USB2 Extension Cable Problem

Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each) the
other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time to time
(about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter and she has
noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious that the extension
cables are the problem but my question is.... Would freeze-up occur if the
cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an ordinary
usb or do I just have some junk cables?? I guess you get what you pay
for..... $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~)
-TIA

buck wrote:
>
> Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each) the
> other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time to time
> (about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter and she has
> noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious that the extension
> cables are the problem but my question is.... Would freeze-up occur if the
> cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an ordinary
> usb or do I just have some junk cables?? I guess you get what you pay
> for..... $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~)
> -TIA

http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5#q2

" Q1: How long of a cable can I use to connect my device?

A1: In practice, the USB specification limits the length of a
cable between full speed devices to 5 meters (a little
under 16 feet 5 inches). For a low speed device the limit
is 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).

There is an opinion about USB cables here:

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.ph...c?dmode=source

And chapter 6 of the main USB2 specification shows how
USB cables are supposed to be constructed.

http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/usb_20_05122006.zip

For $1.50, I'd snip the end off it and see how it is made.
Seeing as it isn't working well anyway, you aren't losing
anything.

Paul

Hey Paul...... Thanks so much for the info. I have been around computers
for some time but was totally ignorant about the cable length of usb2. You
have saved me a lot of time and grief and I thank you for taking time.

buck <nowayjose@covad.net> wrote:

> Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each)
> the other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time
> to time (about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter
> and she has noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious
> that the extension cables are the problem but my question is....
> Would freeze-up occur if the cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an
> ordinary usb

Nope.

> or do I just have some junk cables??

Yep.

> I guess you get what you pay for.....

Guess again.

> $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~) -TIA

The ones I have bought at that price are fine.

Shielded, large conductor, quality 10ft. USB2 extension cables go for around
$20.
1.50? Yes, I think you got what you paid for.

--
DaveW

----------------
"buck" <nowayjose@covad.net> wrote in message
news:b870c$45187d1b$48f43c1e$20216@msgid.meganewss ervers.com...
> Picked up some really cheap usb2 10' (extension cables - $1.50 each) the
> other day. Since that time I am getting mouse freezing from time to time
> (about one time every 2-3 days). I gave one to my daughter and she has
> noticed it occasionally also...... It appears obvious that the extension
> cables are the problem but my question is.... Would freeze-up occur if the
> cable was mismarked and it wasn't really a usb2 extension, but an ordinary
> usb or do I just have some junk cables?? I guess you get what you pay
> for..... $1.50 each just ain't enough..... :~)
> -TIA
>

Roger that!

DaveW wrote:
> Shielded, large conductor, quality 10ft. USB2 extension cables go for around
> $20.
> 1.50? Yes, I think you got what you paid for.
>
Buy them with a printer and take the first one offered and you'll pay up
to $30. I just bought a perfectly good, (Belkin), 6 foot USB 2 cable
for $0.99 at the "99 Cent Store". You get what you find!

--
Virg Wall