Question re USB features on win98se PC

On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:43:10 +1000, "Jason James" put
finger to keyboard and composed:

I have just one more question re the USB facilities on my 98se PC.

After I successfully plugged a new KB into 1 of 2 USB ports on the rear
panel, (initially I thought there was only one) I was looking at some cheap
printer/scanners etc for $69. But like
all peripherals these days they are USB. I understand that a converter
adapter may get me back into the parallel port,..

Not long ago I bought a new Brother HL2040 monochrome laser printer
with parallel and USB interfaces (AU$88) which installed flawlessly on
an old 486/Win95 box.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Gary,
The printer is a Hewlett Packard PSC 1410v (Printer/Scanner/Copier) and all
funtions work.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

What model HP printer do you have?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"dlsayremn" wrote in message
...
Jason,

My Gateway 98SE has only two USB ports on the back. On one I have a 4
port
adaptor with Boston USB speakers and USB KB with USB mouse. The other I
have
a 4 port adaptor with USR wireless adaptor and USB connector for a 3 year
old
HP 1410v PSC. This works.

Ron is right about support for 98 at HP, not sure about any one else. I
went
to get updated drivers for my printer and could not access any updates
for
ME/98SE/98 even though they were listed and I was able to get them 2
months
ago. So be sure to check the box to see if the printer you buy will work
with
98SE.

DLSayre



"Jason James" wrote:

I have just one more question re the USB facilities on my 98se PC.

After I successfully plugged a new KB into 1 of 2 USB ports on the rear
panel, (initially I thought there was only one) I was looking at some
cheap
printer/scanners etc for $69. But like
all peripherals these days they are USB. I understand that a converter
adapter may get me back into the parallel port,..but before that decision
I
had a look at "System Properties" then "Device manager" then opened 3
headings under "USB Controllers"

1st Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USBUniversal Host Controller (exists in all
hardware profiles)

2nd USB Composite Device (exists in all hardware profiles)

3rd USB Root hub (exists in all hardware profiles)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Does this info indicate anything meaningfull about the 2 USB ports on the
PC, in particular whether a printer can be connected to second USB, or
whether a piggy back to the 1st (which currently has the KB).

TIA,..Jason

Jason

Right, but he can get a (slightly) older one that does.
I'm using the HP Laserjet 1018, and deliberately selected that one over the
newer HP Laserjet 1020 for that reason - I can use it with either my WinXP
OR my Win98SE computer (which has a USB 2.0 PCI card inside, too). (I
don't have any real need for InkJets (and having to replace those cartridges
all the time), so at least that was a non-issue for me).


Ron Badour wrote:
You are probably not going to find any new printers that have W98SE
drivers.
For example, see this HP article:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=441125&dlc=en

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"Jason James" wrote in message
...
I have just one more question re the USB facilities on my 98se PC.

After I successfully plugged a new KB into 1 of 2 USB ports on the rear
panel, (initially I thought there was only one) I was looking at some
cheap
printer/scanners etc for $69. But like
all peripherals these days they are USB. I understand that a converter
adapter may get me back into the parallel port,..but before that decision
I had a look at "System Properties" then "Device manager" then opened 3
headings under "USB Controllers"

1st Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USBUniversal Host Controller (exists in all
hardware profiles)

2nd USB Composite Device (exists in all hardware profiles)

3rd USB Root hub (exists in all hardware profiles)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Does this info indicate anything meaningfull about the 2 USB ports on the
PC, in particular whether a printer can be connected to second USB, or
whether a piggy back to the 1st (which currently has the KB).

TIA,..Jason

Jason

Sorry, that was a senior moment. Never mind.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"dlsayremn" wrote in message
...
Gary,
The printer is a Hewlett Packard PSC 1410v (Printer/Scanner/Copier) and
all
funtions work.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

What model HP printer do you have?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"dlsayremn" wrote in message
...
Jason,

My Gateway 98SE has only two USB ports on the back. On one I have a 4
port
adaptor with Boston USB speakers and USB KB with USB mouse. The other I
have
a 4 port adaptor with USR wireless adaptor and USB connector for a 3
year
old
HP 1410v PSC. This works.

Ron is right about support for 98 at HP, not sure about any one else. I
went
to get updated drivers for my printer and could not access any updates
for
ME/98SE/98 even though they were listed and I was able to get them 2
months
ago. So be sure to check the box to see if the printer you buy will
work
with
98SE.

DLSayre



"Jason James" wrote:

I have just one more question re the USB facilities on my 98se PC.

After I successfully plugged a new KB into 1 of 2 USB ports on the
rear
panel, (initially I thought there was only one) I was looking at some
cheap
printer/scanners etc for $69. But like
all peripherals these days they are USB. I understand that a converter
adapter may get me back into the parallel port,..but before that
decision
I
had a look at "System Properties" then "Device manager" then opened 3
headings under "USB Controllers"

1st Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USBUniversal Host Controller (exists in
all
hardware profiles)

2nd USB Composite Device (exists in all hardware profiles)

3rd USB Root hub (exists in all hardware profiles)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Does this info indicate anything meaningfull about the 2 USB ports on
the
PC, in particular whether a printer can be connected to second USB, or
whether a piggy back to the 1st (which currently has the KB).

TIA,..Jason

Jason

The point is, no matter what printer you have, if your OS is older than XP,
you'd better be making sure you have all your drivers on hand and backed up
twice, because finding them on the internet will be more and more difficult,
or even impossible. Right now, it's HP, but the others are sure to follow.
For instance, I bet you can't find anywhere to download 9x drivers for your
new printer. Make three copies of whatever drivers you have for that thing,
put one in your usual library, tape one to the side of the 98 computer (or
inside the case) and put one in your safe deposit box, because that printer
is liable to outlive you and your heir might turn out to be a "98
enthusiast".

I took apart the new installer for the Deskjet 5400 series and while I could
avoid installing most of the software and just "bare install" the thing to
XP, no can do for 9x systems.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"Bill in Co." wrote in message
...
Right, but he can get a (slightly) older one that does.
I'm using the HP Laserjet 1018, and deliberately selected that one over
the newer HP Laserjet 1020 for that reason - I can use it with either my
WinXP OR my Win98SE computer (which has a USB 2.0 PCI card inside, too).
(I don't have any real need for InkJets (and having to replace those
cartridges all the time), so at least that was a non-issue for me).


Ron Badour wrote:
You are probably not going to find any new printers that have W98SE
drivers.
For example, see this HP article:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=441125&dlc=en

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"Jason James" wrote in message
...
I have just one more question re the USB facilities on my 98se PC.

After I successfully plugged a new KB into 1 of 2 USB ports on the rear
panel, (initially I thought there was only one) I was looking at some
cheap
printer/scanners etc for $69. But like
all peripherals these days they are USB. I understand that a converter
adapter may get me back into the parallel port,..but before that
decision
I had a look at "System Properties" then "Device manager" then opened 3
headings under "USB Controllers"

1st Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USBUniversal Host Controller (exists in all
hardware profiles)

2nd USB Composite Device (exists in all hardware profiles)

3rd USB Root hub (exists in all hardware profiles)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Does this info indicate anything meaningfull about the 2 USB ports on
the
PC, in particular whether a printer can be connected to second USB, or
whether a piggy back to the 1st (which currently has the KB).

TIA,..Jason

Jason

On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:37 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

What you see in Device manager is what you'd see for that double-port, to
answer one of your questions. The first device is the USB controller on the
motherboard, the second item is the part keyboard itself, the Hub it the
unit that is connected to and mounted right on the mobo in this case. The
hub has two ports.

As for printers... Those USB ports on your machine are almost certainly USB
1.1 and that means slow. Since things like printers have gotten used to
straight network connection or fast USB2, even with an Parallel port
adapter, and assuming there are even drivers for your system, they aren't
likely to work well if at all.

That's not my experience. I am currently using a Canon iP3000 on a Dell
Latitude CPi laptop (P2-300) with USB1.1 port, and there are neither dramas nor
perceptible bottlenecks.

"who where" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:37 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

What you see in Device manager is what you'd see for that double-port, to
answer one of your questions. The first device is the USB controller on
the
motherboard, the second item is the part keyboard itself, the Hub it the
unit that is connected to and mounted right on the mobo in this case. The
hub has two ports.

As for printers... Those USB ports on your machine are almost certainly
USB
1.1 and that means slow. Since things like printers have gotten used to
straight network connection or fast USB2, even with an Parallel port
adapter, and assuming there are even drivers for your system, they aren't
likely to work well if at all.

That's not my experience. I am currently using a Canon iP3000 on a Dell
Latitude CPi laptop (P2-300) with USB1.1 port, and there are neither
dramas nor
perceptible bottlenecks.

No, it's just slow all around. Drama comes when one part is slow and the
other part expects fast. If you'll check that model's specs, though, it says
nothing about USB2, and if it were a USB2 capable machine, it would say so.
(If you don't believe that, check out the specs for newer models in the same
line at Canon.com, say the IP3500.) IOW, your printer was built for USB1.1.
It was also relatively expensive, from what I can discern. That IP3500 is
more in line with what the OP says he's looking at -- CHEAP printers.

In any case, I wasn't stating a rule, just a generality for which you have
provided an excellent exception. Too bad you can't buy them anymore.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

But a somewhat related question might be:
For a printer, though, how much difference does it make if it uses USB 1.1
or USB 2.0? Just wondering - I would think a printer is so slow anyways,
it wouldn't matter (but that's just for a printer).

Gary S. Terhune wrote:
"who where" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:37 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

What you see in Device manager is what you'd see for that double-port,
to
answer one of your questions. The first device is the USB controller on
the
motherboard, the second item is the part keyboard itself, the Hub it the
unit that is connected to and mounted right on the mobo in this case.
The
hub has two ports.

As for printers... Those USB ports on your machine are almost certainly
USB 1.1 and that means slow. Since things like printers have gotten used
to
straight network connection or fast USB2, even with an Parallel port
adapter, and assuming there are even drivers for your system, they
aren't
likely to work well if at all.

That's not my experience. I am currently using a Canon iP3000 on a Dell
Latitude CPi laptop (P2-300) with USB1.1 port, and there are neither
dramas nor perceptible bottlenecks.

No, it's just slow all around. Drama comes when one part is slow and the
other part expects fast. If you'll check that model's specs, though, it
says
nothing about USB2, and if it were a USB2 capable machine, it would say
so.
(If you don't believe that, check out the specs for newer models in the
same
line at Canon.com, say the IP3500.) IOW, your printer was built for
USB1.1.
It was also relatively expensive, from what I can discern. That IP3500 is
more in line with what the OP says he's looking at -- CHEAP printers.

In any case, I wasn't stating a rule, just a generality for which you have
provided an excellent exception. Too bad you can't buy them anymore.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"Bill in Co." wrote in message
...
| But a somewhat related question might be:
| For a printer, though, how much difference does it make if it uses USB 1.1
| or USB 2.0? Just wondering - I would think a printer is so slow
anyways,
| it wouldn't matter (but that's just for a printer).

That seems like a viable comment. The printers own buffer/memory is used to
hold the materials on a first in first out basis, and is replaced everytime
a segment becomes free. Taken with the print spooler [which is the first
actual delay as the printer software converts doc/graphic code to printer
code and stores/preps it], the delay from a USB1.1 verses 2.0 would seem to
be negligable unless one had a super fast printer and/or perhaps a massively
intracate/high def or excessively large graphic print job or mixed *complex*
project, or a printer with limited memory. Then again, it appears the
printer manufactures are off-loading more of the printer's prior [hardware]
activities back upon the system.

I could see, however, a bottleneck in the USB if mutiple devices were being
used, at the same time, on the same base channel.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
_________

|
| Gary S. Terhune wrote:
| "who where" wrote in message
| ...
| On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:37 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:
|
| What you see in Device manager is what you'd see for that double-port,
| to
| answer one of your questions. The first device is the USB controller
on
| the
| motherboard, the second item is the part keyboard itself, the Hub it
the
| unit that is connected to and mounted right on the mobo in this case.
| The
| hub has two ports.
|
| As for printers... Those USB ports on your machine are almost
certainly
| USB 1.1 and that means slow. Since things like printers have gotten
used
| to
| straight network connection or fast USB2, even with an Parallel port
| adapter, and assuming there are even drivers for your system, they
| aren't
| likely to work well if at all.
|
| That's not my experience. I am currently using a Canon iP3000 on a
Dell
| Latitude CPi laptop (P2-300) with USB1.1 port, and there are neither
| dramas nor perceptible bottlenecks.
|
| No, it's just slow all around. Drama comes when one part is slow and the
| other part expects fast. If you'll check that model's specs, though, it
| says
| nothing about USB2, and if it were a USB2 capable machine, it would say
| so.
| (If you don't believe that, check out the specs for newer models in the
| same
| line at Canon.com, say the IP3500.) IOW, your printer was built for
| USB1.1.
| It was also relatively expensive, from what I can discern. That IP3500
is
| more in line with what the OP says he's looking at -- CHEAP printers.
|
| In any case, I wasn't stating a rule, just a generality for which you
have
| provided an excellent exception. Too bad you can't buy them anymore.
|
| --
| Gary S. Terhune
| MS-MVP Shell/User
| http://grystmill.com
|
|

I'm not going to try to explain it any further, because I'm just not that
technically indoctrinated in the subject and I'd make mistakes that others
would jump on. All I know is I've dealt with a lot of various printers,
inkjet and laser, of varying qualities, and where it was possible to compare
modes of communications (parallel, USB1.1, USB2, 10/100 (and even /1000)
network connections, when large files are involved, the differences are
quite noticeable. These days, large files make up a lot more of the home
user print usage than they used to due to their being images, not PT.

And if you think printers are slow these days, think again. To get the same
kinds of speeds and quality you can get today for $100 to $200, ten years
ago you'd be talking top of the line commercial products costing fifteen to
twenty times more. Much the same thing happens with MFPs and their scanners.
Higher quality scanning is possible, the difference in speeds of various
modes of communications is VERY noticeable.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"Bill in Co." wrote in message
...
But a somewhat related question might be:
For a printer, though, how much difference does it make if it uses USB 1.1
or USB 2.0? Just wondering - I would think a printer is so slow
anyways, it wouldn't matter (but that's just for a printer).

Gary S. Terhune wrote:
"who where" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:21:37 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:

What you see in Device manager is what you'd see for that double-port,
to
answer one of your questions. The first device is the USB controller on
the
motherboard, the second item is the part keyboard itself, the Hub it
the
unit that is connected to and mounted right on the mobo in this case.
The
hub has two ports.

As for printers... Those USB ports on your machine are almost certainly
USB 1.1 and that means slow. Since things like printers have gotten
used to
straight network connection or fast USB2, even with an Parallel port
adapter, and assuming there are even drivers for your system, they
aren't
likely to work well if at all.

That's not my experience. I am currently using a Canon iP3000 on a Dell
Latitude CPi laptop (P2-300) with USB1.1 port, and there are neither
dramas nor perceptible bottlenecks.

No, it's just slow all around. Drama comes when one part is slow and the
other part expects fast. If you'll check that model's specs, though, it
says
nothing about USB2, and if it were a USB2 capable machine, it would say
so.
(If you don't believe that, check out the specs for newer models in the
same
line at Canon.com, say the IP3500.) IOW, your printer was built for
USB1.1.
It was also relatively expensive, from what I can discern. That IP3500 is
more in line with what the OP says he's looking at -- CHEAP printers.

In any case, I wasn't stating a rule, just a generality for which you
have
provided an excellent exception. Too bad you can't buy them anymore.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com