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Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Can't connect HDD to my new laptop.


586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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# 140766 19-Feb-2014 16:29
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Just got a new laptop today but I am already disappointed that I cant get my external HDD to connect. I have searched google and have not found a solution yet. The only time I managed to get it to connect is when I plugged it in via a powered USB hub but I need it to connect on it's own, surely the USB ports can power it on their own.

It doesn't show up in disk management but it does show up when I go into device manager > Disk Drives, but it shows as a hidden device.

Can you help me?

My laptop is the Toshiba Satellite L50-A01Q.







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2941 posts

Uber Geek
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  # 990610 19-Feb-2014 16:47
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I think you have answered your own question.
The HDD needs more power than the USB ports can output.
Have you tried different ports - sometimes they have a couple of ports with more power and a couple with less.

The other thing you could try is a cable that has 2 usb plugs on one end and one on the other - you plug into 2 USB ports on the laptop an dthe other (single) end into the HDD. Dont know where you would get them from exactly...




Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

2941 posts

Uber Geek
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  # 990613 19-Feb-2014 16:51
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http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Connecting_a_double_usb_cable_to_a_laptop

and

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=131108




Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

 
 
 
 




586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990616 19-Feb-2014 16:56
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robjg63: I think you have answered your own question.
The HDD needs more power than the USB ports can output.


That's stupid, every other laptop I have ever used has been able to power external hard drives.







gzt

10817 posts

Uber Geek
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  # 990621 19-Feb-2014 17:00
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Also known as USB Y Cable. I assume you have tried all the ports? Every now and then specification is different for a different port group.

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Uber Geek
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Trusted

  # 990622 19-Feb-2014 17:06
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what model external HDD is it?



586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990623 19-Feb-2014 17:06
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gzt: Also known as USB Y Cable. I assume you have tried all the ports? Every now and then specification is different for a different port group.


Just tried the 2.0 port and it works but I need it to work on the 3.0 ports since it's a 3.0 hdd. Can this be fixed?







gzt

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  # 990627 19-Feb-2014 17:13
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Can you link to the specification page at toshiba?

 
 
 
 


gzt

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Uber Geek
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  # 990631 19-Feb-2014 17:16
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Will need a link to the manual for this one. Alternatively you probably have that on disk with the machine and can find it and copy paste the usb specification.



586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990632 19-Feb-2014 17:17
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jonb: what model external HDD is it?


It's a seagate 1TB USB 3.0 one 







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  # 990633 19-Feb-2014 17:18
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A USB 3.0 port is specified to deliver 900mA, whilst a USB 2.0 port is only specified for 500mA, so the USB 3 hub should be supplying enough power on its own.

It suggest a possible fault with the laptop?



586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990634 19-Feb-2014 17:18
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gzt: Can you link to the specification page at toshiba?


Here is the specification page http://www.mytoshiba.co.nz/products/computers/satellite/l50/psklna-01q00j/specifications









586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990636 19-Feb-2014 17:23
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jonb: A USB 3.0 port is specified to deliver 900mA, whilst a USB 2.0 port is only specified for 500mA, so the USB 3 hub should be supplying enough power on its own.

It suggest a possible fault with the laptop?


I'll look to contact Toshiba then.







gzt

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  # 990640 19-Feb-2014 17:29
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Are you sure you are using a USB 3.0 cable? Blue jacks in theory.



586 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  # 990643 19-Feb-2014 17:31
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gzt: Are you sure you are using a USB 3.0 cable? Blue jacks in theory.


Yes, I am sure. The HDD cable has a blue USB and so do the ports that I am trying to connect it to.







gzt

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  # 990644 19-Feb-2014 17:32
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Any bios updates available?

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