m11x Powered USB not working when computer is turned off

currently the usb drive is unable to charge my cellphone when my m11x is turned off

as in the title, is there any way to configure the powered usb slot? (the one on the left of the m11x)

i've been to the device manager and unchecked 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' for all usb options and still it does not allow my to do the above :| pardon my noobness in this but its rather frustrating when a featured function does not work

 

Ummmm, no. The port will be powered then the laptop is turned on. Not when the unit is POWERED OFF. Don't think I read anywhere in the manual that indicates that any of the USB ports pass power when the machine is not powered on.

 

the only way is to put the M11x to sleep instead of powered off...

 

i'm refering to the usb port on the left of the laptop, many reviews have brought up on its capability in providing power when the laptop is turned off
its own icon printed is a usb sumbol with a 'lightning/electricity' icon on it =\

 

think i've to note that the m11x i'm refering to is the first release of the m11x
not the i-processor ones=\

 

Is your laptop on AC or battery? If it is on AC it should work even if the computer is off. If you want to have it work with battery you must enable it in the BIOS under - Advanced - USB Powershare - Enabled. I have charged my Ipod with the computer off and on battery.

 

On my R2 it powers this port when turned off but with the power plugged in. I also think there is a setting in the bios.

 

AlienKarl got it right.

The reason it doesn't work is because you need to go into BIOS --> Advanced --> USB PowerShare and turn that to Enabled. It is disabled by default, so that is why it does not work.

You can then use that port as a USB charging port when plugged into AC power, even when the machine is off. The intent of that port is to allow you to charge something like a cell phone or wireless mouse overnight.

And BTW, you can turn that setting for "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' back on. It does not affect what you are trying to do. A USB port is always "in use" when something is plugged into it, whether that device is idle or not. By turning that feature off, you are basically telling your PC to always keep the USB ports powered up, even when nothing is connected to them. And by doing that, you'll see your battery life suffer tremendously.

 

well i use my m11x on AC power, rarely on battery.
and previously i could use that port to charge my cellphone even while shutting down my laptop while its still plugged in

as i was able to use it as such i couldn't really think of why i should be going to my BIOS to re-set the function (since it was already working then)
but nevertheless i went to my BIOS and it was already enabled.

could it be cause i went to install some of the updates that were on dell's site? (updates for my make of the m11x) to be honest i didn't really understand the purposes of the updates but still went ahead with it.


i was playing about with it yesterday and so far the only 'solution' i have is to re plug in my device after shutting down my laptop to get the usb port to provide power

 

That's what you have to do! This step is listed in the manual.

My problem is the other way round. My iPad will only charge when the laptop is off. It will change to "Not charging" the second the laptop is turned on. Don't know if it's the iPad or the USB port but it's quite irritating!