 2008 - 3 answers

I am having problems making a persistent installation of Ubuntu on a usb thumb drive. [more inside]
posted by tip120 on Jul 22, 2008 - 3 answers

The kitchen computer has a little trackpad/keyboard combo that sits atop of the microwave. When the microwave turns on, the trackpad stops working. Looking for suggestions on shielding, putting a filter in line with the cable, grounding, anything to help me cook and mouse at the same time. [more inside]
posted by sol on Jun 28, 2008 - 5 answers

What's the best USB controller to use when emulating old games on my PC? [more inside]
posted by theiconoclast31 on Jun 21, 2008 - 13 answers

What is the highest memory storage capacity for USB portable Flash drive in the market right now? [more inside]
posted by omaralarifi on Jun 18, 2008 - 4 answers

I'm interested in a fast, high-capacity (at least 4GB) usb flash drive. Does anyone have any suggestions? Speed and reliability are important.
posted by cahlers on Mar 18, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm trying to simplify my computer wiring situation, and could use some strategic advice. I have a bunch of devices, and 3 machines. How can 2 (or preferably all 3) machines share all the peripherals? My little KVM doesn't quite cut it. [more inside]
posted by swift on Feb 8, 2008 - 13 answers

How do I stop the annoying "This device can operate faster" query when I plug a USB 2 thumb drive into a USB 1.1 port (which is all my computer has)?
posted by KRS on Jan 29, 2008 - 7 answers

Making DOS program get along with new Windows XP machine and ancient printer: How to change the name of the printer port from USB001 to LPT1? [more inside]
posted by chitlin on Dec 20, 2007 - 3 answers

Audiophile/Gift Filter: Please help me figure out what USB turntable I should get. [more inside]
posted by Lucinda on Dec 12, 2007 - 11 answers

Is my USB hard drive recoverable? Due to some bad wiring on my part, one of my USB ports rendered my external hard drive useless. [more inside]
posted by adverb on Sep 14, 2007 - 6 answers

My scanner fried my motherboard, was this to be expected? Can it be prevented? Do I assume the scanner is dead too? [more inside]
posted by chrisbucks on Aug 7, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm about to come into a good amount of money. I want to ENHANCE my computing experience with gadgets abound. Help! [more inside]
posted by Lockeownzj00 on Jul 12, 2007 - 27 answers

My camcorder uses firewire, no USB port. My computer has USB slots, but no firewire. Best solution?
posted by Pater Aletheias on Jun 1, 2007 - 10 answers

My Dell Inspiron 5100 (XP, SP2) notebook has stopped recognizing my external hard drive. I get an error message that says "This device cannot start. (Code 10)." Googling says that I need to uninstall and reinstall the drivers, which I've done. However, after reinstalling the driver and plugging the hard drive back in, I get an error message saying that the device did not install correctly. What am I doing wrong? What can I do to get the computer to recognize my hard drive again?
posted by whatideserve on Feb 18, 2007 - 6 answers

OSXFilter: Because AskMeFi is where all the coolest Mac nerds hang... On my iMac 24", USB thumb drives and memory cards are failing when copying files. The specific symptom is that the file transfer will hang, and the only way to recover is to manually remove the device from the port. [more inside]
posted by baltimore on Jan 3, 2007 - 15 answers

Why won't "Instant Wireless Compact USB Adapter Configuration Utility" uninstall, and why does it seem to take up 14.2GB of my hard drive? [more inside]
posted by billtron on Nov 8, 2006 - 6 answers

Is there any advantage to running portable applications rather than their normal equivalents from your hard drive? [more inside]
posted by tnoetz01 on Jul 16, 2006 - 11 answers

Upgrading (hacking) a 40 GB Maxtor 3000LE USB external drive? [more inside]
posted by mojohand on Apr 7, 2006 - 5 answers

Any way to gain access to a win XP box through a forced remote desktop (or another method?). Or even a network install (though that'd be hard, I don't dare lose anything on the HDD) of Linux? Oh, and I don't have a monitor (that's the root of the problem) [more inside]
posted by TrueVox on Feb 23, 2006 - 10 answers

Mystery cable claims to connect USB and firewire. What does it really do? [more inside]
posted by tangerine on Jan 30, 2006 - 14 answers

What's the deal with USB cables? They're supposed to be "universal", but every time I get a new device (or buy a new cable at the store), I end up with a different kind of plug or receptacle. The only cable I can use with my digital camera is the one that came with it -- I've never found another with the same tiny plug on one end. Now my MP3 player requires yet another type of tiny plug. I left the cable that came with it at work, thinking I could surely use one of the various USB cable types I had at home. None of them fit! [more inside]
posted by Artifice_Eternity on Dec 19, 2005 - 29 answers

Do you know about any good looking computer cables? [more inside]
posted by ouke on Oct 20, 2005 - 7 answers

An iPod question that has me stumped. I have an old firewire only iPod (2nd generation). I would like to sync it to a Windows computer that has an absolute lack to slots for a PCI card, but has four open usb 2 slots. I cannot find any sort of converter. Does anyone know if such a thing exists? They seem so similar.
posted by rtimmel on Mar 18, 2005 - 5 answers

Can anyone recommend a Windows XP utility that lists details of what's plugged into my USB devices? I need more info than what Device Manager tells me, but don't need the full USB device developer suites I find searching the web.
posted by Nelson on Feb 13, 2005 - 2 answers