USB Ports

[zophas]

Is there a difference between front and rear USB ports? My external hard drive runs fine in the rear ports but is very erratic if plugged into the front ports. Just wondering.

 

[dabbler]

On my laptop my external drive works fine but I also have problems when connecting it to one of the front ports of my PC.

 

[droid]

There should not be a problem. But from experience myself i prefer the back ports.
(I had one instance where i ran some USB audio through my front port that was a bit noisy. Some interference. )

 

[ChilliGirl]

Some MB seem to offer less power on front ports to devices than the back ports offer....

 

[sajunky]

Is there a difference between front and rear USB ports? My external hard drive runs fine in the rear ports but is very erratic if plugged into the front ports. Just wondering.

The same problems are when using USB extension cable on he rear ports, isn't? Front ports are like rear one, except there are extension cables inside your PC.

 

[Totempole]

Front USB Never seems to work 100% it's either got to do with the quality of the port,
the way it connects to the motherboard, or the power supplied to it.

The most common issue I experience when building new PC's is that one of the front USB
ports is perfect, and the other one works, but not quite as well.

 

[ashfaak]

Front USB ports connect to the motherboard via a cable which acts as a current limiter, whereas the rear ports connect directly to the motherboard. This means that the front ports can supply slightly less current compared to the rear ones.

Any electric motor (as found in a hard drive) requires more current to start spinning, than to continue spinning. Sometimes the front usb ports are unable to provide enough startup current, so you hear a "clicking" noise.

Remedies would be to use a shorter/thicker USB cable for your hard drive, or use a cable with two USB connectors (the second connector supplies extra current) or just use the rear USB ports.

 

[NomNom]

Some MB seem to offer less power on front ports to devices than the back ports offer....

This.

 

[ooogz]

sorry to hijack thread but when I connect a USB cable or hard drive etc to the front USB ports my PC freezes with no response or the screen goes black. When the screen goes black I can here that the PC gets quieter. I then have to restart my PC. Any advice?

 

[sajunky]

Use self powered USB 2.0 hub.

 

[Deep78]

it seems that allot of MB give more power to the back ports, does anyone know of any good 4 port usb hubs
that are externally powered ... would love to buy one, ports on laptop just never seem to be strong enough
to run data stick, mouse and external drive at the same time

 

[Deep78]

sorry to hijack thread but when I connect a USB cable or hard drive etc to the front USB ports my PC freezes with no response or the screen goes black. When the screen goes black I can here that the PC gets quieter. I then have to restart my PC. Any advice?

remove and reinstall usb ports and controllers i device manager

 

[kayvee]

Technically there is no difference at all, however some MB/case manufacturers take short-cuts with wiring/connectors which maybe where the difference comes.