USB Cable and External Hard Drives? Not Enough Power?

[itakey]

I was curious to know if anyone knows about usb cables. I have a new Maxtor BlackArmor external drive that seems to draw a lot of power. I tried to hook it up to a front USB port and it won't work so I have to hook it up to a back port. I also noticed it is very picky which USB cable it uses, or else it won't work or will get Delayed Write errors.

So, I have narrowed it down that the drive demands high power from a usb port, so I am using the port on the back side directly linked onto the mother board. Also, it is picky about cables.

I tested against a plain jane western digital external and the western digital works where the Maxtor BlackArmor won't, so this BlackArmor definitely needs a lot of juice and the right type of cable.

I want to buy an extended cable, but I tried about 3 or 4 ones I have around the house and only 1 of the 4 works. What gives? Is it the thickness of the USB cable maybe?

The cable is a USB A to usb B mini.
Any info will be helpful.

 

[Modelworks]

It sounds like a combination of length and quality of the cable. USB can only supply 500ma per port which is really not much at all. Does the drive have an external adapter ? Or does it get all its power from usb ?

If it gets its power from the pc then I would buy a powered usb hub and use that instead. Should solve any problems.

 

[itakey]

Thanks for the specifics.

I just confirmed with Maxtor support that it draws 500ma. I would say it draws more because this is the only thing I've ever seen have issues like this. I thought about a usb powered unit but wasn't sure if it would solve this issue, but I am going to go ahead and try it.

What is interesting is that I do have one cord that is about 3 feet, that I received with some other unit and it works, but none of the others. Maybe it is just the quality of the cord?

 

[itakey]

28AWG/2C + 24AWG/2C UL Type CM cable
I have looked at all of my cables, and the 2 that work say 28AWG and 24AWG. The ones that don't seem to work are 26AWG. So I am thinking the 24AWG carries more power, so I need to find a 24 guage wire. Think this will solve it?

 

[Blain]

You might try cleaning the contacts on the USB ports and cable connector.

 

[corkyg]

Just about all external HDDs (2.5) come with USB cables that have TWO connectors for TWO USB ports at the same time. Alternatively, you can connect vis a powered USB hub.

3.5 exterrnals all require separate power cords and direct connection to A/C.

Many external 2.5 cases come with a small 5 vdc/500ma input port imn addition to the USB or Firewire link.

Here is a Seagate Freeagent Go, 2.5 external. Note the USB cable that came with it. Three connectors - a mini to the drive and a pair of USBs, on on a heavier cable. When used with a powered hub, the one heavier cable does it. When connected to a laptop, it requires BOTH to be connected,

USB

 

[itakey]

Thanks Corkyg,
I already have a Maxtor BlackArmor drive. It is a 2.5", and only requires one usb b mini port. It works great with the cord that came with it, but doesn't work great with other thinner longer cables I have. Trying to get a longer cable that has the thickness of the original. I am wondering if it is a length issue more than the cable thickness.

 

[corkyg]

The longer the cable, the greater the line loss. Laptop USB ports are marginal as is.

 

[itakey]

So would a separately powered USB hub help this problem, or would that not even put out the power required?

 

[corkyg]

A powered hub is really the ideal solution. It puts out the required voltage and current, and does niot depend on the computer's power. It also alleviates the problem of too few USB ports on laptops.