USB with Win 95

[nedah]

The blurb which came with the computer states "There is provision for two USB ports (optional)" I assume this means that there are slots in the motherboard to accomodate USB cards but I'm told that the OS -Win95-, which was pre-installed when when the computer was bought, does not support USB technology. Does Win 95 support USB?

[xor_chad]

Howdy.
You probsbly have an AT style MB that has headers(pins) on the MB for an optional USB port. You need to identify the header to determine the EXACT usb adapter you need(count number of pins and number of rows).

In order for Windows to support USB you must be using Revision 4.00.950B 2.1<---(important) or greater.

To check this:

Right click on the My Computer icon and choose Properties.

Under the System block should be something like: 4.00.950B

If it is this: 4.00.950A or 4.00.950 ,then you are out of luck.

If it is: 4.00.950C then you are good to go.

If it is: 4.00.950B, then you need to check to make sure it is revision 2.1 not 2.

To do this:
Click the Start Menu
Click Run
Type: c:\windows\system\vmm32 and click OK
Right Click on Ntkern.vxd and choose Properties
Click on the Version tab
File Version should read 4.03.1212 or greater

If not then you have OSR2 and not 2.1 and thus no USB support.
Hope that helped. Later...

------------------
Chad Wilson
C++/ASM Programmer
PC Support Technician

[This message has been edited by xor_chad (edited 11-26-2000).]

[ixl]

USB support in Win95 is very limited even if you can get it to work. For example, you cannot use USB mice or other input devices in Win95, any version, period, because OS components needed for input device classes in USB are not provided in Win95 and MS refuses to release a patch.

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[nedah]

Many thanks for the helpful advice. I've checked the Win 95 version and I'm out of luck.

[De R Man]

Win 98SE upgrade will solve USB probs for U. Do you have USB ports to connect to on the machine?