Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
USB 2.0 drivers were not provided with the initial launch of Windows XP but were sup-
pliedwithServicePack1andlaterupdates.Ofcourse,WindowsVistaand7nativelysup-
port the USB 2.0 standard. Individual USB devices might also include their own drivers,
which might need to be installed separately.
Windows 7 did not ship with USB 3.0 drivers included, nor were any included with Ser-
vicePack1.However,MicrosofthasindicateditwilladdUSB3.0supportina“postWin-
dows 7 deliverable,” which most likely means a post-SP1 update or service pack. Until
then, simply installing the driver for the USB 3.0 controller in the system enables Win-
dows to use the device.
USB support is also required in the basic input/output system (BIOS) for devices such as
keyboards and mice. This is included in all systems with USB ports built in. Aftermar-
ket PC Cards and ExpressCards are available for adding USB to older systems that don't
include it as standard. USB peripherals include printers, external storage, modems, scan-
ners, VOIP telephones, game controllers, keyboards, and pointing devices such as mice
and trackballs.
USB Adapters
If you still have a variety of older peripherals and yet you want to take advantage of the
USB connector on your motherboard, a number of signal converters or adapters are avail-
able. Companies suchasBelkin andotherscurrently haveadapters inthefollowing types:
• USB to parallel (printer)
• USB to serial
• USB to Ethernet
• USB to Wireless Ethernet
• USB to keyboard/mouse
• USB to Audio
• USB to TV/video
These adapters normally look just like a cable, with a USB connector at one end (which
you plug into your USB port) and various other interface connectors at the other end.
Thereismoretothesedevices thanjustacable: Active electronics arehiddeninamodule
along the cable or are sometimes packed into one of the cable ends. The electronics are
powered by the USB bus and convert the signals to the appropriate other interface. Some
drawbacks do exist for these adapters. For example, USB-to-serial converters don't al-
ways work with specialized devices that require a real serial port. Before purchasing one
of these adapters, ensure that it will work with the device or devices you have in mind. If
you need to use more than one non-USB device with your system, consider special USB
