Looking for an affordable ($100) USB amplifier. [more inside]
posted by primer_dimer on Dec 16, 2009 - 13 answers

Which current USB flatbed scanner works under Linux? [more inside]
posted by phliar on Dec 15, 2009 - 7 answers

What is a good, working surround sound USB adapter for a Mac mini in a home theatre setup, which uses a TOSLINK connector? [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Dec 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Why is my USB mouse the last item to load when Windows 7 is finished booting up? Sometimes I have to wait while it recognizes external USB drives, and in the meantime, I have no control over my mouse. Is there a way to change the order which my USB devices load? [more inside]
posted by newfers on Dec 8, 2009 - 7 answers

is there software or a trick to shut down my computer after an ipod finishes charging? [more inside]
posted by pennstatephil on Dec 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Which app is best for dragging and dropping Word/PDF files from my laptop to get them on my iPhone so I can email them to my office? [more inside]
posted by ShadePlant on Dec 4, 2009 - 18 answers

Please help me find a router to make my parents' lives easier. I am looking for a wireless router that will allow me to connect to a printer and an external hard drive via USB. It doesn’t need to be wireless N (G is fine), but if it’s N it needs to be dual-band. Other than the Apple Airport Extreme with a USB hub attached, what wireless routers can do this? The models from Linksys with Storage Link and D-Link with Shareport seem to be able to connect to either a printer or a USB drive, but not both simultaneously. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Dasein on Dec 3, 2009 - 9 answers

Transferring lots of files quickly to USB sticks? [more inside]
posted by tmcw on Dec 3, 2009 - 25 answers

Dual-bay SATA Enclosures! Which ones let me copy from one drive to the other on a Mac? [more inside]
posted by sdis on Nov 28, 2009 - 3 answers

Please hope me: my Linux machine cannot boot when my external drive is connected: it can't get past POST tests when USB legacy is enabled, but it also can't mount the drive when USB legacy is _not_ enabled. :( [more inside]
posted by xmutex on Nov 21, 2009 - 12 answers

Got a new computer and it only has USB hookups, no ps2 hookups for a keyboard or mouse. No problem, I already had a USB mouse and it came with a USB keyboard (whatever generic one Dell ships). But I really liked my old keyboard which had a ps2 connector. So, I got a couple of ps2/usb adaptors figuring that would solve my problem. It didn't. The computer didn't recognize the keyboard when it was plugged in. Why? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah on Nov 10, 2009 - 12 answers

how do i save a mix of songs on a usb stick in order? [more inside]
posted by anya32 on Nov 4, 2009 - 8 answers

Did I just brick this computer? [more inside]
posted by flabdablet on Nov 2, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm trying to get my old files off of an old Hard-disk. Old PC is XP newer PC is Vista. I removed the Hardisk from the OLD computer. I bought a USB to SATA/IDE cable. When I plug in the Hard-disk via USB, I hear the confirmation tone that you hear everytime you plug in a USB. I see a "ST340082 0AS SCSI Disk Device" in the "Safely remove hardware" icon in the tray. but I do not see the Drive. I can't really afford an External Hard drive. But I will eventually if I have to. Cna anyone help me please.
posted by Student of Man on Oct 27, 2009 - 12 answers

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

Are there any hard drive enclosures for 3.5" form HDs that can be powered off a USB port alone? (ie, without additional AC plug) [more inside]
posted by chefscotticus on Oct 17, 2009 - 9 answers

Can my usb-using MP3 player be saved? [more inside]
posted by Inner Universe on Oct 16, 2009 - 4 answers

Any suggestions on an emergency boot tool that can see my hard drive? [more inside]
posted by Wong Fei-hung on Oct 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Why are my netbook's USB 2.0 ports running at 1.1 speed under XP Pro, and what can I do to fix this? [more inside]
posted by yggdrasil on Oct 3, 2009 - 7 answers

Where would you go to get a cheap iPhone/iPod wall charger and/or USB cable? [more inside]
posted by gensubuser on Oct 2, 2009 - 8 answers

Which 3G USB key/stick thingy should my Mom buy if she wants to be able to use it in Australia and the US? She'll probably want a prepaid solution in both countries rather than a plan.
posted by obiwanwasabi on Sep 14, 2009 - 7 answers

If you're able to run Ableton with very low ASIO latency AND have a USB wifi dongle AND can run both simultaneously AND run Windows XP, please tell me what wifi dongle you have. [more inside]
posted by Moistener on Sep 13, 2009 - 8 answers

What USB serial port works on (32-bit) Windows 7? [more inside]
posted by 0xFCAF on Sep 8, 2009 - 6 answers

About six months ago, I saw a cool device. You could plug your AT&T USB 3G "laptop connect" into it, and it would generate a local wi-fi hotspot (similar to the Verizon MiFi). I've since purchased the AT&T card, but I can't find the device anywhere. Was I imagining things? Does such a device exist? It'd be very, very useful. Thanks!
posted by mickmel on Aug 28, 2009 - 6 answers

My Maxtor Basics 1 terabyte external USB 2.0 drive no longer mounts. I have been through all the usual stuff with tech support (including disk management and device management) and I've tried it on multiple computers. Although the green light comes on when it's plugged into USB, apart from that it's not talking to the computer. There has been no strange noise, clicking, smoke or smell. Maxtor tech support say it's a failed drive. A data recovery company I phoned said it's probably damaged firmware but the data on the disk is probably safe. I'm nervous about sending it to a data recovery company because I seem to be looking at about GBP £179 minimum or maybe many, many hundreds more. Is it likely to be a matter of simply soldering something here or replacing something there, ie a job that I could take to a local geek? Or should I be looking to take this to a major data recovery centre? I'm in London, UK.
posted by skylar on Aug 26, 2009 - 7 answers

USB Drives in the sensitive data workplace. Should they be banned, audited or ignored. What is the best way and how to do it? [more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Aug 25, 2009 - 22 answers

USB + SDHC * 4 == Win [more inside]
posted by Chocolate Pickle on Aug 20, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm video recording a long event through software on my Mac, and am using a USB-connected Panasonic camcorder. Since I'll need an external drive for the files, should I choose a USB disk or Firewire disk, or does it matter? [more inside]
posted by j-dawg on Aug 20, 2009 - 6 answers

How can I strip a USB cable? [more inside]
posted by pwnguin on Aug 1, 2009 - 15 answers

Did my fiance's computer bork my thumb drive, and what can I do to get my data back? [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi on Jul 29, 2009 - 11 answers

I am trying to recover data from a WD3200ME-01, a WD 320GB USB-powered drive but the physical drive does not have SATA or IDE connection - only a mini USB connection soldered to the circuit board - and the drive is not recognized via USB anymore. [more inside]
posted by dozo on Jul 16, 2009 - 9 answers

iPhone 3G doesn't mount as a camera any more (contains list of things already tried) [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel on Jul 9, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I get a 12v fan to run off of a USB port? Alternately, how can I make my laptop not overheat and die? [more inside]
posted by Chionophilia on Jul 9, 2009 - 10 answers

I need to get my external hard disks and my multifunction printer off my desk. I have a mac. I have a multi-function printer. I have 3 external hard disks. I scan lots of things. I print stuff. I run time machine. Help me move my USB peripherals to the other side of the room. [more inside]
posted by shew on Jun 29, 2009 - 11 answers

This is something that's been bugging me for a while.... Given a USB port and an LED (perhaps more components required?), and a program running on the PC, how do you get from here, to the simplest case I can think of - making a line of code flip the state of an LED? Either a practical example, or some recommendations for topics that would drag me in the right direction. [more inside]
posted by BishopsLoveScifi on Jun 25, 2009 - 12 answers

Home networking: sharing 3G connection on XP... [more inside]
posted by hungrysquirrels on Jun 25, 2009 - 8 answers

I have a USB VOIP phone in my possession that does not have any brand or identifying markings on it. Here is a picture of the phone. Can anyone help me identify it? [more inside]
posted by Bard09 on Jun 19, 2009 - 7 answers

Is there a way to automatically back up certain folders on my hard drive to a USB key every time a plug in that key? [more inside]
posted by modernnomad on Jun 16, 2009 - 10 answers

I've just upgraded a G5 tower from 10.2.x to 10.5.7. The upgrade went off without a hitch... but... i do have a problem using my Logitech USB 350 headset with the system now. When making a call with Skype, for example, the headset will typically work for a while (several minutes) before suddenly throwing out massive amounts of horrible noise via the mike channel. When this happens, I can hear the other side of the conversation just fine, they however can't hear anything except an aneurysm-inducing noise. If I hang-up and restart the connection, the game repeats. Sometime the noise sets in sooner, sometimes later - however, it always sets in. Facts: 1.) This headset worked without a hitch before the upgrade (from 10.2.x). 2.) Audio settings on a system level and within Skype are correct. Does anyone have any clue as to what is going on and what might remedy the situation?
posted by oxidizer on Jun 10, 2009 - 5 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

Does software exist which will allow me to use my PC's DVD drive as an external USB drive for my netbook? [more inside]
posted by whir on May 20, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm looking for a replacement for an odd sort of cable--mini-usb on one end, regular USB and 3.5mm audio on the other. Anyone know of a source? [more inside]
posted by aerotive on May 13, 2009 - 4 answers

I have a last generation mac mini and would like to use a cintiq 12WX with it. Would a ViBook USB adapter help me accomplish this? [more inside]
posted by austinlee on May 13, 2009 - 2 answers

How do I set up a computer to automatically copy files to any flash drive when it is plugged into the USB port? [more inside]
posted by dcams on Apr 29, 2009 - 5 answers

Why do cars have such vast wiring looms...? [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Apr 29, 2009 - 14 answers

Why can't I boot my computer (even past BIOS) with a USB hard drive attached? [more inside]
posted by xmutex on Apr 27, 2009 - 11 answers

Insufficient permissions error preventing copying files to NAS USB dongle based server from OS X machine [more inside]
posted by spyke23 on Apr 20, 2009 - 2 answers

I'm hoping to use a portable harddrive with a USB storage device (Digital Audio Player, as it turns out) without a computer in between. Does such a product exist? Preferably at a non-exorbitant price? [more inside]
posted by JMOZ on Apr 7, 2009 - 14 answers

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

I have a cordless mouse for use with my laptop. Last week my toddler yanked the mini-receiver out of the USB port and managed to completely destroy it in a matter of seconds. Is it possible to replace just this receiver, or do I need to toss the whole thing out and spend another $25.00 on a cordless mouse? (Its a logtech mouse.)
posted by anastasiav on Mar 24, 2009 - 5 answers