USB

[chaz]

Can a piece of hardware, ( external Harddrive Kit ) that is USB 2.0 , function in a machine that has USB 1.1 (assuming that is the other speed). If not , do I need to get drivers and or a new card?

[pat]

Most USB 2.0 devices that I have seen are backwards compatible to 1.1. You would have to check the documentation that came with the drive for sure.
For best results I would think you would want to get a USB 2.0 expansion card.
There is a big difference in the speed between USB 1.1(12Mps) and 2.0 (480Mbs). I think this would really be noticeable with a hard drive.

Also, what OS do you plan on using.

[pat]

Here are a couple of links to further reading on the subject.

Operating System support from Microsoft

Faq sheet from Intel