Slow USB Ports

I've got a new 27-Inch iMac 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 with 4 GB RAM, less than a month old. I'm noticing that I'm getting slow file transfers on two (out of four) of my USB 2 ports. I've tried two different hard drives and a USB flash memory stick and the files seem to copy very slowly sometimes. Is there a known problem with the USB ports on these new iMacs or is there a way to fix this? I've tried using the other two USB ports for my backup hard drives which seems to solve the problem so I'm wondering if I don't have a couple of bad ports? The files will still copy okay to the ports in question but they are slower to copy as opposed to the ports that "work" better. I'm wondering how to tell if a USB port is actually "bad", would the file transfers work at all if this were the case or would I just get slow throughput? Is there a utility that can test the ports?
Thanks in advance.

I have noticed the exact same problem on two different iMac 27" i7's. I think it's an unfortunate result of internal devices sharing the USB host controllers.
The "fast" ports are indeed 1 & 3 (#1 being the outermost, next to the audio ports). With either of these I can read large files from an external HFS+ HDD at a steady 36MB/s, provided that only one of those ports is being used. With ports 2 & 4 (#4 being next to the firewire 800 port) I get half that rate, i.e. 18MB/s, again with nothing in the other port of the pair.
I also have a late 2008 MacBook Pro 15" with just two ports, but they are both fast at 36MB/s, even if you have something plugged into both of them. That's about as fast as you get for USB 2.0 in the real world.
My solution is to use #2 & #4 for slow devices like keyboard and mouse, and use #1 for the HDD and keep #3 empty (actually I plug my UPS into #3 since that particular device doesn't slow the HDD much, just down to 34MB/s).
*Your best bet though as always is to use FireWire 800!* I get 80 to 85MB/s on that (FireWire is just more efficient than USB 2.0, as well as being clocked faster).

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Fastest would be to only have it plugged in. Does the cam use a Card? If so, the fastest would be to use the card reader.
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Hello, yesterday I had to transfer files from my MacBook Pro to an old laptop in the office, a model that ascend to the type 2006/2007 with Windows XP Professional.
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There is a bit 'much difference, right?
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All USB thumb drives write much slower than they read. So the time difference isn't surprising. A true test is with a external hard drive that has its own AC power supply. Do a Write and Read of the same files on both systems and report back.

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I hope somebody here can help me...
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Did you install the whole MS updates??
My brother has had a same problem. He has connected a scanner to the computer and the message has appeared because of the USB 2.0 issue.
He asks me for a help. I have updated simply the WinXP, installed all QFEs and service packs.
This was the key
Check it.
By the way; please be sure that the chipset utility was installed

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So, now, it works again. It seems, that this solved my problem:
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I also wanted to mention that both drives are formatted with GUID tables, one is formated as Mac OS Extended and the other is Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Both are slow when copying to each other or from the desktop to the external hard drive. Though the Journaled one seems faster when it is the only one plugged in. The vanilla Extended seems to be slow regardless of whether it is plugged in by itself on either USB port. Like I said above, this is not usual behavior, I have had no problems before a few days ago with USB speed.

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Open the System Profiler in Apple menu -> About This Mac. Look under hardware -> USB. Should tell you what's slower than the standerd 480 Mbps that might be slowing you down. Every "bus" slows down to the slowest device on it.

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Hi again Alfriston,
Thank you for the clarification!
To return your computer's audio back to functional order, I recommend removing the audio driver from the operating system previous to upgrading to Windows 8.1, and installing the driver provided in this link.
If re-installing the driver does not resolve the issue, I suggest following the steps in this document on No Sound from the Speakers (Windows 8).
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To prevent your computer from lagging or responding in a slow manner, please follow the step in this document on Resolving Slow System Performance (Windows 8) to help improve the speed and efficiency of the operating system.
To further diagnose the issue with your desktop's SD card reader, I recommend following this resource on Using and Troubleshooting Memory Card Readers (Windows 8).
If your desktop still experiences issues with the audio, USB connections, speed and performance, as well as the SD card reader, I recommend returning your system back to a previous restore point. This can be done by following the steps in this document on Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 8).
Should the problem continue, I suggest performing a backup and recovery of your operating system. This can be done by following the steps in this resource on Backing Up Your Files (Windows 8), as well as Performing an HP system recovery (Windows 8). This should return your system back to factory defaults.
If the issue persists, please call our technical support at 800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html
I hope this helps!
Regards
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Usb ports not working, slow internet

hi!I downgraded from windows 8 to windows 7 ultimate 64 bit, and only 1 usb port working, when i connect my mouse to another usb port, the mouse lights up but doen´st do anything, and my wifi is very slow compared other devices in my house... before windows 7 it worked fine but now has very slow internet speed.hope someone could help !

You're very welcome. The only suggestion I can offer would be to try the latest driver for that wireless card and see if it makes a difference. http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?sp4ts.oid=6943827&swItemId=ob_149229_1&swEnvOid=4053#tab1

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Hey guys!
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My hard disk is really slow and one of my USB ports doesn't function as normal, are those conditions included in apple repair policy?

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Sorry, but I don't even know
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I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL. I GOT THE SERVICE
MANUAL AND I'M THINKING TO OPEN IT AND SEE IF THERE'S SOME PHYSICAL BAD CONNECTION
INSIDE. BUT LIKE YOU SAID. IT'S ONLY THREE MONTHS OLD.!!! I DON'T WANT TO RUIN THE WARRANTEE.
BUT THIS IS VERY FRUSTATING. I WANDER IF TOSHIBA DOES THIS ON PURPUSE.!!! KEEP IN TOUCH AND
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