USB2 Extension Cable Problem

[buck]

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

 

[Paul]

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.photo.digital/msg/50aedf3bc80e343c?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

 

[buck]

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.

 

[Rod Speed]

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.

 

[DaveW]

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

 

[buck]

Roger that!

 

[VWWall]

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!