How to ID USB 2 ports

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I have a Dell desktop computer running Window XP Pro. When I installed a webcam, (a Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000) and connected it to a powered USB hub the lower half of the picture displayed by the Webcam flickered. None of the webcam settings corrected this problem. I then plugged the webcam into one of the USB ports on the front of the computer, the flicker disappeared.

The instructions say to “plug the webcam into a powered USB port”, they do not specify USB 2. I am wondering if the hub is not plugged into a USB 2 port. I looked at Device Manager and can not tell if any ports are, or are not USB 2. I can not figure out what could be causing this flicker problem when connect to the hub.

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A Dell desktop would be considered as a powered USB port…Use it instead.

Many laptops have very weakly powered USB ports, but the same is not true of desktops, especially ones with decent power supplies.

You will not need an externally powered USB, especially since you’ve stated your desktop can handle the camara without issue.
All USB ports are powered.
You may be experiencing noise from your in-home wiring that your PSU is correcting for when the camara is connected to your computer’s USB ports. Your USB will be the 2.0 standard, no need to double check.

How can I find out if my USB ports are USB 1 or USB 2?

An externally powered USB hub may be useful in instanced where you have exceeded your computers USB power capabilities.

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I must not have been clear. My question was not what is a powered USB port, but was how do I determine if any and which USB ports are USB 2 ports? In Device Manager under USB Serial Bus Controller there is one entry, “Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller”. There are 20 other devices listed (see attached).

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I must not have been clear. My question was not what is a powered USB port, but was how do I determine if any and which USB ports are USB 2 ports? In Device Manager under USB Serial Bus Controller there is one entry, “Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller”. There are 20 other devices listed (see attached).

device manager click on the usb then properties then details under property choose hardware id 🙂 ope this helps.

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“Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller”.
This means that all your USB ports are USB 2.0 standard.

The flickering you are experiencing with the externally powered hub is possibly related to “noise” from
your wall outlet.

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