USB Ports 2.0/1.1? & DVD help

[ferret]

Hi all, this is my first post here.

I have a VAIO PCG-GRZ615S laptop.
I'm in the process of making it much more useful by adding mobile HDD with a USB connection.
When i installed the HDD a message popped up telling me that the connection could run faster but my machine doesn't have a High speed USB connection available. I have been using it for two years thinking it had at least one but now i'm not so sure. Can anyone confirm or deny this and maybe tell me which of the 3 USB ports will be the high speed one?

Also, when playing DVD's i rarely get smooth playback and often get too annoyed to continue. I have added double the RAM to total 1024MB, set the machine to run for performance rather than the smoother animated display of XP proper but to little effect. The graphics card is a Mobility Radeon 7500C, can i change the settings so that it uses more physical memory or adjust other settings to allow smooth playback?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

BTW, my VAIO has been the most reliable computer i have owned - fab kit!:smileyhappy:

[tellingd]

Hi Ferret and welcome to CV

I've done a quick Google search on your laptop and don't see mention of USB 2. If you want this then you could get a PCMIA card that does USB connection.

Not sure about the DVD problem, certainly you don't need 1024MB RAM to watch a DVD. Perhaps try another piece of software to watch DVD's to see if that makes a difference.

[ferret]

Thanks for such a fast responce.
Looking at the Specification sheet that came with the machine:
"3 x USB Full-speed/Low-speed type A connector"
I've tried swapping the ports over since the HDD needs two usb connections, 1 for the data, 1 for the power - still the same message pops up. I'll try what you suggest in the hope that it fixes it.

Thanks again.
ferret

[kee-lo_]

Apparently the right hand side one is the fastest.

As for the DVD problem I would reinstall WinDVD or use VLC

[markfearnley]

Having asked the same question to the support team, this was the concise answer i got in return:

"all of your three USB ports are full & low speed enabeled."

So, yes to low and full speed, but NO to high speed. I thought as much - max 12mbs i think. I just ordered a bus powered 4 port USB PCMCIA hub to take it up to 480mbs.

As for the DVD playback, I upgraded to the newest version of WInDVD and while the effect is reduced, it is still there.

As another point, would this fit in my drive bay where the current CDRW/DVD player is?
DVDRW

[kee-lo_]

Yeah this is the biggest problem, it causes such confusion.

Not sure if that drive will fit.

Have you tried using VLC for watching DVDs?

[markfearnley]

I will try the VLC app later once i've downloaded it. Thanks for that.

I find it very frustrating that Sony seem unable to make it clear how and with what you can upgrade your Notebook.

I'll try directly and see if they can help.

Thx again