What are those double USB A to mini usb cable called?

[gamefreakgcb]

Hi all, my google skills aren't high enough for me to successfully execute this search so I humble myself in front of the Google Gurus here, I am looking to buy a few USB A to mini-usb cables, the standard ones, except, they have TWO plugs on the A side, to power an external 2.5" Hard Drive. My current 160GB WD Passport acts up when the regular cable is connected, spinning up and down, I tried this cable from another external disk I bought and it worked. Anyone know where I can fine one? Thanks guys

 

[bruceb]

You mean like this one ? ?

http://www.bixnet.com/5vps2powercord.html

 

[corkyg]

Yep! It is called a USB Type A to Mini 5. There are also other minis.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Originally posted by: bruceb
You mean like this one ? ?

http://www.bixnet.com/5vps2powercord.html

Yup, that one, thanks

 

[LOUISSSSS]

whatis the 2nd usb plug used for in these cables?

 

[bruceb]

USB Ports are limited in how much current they can supply.
The second type A plug goes into another usb jack to take
additional power from the computer for the device that is
connected to the mini 5 plug

 

[corkyg]

And, FYI, there are three different shapes of USB minis:

USB

Devices that use minis have their own power source, i.e., digital cameras and some external drives.

 

[bruceb]

How true. I have an adapter kit for a generic usb cable that has about 4 kinds.
And then those digital cameras and cell phones use the mini 5 pin which, of
course, didn't come in my adapter kit.