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4022
September 29th, 2004 06:00
Power Surge on USB Hub - Help Wanted
I have an external USB2 hard drive (Fujitsu 80GB) which I use for all "My Documents" and Outlook Express "Mailbox".
I recently installed MS XP SP2, which caused the computer to crash badly. I then had to reformat the C drive and reinstall windows, then install the service pack, and then install the drivers (all latest ones from the Dell website).
I now have a message appearing every now and again telling me that the USB hub for drive E has exceeded its power limits and needs to be reset. This is makeing me lose a lot of data, especially when receiving e-mail.
The computer was working perfectly before the installation of Mr Gates latest addition, so I am wondering if this is what caused the problem or if there is a problem with the hardware.
Please let me know if any of you have any idea what could be the best way to overcome this error.
Rezab
6 Posts
0
September 30th, 2004 08:00
Can't help you with the before-after issue but have a look at this thread:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_periph&message.id=8354
If you power (likely) the device out of the laptop you are lucky that it used to work 'before' with the 80GB HD.
//
mjcl
8 Posts
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September 30th, 2004 08:00
This is strange as I have been running two external hard drives (at the same time), one 60GB and one 80GB without any problem for over a year! Only now, after installing XP SP2 do I have any problems.
I have also received a mail from Dell telling me that I should not be able to use these drives without an external power source, trouble is, mobile computing gets difficult when having to cart all the additional peripherals around.
Rezab
6 Posts
0
October 1st, 2004 06:00
Have you tried the drives on other PCs?
mjcl
8 Posts
0
October 1st, 2004 06:00
Rezab,
Yes, I have tried the drives on other computers, and never had a problem. It is this ease of taking information between computers, and the ability to be able to keep all "My Documents" and "Mailbox"in the event of a crash, that made me decide to go with the external drives.
At the moment I have disconnected the 80GB as this is still giving me power surge problems, and am running from the 60GB. I will find an external DC 5V supply for the 80GB and then try running it again.
Regards,
mjcl
Rezab
6 Posts
0
October 2nd, 2004 07:00
I'm still kinda puzzled by your findings because I've always had problems more or less. In some cases I've had to use extra power: sometimes these 2.5" housings come with a split cable where you can draw extra current from e.g. the PS2 port or from an extra USB port. Have you used that in the past? - Or have you solely used a single port?
The case I use all the time works with the 20GB almost on all PCs without using the extra split on the cable. I recently upgraded the I8600 to a 60GB/7200rpm HD. The old 40GB cannot be used with either of 2 2.5" cases I have here. Using the extra connector on the split cable doesn't matter. I haven't tried a separate external powering but expect it to work.
Can you perhaps give me the brand of the case.
//Rezab
I8600 1.3GHz WSXGA 7k60 512MB 4200Go CD-RW/DVD 2ndBat CentrinoWLAN/BT XPproSP2
mjcl
8 Posts
0
October 3rd, 2004 01:00
Rezab,
The system I am using is as follows:
Dell Inspiron 8500
2.50 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 Kb primary memory cache
512 Kb secendory memory cache
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
1024 Mb Installed Memory
Regarding the case that houses the 80GB drive, it is a Hotdrive Mobile 2.5" Model No. HD1-U2. The other 60GB is in a no name case, and this has never given a problem.
I bought both hard drives from a place called Skytel, in Singapore (I'm in Vietnam at the moment) and they both came with the split cable, though I have never had to use the power section of the cable, couldn't anyway as my machine only has two USB ports.
It is still a puzzle, thats for sure, and I am still getting surges on the 80GB.
Rezab
6 Posts
0
October 4th, 2004 15:00
Ah, I see,
Just one more thing.
On the HD itself the current consumption is written.
E.g. on my old 40GB travelstar it says '5V 1.0A' - that's too much for any USB port.
My older 20GB says '5V 0.5A' which most of the time works.
I haven't looked at the new 7k60 drive but I bet is also somewhere above 1A.
Have you tried an external powersupply yet?
//
Message Edited by Rezab on 10-04-2004 06:15 PM