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External USB drive: do I have to use both USB plugs?
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Punta Cana, República Dominicana
Status:
Offline
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I can't seem to get a definitive answer on this. I've got a 320GB Maxtor external USB drive. It comes with a cord that has 2 USB plugs. The manual (if you want to call it that) that came with the drive was pretty vague about whether or not I MUST use both plugs. The drive operates fine with only the main plug connected. I'm hoping that the circuitry is smart enough to detect that it doesn't have enough juice and will just not operate at all if a single USB port isn't supplying enough power. I've tried finding out more info on Maxtor's web site but they don't even list my drive as one of their products. WTF?
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UKland
Status:
Offline
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What Mac are you connecting it to? Not all USB ports are created equal. For instance Mac Book Pros have a high power port on the left side and a low power port on the right. They are both USB2 but they deliver different amounts of power to your attached device.
If you can I would always use both connectors for reliability. You'll only suffer unexpected drive demounting trying to press one port into service. If you are short of ports get a powered hub.
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indy.
Status:
Offline
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I have found that in the area of external portable hard drives, that a good short USB cable makes a HUGE difference. The manuals for both HDs that I have state that some computers require using two USB cables (one is a USB to 5v power plug into HD). But I found that with a high quality short cable that I never need the second connection and I have never had any problems. I use my drives daily and have been using one as a Time Machine backup.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Punta Cana, República Dominicana
Status:
Offline
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Thanks for the input guys. I've gone to using a single connection and it's been working fine. I just wanted to make sure I can't damage the unit by underpowering it. I guess it's smart enough to not operate unless it has enough juice.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
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Usually you use both USBs if you are not using the AC adapter.
I'm gonna miss Firewire. 
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Punta Cana, República Dominicana
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by olePigeon 
Usually you use both USBs if you are not using the AC adapter.
I'm gonna miss Firewire.
There is no AC adapter. I've been using it most of the day now with just the one connector and it's doing just fine.
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