USB Speed

USB 2 is a really fast interface. But to acheive this it needs high end connexion, high end cables.

Using poor quality cables gives inconsistent results with modern mass storage, like USN Hard drives. One get error messages with "bad sectors", "ehci reset"...

Connect your USB fast device directly to the central unit with the better cable you can.

http://lists.suse.com/archive/suse-linux-e/2006-Jun/3066.html

There are no passive USB extensions cords because there is a strict length limit for going without an USB Hub inbetween. While some cardreaders ship "extension cords" they are only to be used with this specific cardreader and no other equipment!