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USB HDDs disconnecting

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • USB
  • Systems
  • External Hard Drive
Last response: in Systems
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October 11, 2014 11:29:03 PM

If I add more than one USB-powered external HDD they keep disconnecting. I know for a fact that it's a power problem because disks with external power work OK. So, do you think that it's

a) the power supply (some unknown brand budget PSU)

or b) could it be that the mobo's USB port just simply cannot give enough juice? (Asrock H67-GE) In which case I have to get a new mobo or a USB hub with it's own power supply.

Thanks in advance. I'd rather deal with this once and for all.

More about : usb hdds disconnecting

October 11, 2014 11:45:21 PM

Your board probably can't provide enough power to both drives at once, so your cheapest option is probably to grab a powered hub.
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October 11, 2014 11:53:19 PM

Thanks, any other opinions?

If it IS the PSU, I'd rather replace that than get a external USB hub..
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October 12, 2014 12:25:08 AM

velmuv said:
Thanks, any other opinions?

If it IS the PSU, I'd rather replace that than get a external USB hub..


It might be the PSU, but I still think its the board.

I too have an ASRock (Z77 Extreme6) and it can't power my external hard drive (WD Elements SE) through the USB2 ports. Plugging hard drives into the USB3 ports however, work fine.
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a b ) Power supply
October 12, 2014 12:36:27 AM

What drives are they?

Also are you trying to plug them into the same hubs? (IE both on the front panel connectors or both on the USB2.0 on back)

If so do they still do this when you try different hubs. (Either one in front and one in back or both in back but one on USB 2.0 and one on USB 3.0)
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Best solution

October 12, 2014 12:36:43 AM

If you're using 2 USB ports that share the same electrical bus on the MB you will also share the 500mW of power each port can put out (maximum). If you have enough ports then try a different combination or if you've got the space put a USB3 port card in, they're really cheap.
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a b ) Power supply
October 12, 2014 12:40:26 AM

^Ah I'd also back that USB3 card idea, I didn't think of that.
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October 12, 2014 1:25:10 AM

They're both WD "My Passport", connected to the back panel (this crappy mobo doesn't have a front panel connector) . There's also a mouse, keyboard, sometimes a phone and a MIDI keyboard connected to it.

So it's probably the MB USB connector not giving enough juice?
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4 minutes ago

Yes, get an addon USB3 board. Job done.
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2 minutes ago

Thanks guys, you just saved me a 100$ :) 
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!