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atp_image
10-06-2008, 21:02
OK, I have just received a new 250gb external HDD for my birthday so i can upload all my photos onto it from my laptop.

Its one of those new USB2 ones and i am using a 3 year old PowerBook G4 17" with all the fruit. Problem is the external HD is not getting enough current to power up from my USB port.

I purchased a FW cable and that had no impact. I purchased a IOGEAR USB booster cable and it too had no impact (despite packaging promises)

The HDD just ticks over with a pulsating glow on the LED.
Rumour has it that my laptop does not send out enough current from the USB ports hence why the booster cable is needed, or so i was led to believe.

How can i get this puppy to work ? :shrug:

help :help:
Shutterman
10-06-2008, 21:07
Easiest way will be to buy a powered usb hub and do it that way.

Although I thought at least 1 of the port would be powerful enough...

I know not all are powered but I thought one would be.

Shutterman
Steep
10-06-2008, 21:09
Did it not come with a power supply? if not check for a socket on the drive to see if you can add one.
BertRoot
10-06-2008, 21:13
USB1 delivers a lot less power than USB2. What does your MacBook have? You could get a powered hub or a twin cable. All my USB drives have a cable like a Y that attaches to two USB ports to deliver the correct amount of power to drive the drive.
Gary Wood
10-06-2008, 21:14
I would have thought that FW would have worked , are you able to test on another pc/Mac
Gary Wood
10-06-2008, 21:16
USB1 delivers a lot less power than USB2. What does your MacBook have? You could get a powered hub or a twin cable. All my USB drives have a cable like a Y that attaches to two USB ports to deliver the correct amount of power to drive the drive.

would have thought would be USB 1 being a G4 three years old
atp_image
10-06-2008, 22:15
USB1 delivers a lot less power than USB2. What does your MacBook have? You could get a powered hub or a twin cable. All my USB drives have a cable like a Y that attaches to two USB ports to deliver the correct amount of power to drive the drive.

You are a LEGEND !

Thank you, it worked using that 'y' method.