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    Just so I don't kill anything, will my eSATA combined USB port kill my devices or can I use it like a normal USB port ..

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by HyperionX, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. HyperionX

    HyperionX Notebook Consultant

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    As topic title says, I was reading the manual while on the throne, and I totally forgot that the eSATA port is basically a USB port itself as well.

    Question is, I have no idea what exactly it does either, except "supply electric" to whatever is plugged in, I think.

    Anyway as you can tell I still have no clue, but the direct point is, can I use it like a normal USB port without fear it'll push electric into, say, my external hard drive (which already has its own power supply) and blow up the thing? (or any other devices for that matter, i.e. USB stick or my game controller)
     
    HyperionX, Sep 14, 2009
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  2. hollis_f

    hollis_f Notebook Consultant

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    Page 23 of the manual.

    All USB ports supply power when the M17x is switched on. When it's off, or sleeping, none of those ports supply power, except for the eSATA/USB combo port. Handy if you're away and do as I do, use the laptop for charging mobile phone, etc. It means you can plug the device in the combo port and it'll still charge the device, even with the laptop off.

    So there's no danger of plugging any device in that port.
     
    hollis_f, Sep 14, 2009
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  3. HyperionX

    HyperionX Notebook Consultant

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    LOL, how did I miss it, but then I didn't stay on the throne for long...., thanks hollis, now I will abuse that 5th port.

    This topic shall now be about throne habits

    Who takes their m17x to the throne with them? Is it hard to use?
     
    HyperionX, Sep 14, 2009
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  4. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I believe you also have to enable the USB Powershare option in the BIOS for this to be active when the notebook is powered off.
     
    BatBoy, Sep 14, 2009
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  5. HyperionX

    HyperionX Notebook Consultant

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    Ah. This will be unlikely, I rarely if ever charge anything using the USB ports. This will primarily be for my hard drive or game controller, nothing else. But handy to know, will keep this in mind.
     
    HyperionX, Sep 14, 2009
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  6. jeffreyac

    jeffreyac Notebook Evangelist

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    An excellent point - after all, it's a laptop, and I DO have a lap while using the facilities.... This could increase my game playing time significantly!

    Oh, wait - sorry, M17x thread. May not be compatable with my M17....
     
    jeffreyac, Sep 14, 2009
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  7. HyperionX

    HyperionX Notebook Consultant

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    That depends, how warm is the M17 on the base compared to the my17x? Haha...!
     
    HyperionX, Sep 14, 2009
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  8. jeffreyac

    jeffreyac Notebook Evangelist

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    Associated Press:

    In the news today, a man was admitted to the hospital after experiencing burns on an area described only as his 'lower extremities' after using the bathroom. hospital officials have not commented on the injuries, but sources say a large laptop was recovered from the site of the accident...
     
    jeffreyac, Sep 14, 2009
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  9. tonytoff

    tonytoff Notebook Deity

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    loving the thread guys!

    brought a smile to my face after a long and stressful day at work.

    thanks.
     
    tonytoff, Sep 14, 2009
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