The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Using too many USB devices can damage motherboard?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by DarthWayne, Dec 16, 2009.

  1. DarthWayne

    DarthWayne Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    a friend of mine told me this when he saw lots of USB devices plugged into my laptop and then an USB Hub that too was fully used up.


    although i use an AC powered USB hub..

    just wanted to make sure i am not damaging my new laptop.
     
    DarthWayne, Dec 16, 2009
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

    Reputations:
    5,398
    Messages:
    12,692
    Likes Received:
    2,717
    Trophy Points:
    631
    Of course you are!

    If you wanted it pristine, you should have kept it in the box it came in. :p :D :p

    Your friend isn't considering that:

    1. If it couldn't power all those ports safely - they wouldn't be there.
    2. If it couldn't power all those ports safely - you wouldn't have the notebook there (because of all the safety certifications required).
    3. Bingo! Your externally powered USB Hub.
    4. Even if you did damage the notebook - being new means having warranty, right? ;)


    Me thinks your friend is too cautious, huh?
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 16, 2009
    #2
  3. Explosivpotato

    Explosivpotato Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yeah, if you draw too much current from one USB port (~500mA or so), it just drops the voltage (~5V at nominal), thus limiting you to a total of 500mA PER PORT. The USB's power bus is designed to supply this at all times, and will never supply more.

    Basically, you're in the clear. Don't worry about it.
     
    Explosivpotato, Dec 16, 2009
    #3
  4. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Well, I think it used to be possible to draw to high a current and hence damage the motherboard - nowadays I believe the USB port would just shut down.

    If you use a powered USB Hub then the power draw from the USB port will be minimal - only what is needed to transfer data.

    In this respect, using powered Hubs you can add nearly as much as you like - I believe there is a maximum, but its quite high.
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 16, 2009
    #4
  5. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    914
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The maximum is 127 USB devices apart from the root hub, and even if you plug in that many devices into any computer, you will not damage it.
     
    Razor2, Dec 16, 2009
    #5
  6. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,354
    Messages:
    2,705
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    your friends nuts:

    1: in newer machines ( after 2002 I believe ) USB ports will shut down if you draw too much power through a single port, for example if a cable shorts the 5V line or a device fails catastrophically.

    2: POWERED HUB

    3: as Razor said 127 devece limit on root hub, I have yet to see anything near that yet.
     
    crazycanuk, Dec 16, 2009
    #6