SmartDisk Firelite USB External HD Problems

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Level 1

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SmartDisk Firelite USB External HD Problems

Hi All

I have a Powerbook G4 1.67, 2Gb Ram, with USB2.0. I am having external USB HD problems. I have a couple of external HDs, both are the smaller laptop external HDs - and one a brand new SmartDisk Firelite USB2. I used to be able to use these with just the USB cable - however this has been hit and miss lately. The drives seems to power up, but never mounts. Bother HDs work great on my iMac so it is not the drives. I am thinking this is a hardware problem. Can anyone confirm that they can user external USB HDs getting power from the USB cable only on the Powerbook G4 1.67.

Thanks

Powerbook G4 1.67, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 2Gb

Posted on Dec 30, 2006 4:35 PM

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Answer 1

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Dec 30, 2006 5:13 PM in response to marnikcomp

It would depend on the drive. some use more power than others. some should work and some not.

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Answer 2

BGreg

Level 6

17,558 points

Dec 31, 2006 5:46 AM in response to marnikcomp

Welcome to the Apple discussions.

If you do a search, you'll find that many people have issues powering external drives from the Powerbook USB ports. One vendor even provided a dual USB cable to plug into both USB ports as a way around it. One solution is to use an external power supply with the external hard drives, the other is to use a firewire connection, if the external hard drive offers that, or move the drive into a firewire enclosure.

If you haven't already, you might try resetting the power mangement unit (PMU), which may help. Follow directions at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2007 5:59 AM in response to marnikcomp

PB USB ports only put out 500mA of power but must drives need 1A to boot.

There are some drives - Western Digital - that will boot with 500mA.

I don't know what the iMac USB ports put out. You can check by the System Profiler.

As noted get a powered USB hub and all is well. The new MBP are said to have more than 500mA of power at the USB ports.

MJ

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