External Optical Drive error

okay, so I have HD DVD drive which is installed externally via USB (Originally come internally with my laptop - but replaced (internally) on DAY ONE - the day of my purchase - by Blu-ray writer which I purchased earlier)

I really want to use this external drive to play my DVD movies (to avoid using my BD drive for DVD), and limited number of HD DVD movies (6 so far compared to whooping 92 blu-rays)

I noted that I experienced a lot of problem when using this externally (or any drive - even my BD drive before I installed it internally). Most of the time, it does not manage to detect the disc. But when I attempted to install it internally in other laptop, it worked properly.

I suspected the following:
- length of cable - when I use shorter USB cable, the chance is that the disc will read properly
- low USB power - not enough power ?
- the thickness of cable?
- certain usb port on my laptop can't be used to power up this drive (left side to be specific). Right side USB ports are fine with this drive.

my plans:
-buy adaptor to power up the drive
-use esata port (I am not sure what kind of cable needs to be used

If there is solution to this problem, let me know asap
what option is the best?

Please also let me know which one is/are not true from my suspicion, so I can concentrate on which one the real problem is.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

Insufficient power from a single USB port is the most likely cause of the problem. It is usual for external optical drives to be supplied with either a mains PSU or a second USB cable to provide additional power. Each USB port is rated at 5V, 0.5A (=2.5W). The internal connector for the optical drive would have a higher power rating.

Try an external PSU or see if you can find a USB power cable with the right plug to fit your external unit. I don't think eSATA is the solution unless the optical drive has an SATA connector. eSATA devices need a power supply, either from mains or USB.

John

 

thx... just wondering if what you mean is a USB cable with type B plug at one end and "two" type A plugs at the other that go to the laptop.
I am considering that at the moment, but wondered if it will be sufficient enough. I know one USB port is allowed 5Volt, and the drive is requiring 5V. and yet, it's still insufficient. If I use 2, that means I got minimum of 10 Volt -5%. I wonder if it will work

 

Yes, one of those cables may work. It is the current that is doubled, not the voltage, so it can deliver up to 5V 1A. Or does the enclosure have a separate 5V power socket? I've seen both types for HDDs.

John

 

yes, it does have separate 5V power socket. which one is better? that 2 headed USB or external power?

 

Either may work, but I would prefer to use the power socket since it is possible that the enclosure's electronics can't handle the extra power through the USB socket.

It will depend in which cable you can find first. Maybe you can borrow one?

John

 

thanks for all the answer. I am planning to buy both and see if I can get it working properly, then if both works, I'll use the USB only.

once again, thanks

 

case solved. thanks. i use external power running on 6Volt

 

Thanks for the update. It was evidently not enough power.

But is it meant to be 6V or 5V?

John

 

supposed to be 5V, but I got no choice but to use 6V. 4V did not work (it worked but not properly), and the next available option is 6.

 

As you have discovered, 6V is OK. However, you might want to look around for one of those switchable electronic power supplies such as this. It can be used for a range of equipment.

John