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USB Cables? 4 pin or 5 pin for external drive?

I

itakey

Senior member
Anyone know what the difference is between a USB 4pin and USB 5pin cable? trying to buy a longer cable for my Western Digital My Essential External drive and I'm not sure which to go with.

From what I can tell, the a side has 4 metal pins, and the mini-b side has 5?

This particular drive has an external power source, so does that mean it requires a 4 pin drive? Or is it 5 pin?

Any USB Junkies out there know the answer?
 
I thought about doing this as well. Does the extension carry 4 or 5 pin also?

I would prefer to just buy a new cord that is correct for it.

Anyone know if it takes 4 or 5 pin?
 
It is a standard USB A.

USB A type is the computer's Master side and thus it is standard and always the same.

I.e., when dealing with USB deal always with the Computer side and use the original client side.





 
So what is common, 4 pin? On the A side I can see 4 pins. Does that mean I definitely need the 4 pin usb A to mini B?
 
A (4 pins), is standard and always the same. B, varies according to manufacturers preferences.

A, is +5V, -Data, + Data, Ground. That is all that the USB needs, and this what makes it is so easy and simple.
 
Still trying to figure out which is right. I have gone around and read reviews on amazon, newegg, and monoprice and it seems like some people say certain cables don't work with external drives at all, so I am sort of lost right about now. I was guessing that the 5th pin may be a stronger power source than the 4 pin? You know, like those western digital mini drives that don't need a separate power source. Is that the deal?

I am trying to get an extension cable for a 1TB western digital my book essential that HAS an external power source, so I am guessing that it might need a 4 pin. Anyone know for sure, or from experience? I will probably buy one from monoprice or newegg since they are cheaper there.
 
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Never seen nor heard of a 5-pin USB.
Click to expand...

I ran into this while connecting a USB peripheral, either phone or MP4 player, and it wouldn't charge without the 5 pin plug.
 
Originally posted by: Old Hippie
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Never seen nor heard of a 5-pin USB.
Click to expand...

I ran into this while connecting a USB peripheral, either phone or MP4 player, and it wouldn't charge without the 5 pin plug.
Click to expand...

I just don't understand how it could possibly be a 5-pin plug. USB only has four signals, VCC, DATA+, DATA-, and GND.

IMHO, if it's got five pins, then it's not USB, it's proprietary.
 
One of the fascinating thing about Internet forums is that people read only what they like rather than what was suggested.

USB Miniplug/Microplug Pin Name Color Description

1 VCC Red +5 V
2 D- White Data ?
3 D+ Green Data +
4 Special Connection
5 GND Black Signal Ground

In Micro-A- and Micro-B-Plug pin 4 is used for ID thus allow special distinction of the device that it is connected to.

Otherwise it is connected to the Ground or not connected at all.
 
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