I think I have USB 1.0 or 1.1 ports

[scontron]

on a laptop from 2001. My problem is that it has a DVD-ROM but no way to save files on removable storage, at least it won't on any disks that I've tried.

I am looking for a DVD+RW/R or better yet a good combo CD/DVD drive, but I think anything out there will only be USB 2.0.

Will such a device work with my USB ports?

Additionally, can you reccommend a suitable drive? I don't want to spend a ton of money because i will replace the computer in approximately one year.

Thanks.

[DynamicTech]

USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with 1.0.

[scontron]

Thanks for your lightening-fast reply.

I had heard USB is backwards compatible with USB 1.0, but I was unsure if that meant my older USB ports will work with a USB 2.0 device or that a USB 2.0 port will work with an older USB device, or both.

[jayb1234]

Both. In the case of using a 2.0 device on an older port, it will slow down to the older ports speed, but will work fine.

[glc]

You can get a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card to get the speed you need. You don't even want to run a DVD burner on USB 1.x.

Instead of a DVD burner, why not just get an external hard drive? Those are slow too on USB 1.1, but they work. You can also use it with a new computer.

[scontron]

Hi, thanks for the assistance. I am planning on getting an external hard drive, but I';d like the ability to make removable disks. I am living in Korea now and I'd like the ability to move my files to other computers.

BTW, do you think trhere will be issues getting components here to work with my notebook?

[glc]

You can move files to other computers with an external hard drive - or even a USB flash memory key.

[scontron]

That's true, but the computers where I am at are very old, ca. 1997. But then again, I could simply email files once I have a broadband Internet connection.

Well, thanks for the help and food for thought!