USB Power

[broken1]

So I have this very small problem. I bought a Memorex Ultra-travel drive, mac compatible, but when I try connect it to my USB port, it just doesn't get enough juice.

You can hear the drive start to spin up, then just turn off. This is obviously because it's not getting enough power.

Is there a way to fix it, other than using two usb ports to power it?

 

[bwana]

So I have this very small problem. I bought a Memorex Ultra-travel drive, mac compatible, but when I try connect it to my USB port, it just doesn't get enough juice.

You can hear the drive start to spin up, then just turn off. This is obviously because it's not getting enough power.

Is there a way to fix it, other than using two usb ports to power it?

You could try an external usb hub or a different enclosure - some work fine in my experience while others dont.

You're a mac guy now . . . . think firewire

 

[LandyMan]

That is a common problem with external chassis' ... I have the same problem with my ViPower one ... dumped the 100Gb in a Vantec chassis, no problem

 

[broken1]

You could try an external usb hub or a different enclosure - some work fine in my experience while others dont.

You're a mac guy now . . . . think firewire

hehe! I will go firewire once I've gotten an iMac instead of a PC. For now tho, I need the compatibility! Here's a weird one, will my iPod/iPhone work with firewire? I have a apple firewire cable from the days when iPods used to come with them!

 

[bwana]

hehe! I will go firewire once I've gotten an iMac instead of a PC. For now tho, I need the compatibility! Here's a weird one, will my iPod/iPhone work with firewire? I have a apple firewire cable from the days when iPods used to come with them!

No - but it will power it if you're running short on usb ports.

 

[broken1]

That is a common problem with external chassis' ... I have the same problem with my ViPower one ... dumped the 100Gb in a Vantec chassis, no problem

Crap. I thought it might be the chassis, as it works on my PC, but not on my macbook or PC/laptop! I'll just use the two USB port solution for now....

I thought there might be a way to increase the power to the USB drives, hence the question...but it's not a serious problem - just annoying!

 

[LandyMan]

Crap. I thought it might be the chassis, as it works on my PC, but not on my macbook or PC/laptop! I'll just use the two USB port solution for now....

I thought there might be a way to increase the power to the USB drives, hence the question...but it's not a serious problem - just annoying!

I think the power via a PC USB is more consistent, as its got a bigger PSU. You might notice that the drive will work on the Mac when it is pretty much idle, but as soon as there is alot of traffic to/from the drive, it starts bitching about power

 

[broken1]

mmmkay. Can someone point me to a USB Hub which connects to two USB Ports (One for USB/ One for Power) on the mac and offers 2 or more, fully powered ports?

 

[koffiejunkie]

hehe! I will go firewire once I've gotten an iMac instead of a PC. For now tho, I need the compatibility! Here's a weird one, will my iPod/iPhone work with firewire? I have a apple firewire cable from the days when iPods used to come with them!

I've seen 3rd party firewire connectors for iPod. Assuming the iPhone uses the same connector (it looks like it does) it should work if you can get your hands on one of those connectors. I assume if you break it trying your warranty won't cover it.

 

[koffiejunkie]

The best solution, really, is to get a cheap, powered USB hub. Plug the hub into the lappy, and both plugs from the extrnal drive into the hub. That's assuming your drive comes with a second USB 'power' connector.

 

[bwana]

I've seen 3rd party firewire connectors for iPod. Assuming the iPhone uses the same connector (it looks like it does) it should work if you can get your hands on one of those connectors. I assume if you break it trying your warranty won't cover it.

They took out the actual firewire controller after the iPod photo so while you can still charge your device thats as far as you'll get

 

[koffiejunkie]

Oh right, I thought it was an external USB controller that plugs into a firewire controller (the firewire equivalent of a PCMCIA USB controller) - kind of pointless but I assumed there'd be someone who wants it...