You can check the USB Root HUB speed. Don't know if this will help but open device manager, select view, select Devices by connection. Expand the two ACPI then expand PCI Express. Should lead to showing the standard enhanced PCI to USB controller and standard HCD USB Host controllers. Expand each one in turn to show ROOT HUB then double click the root hub to show properties then the advanced tab and should show what speed it is operating at. It also shows a tab to reset on each of these but I have never had the need to, so if you find the problem hub I'll leave it to you if you try the reset.

This is a handy but powerful tool, USBDeview that will also give info on your USB devices and legacy devices. Use with caution if you delete anything.

Ian in Northampton,

I understand your reticence about opening up your computer and delving inside, but if you are careful and take anti-static precautions it should not be too difficult. All went very easily on my 8 year old Windows XP Pro system.

If you are worried about messing up your set up I suggest that you take an Image (Acronis, etc.) before you start to make any modifications. Then, if/when the brown stuff hits the rotating air propeller, you can reload the Image and be back where you were before you made any changes.

I hope this helps, Peter.

Ian in Northampton,

For even more incentive you could install a USB3 card if you have a free PCI-e slot. I saw a two port version in PC World for around £25 and a 4 port one, on Amazon I think, for about £15.

That sort of card, along with an external USB3 storage device, and you should be able to back up in next to no time! The USB3 cards are backwardly compatible so your USB2 devices should work at USB2 speed.

Peter.