usb power consumption too high

Question

usb power consumption too high

Hi there,

my iPhone does not charge anymore. My MBP gives this error:
"USB power consumption too high. USB hub will be shut down." (I translated it from German)
The usb ports in my MBP stop working (only a reboot resets it). If I plug the iPhone into an active USB hub it does the same. I have my time maschine connected to this external active usb hub and if I connect my iPhone it kills the tm harddrive. I have tried several usb cables!
So it seems pretty obvious, that the battery of my iPhone is broken, doesn't it!?

Any ideas except sending it to apple for big money!?
Thanks in advance!
Frede

MacBook Pro / iPhone 3GS OS 4.2.1, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 18, 2011 1:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

timid1

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2011 5:45 AM in response to fredezumxtenmal

I don't agree based on what I've read. Why do you assume it's the iPhone? It could very well be that you're overdrawing the USB ports with your Time Machine combined with any of the other devices you haven't told us about. I'd unplug everything from your computer and just plug your iPhone directly into the MBP (no hub, active or not).

I'd also look at the dock connector of your iPhone. See if there's any crap that's on the connector or if the connector looks damaged (chipped, or pins bent/missing).

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Answer 2

Mar 29, 2011 7:41 AM in response to plcn

I have been having the same problem while plugged directly into the USB port on my MacBook. It still charges and my USB mouse still works.

About the same time, I started having trouble connecting to a cable in my car to play/charge my phone through the car radio.

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Answer 3

plcn

Level 2

325 points

Jan 18, 2011 5:49 AM in response to fredezumxtenmal

Try to plug the iPhone to the MBP without the Hub. If it works fine, the problem is your hub. If it doesn't work, the problem may be in your cable. Try a different one.

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Answer 4

Sam M.

Level 3

604 points

Mar 29, 2011 7:45 AM in response to fredezumxtenmal

If you need a hub keep in mind there are models that exist which have an external power supplier and it uses as a supplement when the voltage dips too low.

-SM

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