external enclosures without adapters??!?

[meksta]

It is possible for the harddrive to be solely powered by USB?

 

[corkyg]

In most cases - no. I have 5 2.5-in externals and they all require external power with my laptop, but they work OK with my desktop. (USB) I also have Firewire as a choice. The laptop Firewire port has no voltage (4 pins), so it needs a power connection there. The desktopFirewire is 6 pin - and it work AOK w/o external power.

3.5's just about always require external power. - especially external SATA.

 

[LED]

The only ones I have used are in the 2.5 HD Flavors

 

[HDTVMan]

Only ones that use laptop hard drives that I have seen. But you need a good USB power output. Some do and Some dont. Trial and error.

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: HDTVMan
Only ones that use laptop hard drives that I have seen. But you need a good USB power output. Some do and Some dont. Trial and error.

Thought I just posted that so if the OP wants a few that I have tested thru trial n error then he can e-mail me 😉

 

[AmberClad]

Yes, if it's a 2.5" (laptop) HD, then it can be USB bus powered. I haven't seen a self-powered 3.5" (desktop) one though.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Yes, if it's a 2.5" (laptop) HD, then it can be USB bus powered. I haven't seen a self-powered 3.5" (desktop) one though.

3.5" drives take way too much power for what a usb/firewire can safely self-power.

 

[Zepper]

3.5" drives require both +12 and +5 volts - USB supplies only +5 - FW supplies only +12. I doubt that FW can supply enough current to start most 3.5" drives. So you're usually stuck with some sort of external power - wall wart or battery pack - as I would guess than even most notebook drives would have a hard time running on the measly half an Amp that USB can supply (but only if there is nothing else on the port). Some 2.5" drive cases come with a PS/2 power tap as well as USB to get enough power w/o needing other power.

.bh.