Front USB port power question???

[kb9nvh]

Are the front USB ports on motherboards usually able to provide less current than the rear ports?

My new ASROCK 939 dual sataII rear USB ports work well with my pocketec 80gig usb drive (pretty high power requirements for USB)...
When plugged into the front ports (using quality FRONTX ports and cableing), the drive will not work. If I add an external power supply it does work so it IS a power problem.

So, in general, are the on board front USB ports less power capable than the rear???

Thanks for any help,

 

[Peter]

No, but there is voltage loss on the extra length of cable. Also, the mainboard's overcurrent protection circuits might be different (and more short-fused, literally) on the front ports - although that'd be a strange design choice.

 

[kb9nvh]

well, I"ve got a note into ASROCK to answer this question....

they are having chinese new year right now so we will see if/when they get back to me..

Thanks for your hellp