USB ATAPI storage device

Windows device driver information for USB ATAPI storage device

The USB mass storage device class or USB MSC or UMS is a set of computing communications protocols defined by the USB Implementers Forum that run on the Universal Serial Bus. The standard provides an interface to a variety of storage devices.A bridging technology according to various aspects and embodiments of the present invention enables mass storage applications to benefit from the speed and versatility of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and particularly USB 2.0. The USB technology itself also offers several advantages over other communications technologies. One advantage is that the current through the USB wiring is relatively low compared to that of other technologies. USB also enables plug-and-play capabilities, where other technologies require manual adjustment of dip-switch settings and the like. Furthermore, USB-connected devices can be powered from the USB bus or through current augmentation.

Devices using other technologies are typically powered through their own, independent power supplies. Unlike most removable drives, a USB drive does not require rebooting after it's attached, does not require batteries or an external power supply, and is not platform dependent. Several manufacturers offer additional features such as password protection, and downloadable drivers that allow the device to be compatible with older systems that do not have USB ports. USB drives are available in capacities ranging up to about 65 gigabytes (GB), depending on manufacturer, in a corresponding range of prices. With a USB drive, data can be retained for long periods when the device is unplugged from the computer, or when the computer is powered-down with the drive left in. This makes the USB drive convenient for transferring data between a desktop computer and a notebook computer, or for personal backup needs. It is highly recommended you run a free registry scan for and USB ATAPI storage device errors before installing any driver updates.