USB Type C to Type A conversion

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Level 1

8 points

USB Type C to Type A conversion

Hi all. I have just bought a Seagate Innov8 USB powered hard drive. The Innov8 only has a USB 3.1 Type C output and my Mac Mini only has USB 2.0 Type A inputs. I have connected them using converter but the Seagate red light stays on , indicating low battery, and the Seagate drive does not appear in Finder. Is there some technical issue here I am not aware of, or is it likely the Seagate drive is broken? USB is backwardly compatible, but is it possible the Mac Mini isn't providing enough power to the Seagate

Thanks for any help.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on May 2, 2016 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 8:08 AM in response to PhilipAC

What model Mini?

What specific "converter"?

Yes, some USB ports do not provide sufficient power. The USB 3/3.1specs require the port provide more power than a USB 2 port.

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Answer 2

May 2, 2016 8:08 AM in response to PhilipAC

Given that the Innov 8 requires power be provided by the USB port it's connected to, It is very likely the USB 2.0 port on a Mac Mini simply cannot supply the power it needs considering USB-C ports have a power output that far exceeds traditional USB ports.

The only way to test this, would be to plug it into an actual USB-C port.

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Answer 3

PhilipAC Author

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2016 8:08 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks Guys. Suspected this. It is a 2011 Mac Mini. Do you think the lack of sufficient power is caused by my Mac Mini being USB 2 or due to Type A inputs? In other words, if I upgraded to a new Mac Mini or iMac with USB 3.0 Type A inputs, should it work?

Cheers

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 9

77,362 points

May 2, 2016 8:13 AM in response to PhilipAC

PhilipAC wrote:

Is there some technical issue here I am not aware of, or is it likely the Seagate drive is broken? USB is backwardly compatible, but is it possible the Mac Mini isn't providing enough power to the Seagate

Thanks for any help.

Are you using the drives external power supply adapter....?

Because it should work using a straight Type C to USB cable, unless either the external power supply or drive enclosure is bad.

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Answer 5

May 2, 2016 8:19 AM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:

PhilipAC wrote:

Is there some technical issue here I am not aware of, or is it likely the Seagate drive is broken? USB is backwardly compatible, but is it possible the Mac Mini isn't providing enough power to the Seagate

Thanks for any help.

Are you using the drives external power supply adapter....?

The Innov 8 does not have one. It is powered by the USB C port on the computer.

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 9

77,362 points

May 2, 2016 8:31 AM in response to Phil0124

ahhh... I was looking at the wrong model.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 8:39 AM in response to PhilipAC

Contact Seagate and ask them if it works with USB port

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Answer 8

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 8:46 AM in response to PhilipAC

Seagate says:

Hardware requirements

Connect your Innov8 to a computer with a USB-C port. This device has not been tested for use with USB 2.0/3.0 Type A ports.

Important info regarding USB-C cables: Third-party USB-C cables can be faulty or defective due to improper materials and/or construction. Only use the USB-C cable included with your Innov8. Using third-party USB-C cables or, USB-C to USB Type A cables of any kind voids your warranty.

http://www.seagate.com/manuals/innov8/introduction/

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Answer 9

PhilipAC Author

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2016 8:46 AM in response to lllaass

I have contacted Seagate support, but all they will say is that Type C to Type C is recommended!

What about getting a Type C to Lightening converter and seeing if that works?

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Answer 10

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 9:01 AM in response to PhilipAC

What does a Lightning connector have to do with your problem? Lightning connectors are for the newer iOS devices like iPhones.

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Answer 11

PhilipAC Author

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2016 9:08 AM in response to lllaass

Ah, I just thought it might provide enough power to power the Innov8. But presumably not?

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Answer 12

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 9:26 AM in response to PhilipAC

Just how would you use a Lightning connector?

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Answer 13

PhilipAC Author

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2016 9:32 AM in response to lllaass

Well, Apple sell a cable with a Lightning plug at one end and a USB Type C plug at the other, so I could connect the Innov8 Drive into my MBP which has a Lightning socket. I would then be able to transfer files from my MBP or another external drive into the Innov8. But of course that would only work if the MBP was able to power the Innov8 over the cable, and I don't know whether that is possible. Maybe the lightning socket on the MBP is not capable of powering anything in the way that a USB port can?

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Answer 14

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

May 2, 2016 9:49 AM in response to PhilipAC

You said "MBP which has a Lightning socket."

What model MBP do you have?

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Answer 15

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

May 2, 2016 10:16 AM in response to PhilipAC

into my MBP which has a Lightning socket.

That doesn't exist. MBPs don't have lightning ports.

You've bought the wrong kind of external drive to use with your MacMini. Return it for a refund or sell it to someone that has a computer with an actual USB-C port.

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