External USB HDD power anomaly

External USB HDD power anomaly

I have an Amilo Pro laptop with an attached HDD in external USB enclosure. I can't reliably shut down my laptop, and sometimes, I can't start it when the external drive is plugged in. Rarely, my laptop doesn't start at all even after I unplugged the device. I have to power cycle several times before it is willing to start. When the computer is running, everything seems to be fine.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 229

Total answers/comments: 1

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Guest [Entry]

"What exactly is a USB rack?

I have never heard of a laptop being able to take power from USB to power anything in the laptop. I think your laptop has either power supply issues or motherboard issues. As you stated below, this leads me to believe that it is a power supply or mb issue.

Rarely, my laptop doesn't start at all even after I unplugged the device.

I could see a laptop being damaged if somehow power was sent back through the USB connection, but that is not how it works most of the time. Any more details on this rack device?

EDIT: You sound like you have a USB hub in between the external hard drive and the laptop. Is this correct? Some devices do not like certain USB hubs/port splitters, especialy the ones that do not provide any extra power. It sounds like this one is powered maybe? Does the hard drive work ok plugged in directly to the laptop? Does it act the same way no matter which USB port on the laptop it is plugged into?

EDIT 2: Ok, sounds like you just have an external hard drive enclosure. I looked up that model and saw what you mean. That drive has it's own power supply, so it should not have any trouble getting a signal from the computer. Beside the powering up issues, does it work fine otherwise?"