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Thread ID: 78403 2007-04-14 02:18:00 Seagate External Hard Drive Instructions dolby digital (5073) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
540912 2007-04-14 02:18:00 Hi,

Just purchased an external hard drive on sale at Harvey Norman (no Greg, I don't work for them :) ). Believe it or not, I read the instructions for said item before I used it and I found this statement:

Warning: Do not connect the USB cable to any USB ports on the front of your desktop computer or monitor, as it could cause the external hard drive to malfunction.

Now I presume what they really mean, is that you need a "full power" usb port, not one from that has been split via a usb hub.
dolby digital (5073)
540913 2007-04-14 02:22:00 Wouldn't it go by power anyway?

In which case, it shouldnt matter what USB port its plugged into?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
540914 2007-04-14 02:24:00 Wouldn't it go by power anyway?

In which case, it shouldnt matter what USB port its plugged into?


Dolby didn't specify if it was a 2.5" or 3.5" drive, so it could possibly be drawing power off the USB connection.
somebody (208)
540915 2007-04-14 02:28:00 I've got a Maxtor one with the USB plugged into the side/front of my Coolermaster case... no problem at all and as Speedy said- it does have a separate power cord.

Can't see how plugging a usb into front/monitor would be different to straight into the back on the box, but of course being a male I would definitely follow the instructions just in case :D

Reading instructions is always a bad move... just causes problems!
Shortcircuit (1666)
540916 2007-04-14 02:28:00 Dolby didn't specify if it was a 2.5" or 3.5" drive, so it could possibly be drawing power off the USB connection.

Well true. Altho it shouldnt really matter what USB port its plugged into.

Some external USB 2 devices, tho dont like being plugged into USB hubs.

Which is pretty stupid, isnt that why they made USB hubs?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
540917 2007-04-14 02:48:00 Warning: Do not connect the USB cable to any USB ports on the front of your desktop computer or monitor, as it could cause the external hard drive to malfunction.


Because, if it the connectors are those ones where you have each pin separate, the person who assmbled it could have wired it up wrong in which case it could stuff the USB part of your external drive.

I killed an adapter that way once, plugged it in to someones front ports and that was it.
Had a look and they had the wires connected up wrong. The owner told me after! that he could never get front USB to work...............
pctek (84)
540918 2007-04-14 02:55:00 Yes sorry, not all information was supplied...

Its a 250GB, 3.5" with an external power supply. They are $150.00 which ain't to bad. Note this is a local special as HD has just come to town... all local PC assemblers have now gone out of business :(

Pctek, well yes, it could be wired incorrectly but assuming it is (and professionally assembled pc's should be wired correctly). I presume the USB 2.0 headers on the motherboard are full power ones.
dolby digital (5073)
540919 2007-04-14 08:17:00 Warning: Do not connect the USB cable to any USB ports on the front of your desktop computer or monitor, as it could cause the external hard drive to malfunction.
Arrrgh! How I despise the writer who warns the user "don't do this" without explaining properly. And what do they mean by 'malfunction' - it won't go? - it will delete all files? - it will burst into flames? - something even worse?
It's a bit like buying an umbrella to find the instructions say "do not use in wet conditions."
coldot (6847)
540920 2007-04-14 08:40:00 I am about to connect it to a Linux powered network serving device. I wonder if that will invalidate the warranty on the external hard drive :stare: dolby digital (5073)
540921 2007-04-14 08:47:00 Arrrgh! How I despise the writer who warns the user "don't do this" without explaining properly. And what do they mean by 'malfunction' - it won't go? - it will delete all files? - it will burst into flames? - something even worse?
It's a bit like buying an umbrella to find the instructions say "do not use in wet conditions."

Yes, it is a rather strange statement. I can image taking it back if it fails...

"Did you connect it to a front usb port, sir"
"Yes, I did"
"Well thats your problem, it states in the operating instructions..."
"But... but...it shouldn't make any difference what-so-ever"
"Sorry sir, it clearly states this in the instructions, we cannot replace it under warranty"
We now have a 6TB model on special this week for $1200. How would you to pay for that sir
dolby digital (5073)
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