USB3 ExpressCard Power Issues

Sidebar Sidebar
R

robablob1

Commendable
Aug 4, 2016
2
0
1,510
Hi,

I purchased a USB3 1TB external hard disk and as my laptop only has UB2 port, I decided to get a USB3 Express Card. All plugs in fine and drive is detected. Problem is that the drive starts beeping when I'm transferring data (yes beeping, not clicking). Based on some research I've done I think the Express Card is not providing enough power the the hard drive. I'm using a Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB which is powered purely by USB port. The Express Card is from a company named CSL.

So I have been researching and it seems perhaps I can buy a USB Y cable to draw more power.. at least I think that's correct. Question is, I'm not sure if the lack of power is to the entire Express Card in which case using both ports of it will at best do nothing and at worst ,melt my motherboard. So that's my beginner's level question if anyone can answer it, i.e. Would using both ports of the USB3 Express Card via a Y cable potentially fix this issue?

My advanced question is, if I plug one of the Y cable connectors into a standard USB 2 slot and the other into my Express Card's USB3 slot, will I still get USB3 transfer speeds?

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

R
 
Solution
webworkings
You shouldn't have need the express card, unless the plug was different somehow than a standard USB cord. You should be able to directly plug a USB3 device into a USB2 port. USB devices are made to be backwards compatible. USB 2.0 devices will work in USB 1.0 ports and USB 3.0 devices work in USB 2.0 ports. USB3 can actually even work in USB1. However, that said, USB3 doe shave different internal connection then USB2 which, while backwards compatible with 2, USB2 ports can't supports USB3 devices at USB3 speeds.

Oh and the second port on the card you have isn't for attaching itself through both to the computer. It is so you can attach another device at the same time. So no need for a Y connector.

Also, you can't convert USB2 to USB3...
Sort by date Sort by votes
webworkings

webworkings

Titan
Apr 6, 2016
25,136
261
113,340
You shouldn't have need the express card, unless the plug was different somehow than a standard USB cord. You should be able to directly plug a USB3 device into a USB2 port. USB devices are made to be backwards compatible. USB 2.0 devices will work in USB 1.0 ports and USB 3.0 devices work in USB 2.0 ports. USB3 can actually even work in USB1. However, that said, USB3 doe shave different internal connection then USB2 which, while backwards compatible with 2, USB2 ports can't supports USB3 devices at USB3 speeds.

Oh and the second port on the card you have isn't for attaching itself through both to the computer. It is so you can attach another device at the same time. So no need for a Y connector.

Also, you can't convert USB2 to USB3. It just doesn't work that way. However having the USB3 device is smarter as it will be ready when you have the better port and when we get better speed devices.

A USB2 port would not be able to give you the higher speeds with USB3 device (not even with the express card). However, even with a USB3 port you wouldn't get the 'advertised' speeds. When someone does finally make an affordable flash drive, that can move data through at 3gbps, if that happens, USB 3.0 ports & devices will be able to handle it.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
R

robablob1

Commendable
Aug 4, 2016
2
0
1,510
Hi,

Thanks for your response. I bought the expresscard because I want to take advantage of the USB3 speed. My laptop only has USB2 ports and the drive works fine with these, but I'm trying to get better transfer speeds which the expresscard definitely can offer, even if not the same speed as a direct USB3 port. My question about the Y connector was that more power could perhaps be drawn from my laptop using 2 connectors in 2 separate ports - so if this is a power issue it might help.

I think I will order a y cable in any case to try it.
Thanks



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

drdalek
  • Question
Question Laptop can't power everything
Replies
0
Views
818
Laptop Tech Support
drdalek
drdalek
T
Question Android + Car w/o Bluetooth: Have tried many y-splitters so I can CHARGE cell and PLAY music to car 3.5mm aux port--will only do one and not both!
Replies
0
Views
1K
Android Smartphones
techie2532
T
C
Question usb-c port as a power port???
Replies
2
Views
2K
Laptop Tech Support
corvairbob
C
J
  • Question
Question USB devices not connecting through any port / adapter
Replies
6
Views
3K
Laptop Tech Support
rgd1101
rgd1101
wfletchb
  • Question
Info USB3/USB4 charging issue experience
Replies
3
Views
2K
Laptop Tech Support
COLGeek
COLGeek

TRENDING THREADS

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom