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    Question about USB PCMCIA cards

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by saturnotaku, Aug 2, 2006.

  1. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    In assessing the external peripherals I'll be using on my new Power Pro system, I found I'll need 4 USB ports. Unfortunately, the laptop only comes with 3. In looking at hubs and PCMCIA cards, I've decided that the latter will best suit my needs.

    I want to know if they can handle the power draw of an external 3.5-inch hard drive (that has its own power supply) without needing to use the included DC to USB adapter that's included with many cards.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 2, 2006
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  2. asenna

    asenna Notebook Consultant

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    if the drive has its own power suply it wont need much power from the usb ,if any.
     
    asenna, Aug 2, 2006
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    A 3.5" hard drive cannot be powered by a PCMCIA slot because they only provide 350 milliamps of power. 3.5" drives require 900mA to start up, but once they are powered up, the power consumption signifigantly drops.
    USB 2.0 ports also cannot power 3.5" drives alone, as they only provide a maximum of 500mA of power.
    3.5" external drives need a seperate power supply.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Aug 2, 2006
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  4. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Obviously the external enclosure needs its own power supply, that's a no duh right there. :cool:

    I was talking about the power extension on the PC card itself. It plugs into one of the system's USB ports to provide some extra power. I'm wondering if that little bit of extra juice is necessary for the external drive.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 2, 2006
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