Number 195 - August 1999
USB Support
from column by Patrick Marshall, June 20, 1999 Seattle Times
    Q. I am considering replacing my flatbed scanner with a new one. I am considering one that uses a USB connection. I have, however, read different assessments of Windows 95's ability to handle this technology. My motherboard has USB. Do you have any suggestions?   johnmil@whidbey.net

   A. Support for the Universal Serial Bus--which allows faster, more flexible hardware connections--was introduced with Windows 95 OSR2.1. There were some bugs in the system, however, and patches are required for some users of that version. USB is also supported by Windows 98.

    If your version of Windows 95 doesn't support USB, I'd recommend upgrading to Windows 98, since the convenience of USB is well worth the price and you'll find a lot of other enhnacements, including more stability and better memory management.

TOGGLE Ed. Note:
    To check whether or not your system is USB-capable, checkout the program USBREADY.EXE offered at the June 1999 meeting. It was described in the July newsletter as follows:
    USBREADY.EXE - Intel distributes this program for users to check their systems for readiness for use of USB connectivity. The program checks
    1) system software (OS support);
    2) system hardware support;
    3) USB driver support.
    The program bears an Intel copyright.
 
    There are several websites where you can research USB products which will allow you to add USB-connectivity to your computer. For example, if you have just one USB port, you can increase the number of ports available by connecting a multi-port "hub" to your single USB port. There are several hub configurations which may provide 2, 4, 8, or more USB ports, allowing you to connect several USB-capable peripheral devices to your system. The beauty of this is that you use only one Interrupt Request (IRQ), instead of the several otherwise required with Serial and Parallel ports--and the attendant IRQ assignment conflicts.

    There is a site which is technolgy-and-standards-oriented rather than product-oriented where you can start your research namely: http://www.usb.org.

    If you are serious about adding USB connectivity to your machine, you should run USBREADY to find out what hardware you need to add, and also check such sites as Intel, Computer Shopper, maybe ZD.net and some of the connector suppliers who manufacture the hubs and PC Cards containing USB ports.

    We have USBREADY.EXE in our library. To obtain a copy, see TOG Librarian Tom or Dave Stepanek at the next meeting.
  Number 195 - August 1999