I have used short USB1.1 cables before.
The longer ones don't work so well.
There is a huge frequency change between the two speeds.
Its like going from a ten based network to hundred based, except five times worse. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
In order to be safe, everything has to operate at usb 2.0 for the speed increase. Motherboard or card>Cable>Hub>Cable>Device