USB running slow

Help! The USB my MacBook is running very slow, around 1.1 speeds if that. My iPhone fails to sync and drops the usb connection every time I try to sync, I am unable to get any music loaded. My TimeMachine drive also runs very slow. I was able to restore the phone without a problem (failed twice on the white MacBook) on my unibody MacBook, but restoring my backup and syncing my apps took forever and failed multiple times. Any ideas as to why my USB would be running so slow? Software issue I hope as it is not under warranty any longer!