USB 3 ext hard disk via micro USB port?

Discussion in 'hardware' started by aigle, Mar 13, 2014.

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  1. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    Can micro USB port of a tablet provide enough power to run an external USB 3 hard disk? I recently bought WD My Passport Ultra USB 3 hard disk. It works fine on my XP laptop via USB 2 port but when I connect it to my Windows 8 tablet via micro USB 2 port, it doesn't work. I suspect the issue is the power supply( I am assuming that micro port supplies less power than a standard port that is not enough to run an external disk).

    Any ideas? Thanks
     
    aigle, Mar 13, 2014
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  2. nosirrah

    nosirrah Malware Fighter

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    Powered USB is a feature of desktops and many laptops, I am not sure I have seen a tablet with this feature yet.
     
    nosirrah, Mar 13, 2014
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  3. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

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    Two different things. All USB devices receive power through the USB port. Sometimes it is enough for the device to work, sometimes is not. In these cases, an external power supply must be used. Some devices can be connected to two USB ports, to draw more power (not permitted according to the official specifications, it seems).

    "Powered USB" refers to a port that allows a USB device to be charged when it is connected to the powered port and the computer is turned off.
     
    Robin A., Mar 13, 2014
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