Tool of the Month: Smart USB Diagnostics
When USB works, it's great. But half the time, it's as flaky as Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez. Sit tight. I've discovered what could be the sources of your USB problems, and--miracle of miracles--how you can fix them.
If you're having USB problems, take a look at USBInfo, a pricey but indispensable diagnostic tool. On one screen, USBInfo identifies all your USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices and ports, including the way that they're connected, the device specs, and the peripheral names. The program neatly displays all ports, hubs, add-in controllers, and connected peripherals in a handy tree view. The utility also tests each USB device or controller to determine whether its actual speed matches the manufacturer's claimed speed. USBInfo works with all current editions of Windows; grab a trial version of the $40 tool here .
