Question about USB extension cable length

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Thu Jan 23, 2003 5:32 pm

Hi guys,
I finally replaced my old 3 button ps/2 mouse with a Microsoft Explorer 3 mouse USB. The first thing I did was to go out and buy an USB extension cable, 6 feet in length in order for it to reach the back of the pc USB port. After opening the extension cable box, it had a warning:

USB devices are limited to a total of 10 feet on low-speed devices such as keyboards, mice, and joysticks, and 16 feet on high-speed devices such as printers and scanners.

My question is:
Will I screw up my system in anyway if I use this extension cable with my new MS Explorer mouse? I think the length of the mouse cord is 6 feet + the extension cable 6 feet = 12 feet or more.

DoPeY5007 · Post by **DoPeY5007** » Thu Jan 23, 2003 6:12 pm

I have never used an extension cable, I would try it and if it works then you should be kewl, but if you see problems get a USB hub and sit that on the desk, and that will act as an extension

DocSilly · Post by **DocSilly** » Thu Jan 23, 2003 7:23 pm

It might work, it might even work perfectly but it also might not work reliably. Just try it out.
Same goes for longer IDE cables (over 45cm/18") which might work for most but some run into problems.

RubberDuckie · Post by **RubberDuckie** » Thu Jan 23, 2003 10:29 pm

You cant screw up anything... just the signal may or may not make it.

I used 2 - 12' USB extension cables along with the 8' that came with my webcam.
Thats a total of 32' without a repeater or hub.....and it worked without a hickup.

Give it a try ... see if it works.
Maybe you will get lucky ... (get your mind out of the gutter...a USB extension cable could never get you sex....or could it?)

VooDoo · Post by **VooDoo** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 5:45 pm

ive used usb ext. cables on my dig camera and nothing happend

i mean it worked fine

me

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 6:32 pm

Thanks for all the info. I decided that a hub might be the way to go, since I don't have any USB ports that are easily accessible from the front. So now I have a USB hub sitting right there on the desk and it's easy to plug components in if I ever need to. The hub also comes with a 5volt line to make sure power goes all the way down the line to avoid intermittent connection problems. Works great.

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 7:55 pm

16 feet on high-speed devices such as printers and scanners.

Uhhh.....since when is a printer high speed?

But anyways you shouldnt damage anything. If it works cool if not then buy a hub.