using an older model laptop with 1.1 usb, does anyone make an adapter to convert to 2.0?

Yes ,this is what you need. http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process...

As has been explained, you'll need a card to get USB 2.0. USB 1.1 is somewhat compatible with 2.0 (I've seen some sticks that will work with 1.1 or 2.0). USB 1.0, however (which, thankfully, you don't have), is not.

USB 1.1 might work. Give it a try, but realize that transfer rates will be far less. USB 1.0 was something like 1 megabit per second (100 kilobytes), USB 1.1 is something around 12 megabits per second (1.2 megabytes per second) whilst USB 2.0 is upwards of 400 or 480 megabits per second - much, much faster.

I am using an older computer running USB 1.1. I am running a DSL modem and am achieving transfer rates of around 600 kilobytes per second (my max rates are somewhat over 6 megabits per second). This wouldn't be great for an external hard drive, but seems more than adaquate for my high-speed needs. The DSL runs anywhere from 3 to 6+ megabits per second and is limited by my ISP, not my USB or modem (at least at this point in time).

Could you try the device you wish to run on your USB 1.1? You may find that it works just fine. Then again, it might not.

Good luck,

Jim

Usb is usb as far as connectors are concerned, but in the case of 1.1 vs 2.0 it's hadware that determines how fast the data can be transfered....if you have a firewire port, you might be able to get an adapter that would work.

No. I believe you're stuck. The version of USB is a function of the chip that they used inside your laptop.

If you're running a desktop system with expansion slots, even if the motherboard supports USB 1.X, you can plug a USB 2.X expansion card in and achieve faster transfer speeds.

Laptops generally don't support expansion slots.

USB 2.0 is compatible with USB 1.1 but not the other way around.