Dumb question about USB 2.0 & 3.0

[frau kaleun]

So I bought a new external backup drive, which is USB 3.0 and comes with the appropriate cable but is backwards compatible with 2.0. I'm pretty sure I don't have USB 3.0 on the current rig, just a plethora of available 2.0 ports.

My dumb question is, is the 3.0 cable backwards compatible with 2.0, or just the device? Meaning, can I use the cable they supplied with a 2.0 port, or should I dig out an extra 2.0 cable from the approximately three million of them currently stowed in the Big Box O' Tech Stuff I'm Not Using underneath my bed?

Just realized this may be an even dumber question than I thought, as I may get home and find that the 3.0 cable does not, in fact, fit into a 2.0 port. If so, please feel free to deride me at your leisure. :O:

[HunterICX]

I've got a WD external HD which is also USB 3.0 with backwards compatibility.
Meaning it'll work on 2.0 port just fine without the need to change anything.
One advice with external storages, use the windows ''Safely Remove Hardware'' feature which appears on the bottom right of the screen everytime before you unplug it to avoid issues with the device.

HunterICX

[frau kaleun]

I've got a WD external HD which is also USB 3.0 with backwards compatibility.
Meaning it'll work on 2.0 port just fine without the need to change anything.
One advice with external storages, use the windows ''Safely Remove Hardware'' feature which appears on the bottom right of the screen everytime before you unplug it to avoid issues with the device.

HunterICX

So the cable they sent me is okay to use, then. Good to know.

And it will be permanent addition, to replace or add to the backup drive I'm already using which is just too small for everything now. So no worries about unplugging it from the PC - if that happens it will be purely accidental, lol.