You've provided a lot of information and not much to go on.
Start by checking to see if USB is sharing an IRQ with another device on both machines. Cleanup the Device Manager in Safe Mode. Guide here:

http://www.usbman.com/Guides/Cleanup%20Device%20Manager%20Safe%20Mode.htm

If you're having trouble with USB 1.1, USB 2.0 isn't going to help.

Jeff Roberts
USBMan

: Folks,
: I am using WIN98SE and the Host Controller is by Microsoft, I guess.
: I have 2 WIN98SE systems.
: One has 2 USBs on its motherboard.
: The other has 2 USBs on a card.
: All are USB1, I guess.
: How does USB2 differ from USB1?
: Enough to make me change over to USB2?
: Does USB2 downgrade to let a USB1 line or device be used?
: My Hewlett-Packard Laser Jet 6p uses a parallel bi-direction cable, and
: reports various condition back to Win.
: My Canon BJC-610 also uses a parallel bi-direction cable, reporting back
: to the PC.
: Are USB1/2 cables available to allow my PCs to use my printers
: correctly, including the bi-directional feature.?
: I did have trouble with the use of the LapLink USB cable, connecting the
: 2 PCs, both having LapLink.
: Each PC had some LapLink problem.
: The troubles lessened when I installed current LapLink.
: Now, only one PC has a problem when shutting down.
: I would appreciate any advice on the above items.
: Thank You,
: James
: jhboatwright@bellsouth.net