[ss2]

I'm running windows XP pro on an Intel Dual core. 500 watt PS. I've added in a front panel USB connecteed to a PCI slot.

The USB's work most of the time, but when I plug a memory stick into them, I get the message that "this device will work faster if you use a 2.0 slot." The USB's are 2.0.

The other thing I noticed which was strange - was that if I plugged my 250GB external drive into the USB port (and also into an outlet for power) - it caused my Motorola wireless network device to NOT connect. It's as if the power required to run both just isn't there. If I unplug the HD - disconnect the Motorola device and then plug it back in - it starts working again. I use it to print to the printer in another room of my home.

Am I dreaming or just doing something wrong. I periodically get I/O errors on my larger external drives when plugged in at the same time as other things. All USB stuff. Do I need a larger power supply or do I need to somehow allocate more power to the USB ports?

Sometimes I can't read or write to these larger drives. I don't want to ruin anything.

Help?

SS