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Laptop Has 3 USB Ports But Can Only Handle 1 Storage Device At The Time

L

larrytucaz

Senior member
I have a Windows 8.1 laptop. For some reason, it can only handle having 1 storage device connected at the time. I've tried plugging in a Seagate 1T external portable hard drive and a PNY 64G USB flash drive, and it will only operate one at the time.

Understand--I'm referring to plugging in the devices to the laptop's built-in USB ports, not a USB hub that makes 4-5 ports out of 1. It's plugged DIRECTLY into the machine itself, and STILL it can only handle one device at the time.

Is this normal? How do I get around this, with a powered USB hub?
 
If it were hard drives, I'd consider the possibility that it's running out of juice.

But it should still be able to do 2-3 flash drives at the same time. Did you try multiple flash drives?

What laptop model/brand?
 
Have you looked in device manger to see if both are listed or one is listed with an error?

Upon what basis have you determined that the second device isn't detected?
 
ketchup79 said:
Have you looked in device manger to see if both are listed or one is listed with an error?

Upon what basis have you determined that the second device isn't detected?
Click to expand...

I haven't done the device manager thing, will try that.

The basis--because I plug it in and the lights don't come on and/or it doesn't show up under the hard drive letters, whereas it does when I plug it in my itself.
 
Ok, so a second drive doesn't get power. Does it matter if the laptop is plugged in? What does your Windows power profile look like?
 
Sorry for the slow and haphazard responses.

I haven't tried any of your suggestions yet, sorry--however, there is this--I've noticed that it may be the other 2 USB ports themselves, because when I plug anything into them, even if it's the only thing plugged in at all, it does nothing. So, apparently, only 1 of 3 USB ports work at all. At least that is what appears to be the case anyway.
 
Try connecting the external drive to a different USB port - have nothing else plugged into the others. Is the different port still dead? If not, I would guess that the external HDD is taking all of the USB ports power leaving zilch for the other two.
 
larrytucaz said:
Sorry for the slow and haphazard responses.

I haven't tried any of your suggestions yet, sorry--however, there is this--I've noticed that it may be the other 2 USB ports themselves, because when I plug anything into them, even if it's the only thing plugged in at all, it does nothing. So, apparently, only 1 of 3 USB ports work at all. At least that is what appears to be the case anyway.
Click to expand...

In that case it sounds like your USB ports might be busted. Are the non working ports on a different side of the laptop than the working one?
 
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