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General discussion

External USB harddrive failing with my Thinkpad

Apr 1, 2005 1:17AM PST

Specifically, the external USB harddrive is failing to operate when I plug it into the port replicator ... when I plug it directly into the laptop, it works perfectly.

It's wierd ... the USB port in the port replicator works in general ... I can plug in my USB Zip drive or my USB flash drive and they operate fine, but when I plug in the USB harddrive, it lights up for a split second then dies. If I unplug, nothing else will work in the USB port until I reboot ... it's like the port itself is dying for some reason.

Anybody have a clue as to what may be happening here?

thx ...

Discussion is locked

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Many USB hard disks require USB 2.0
Apr 1, 2005 1:19AM PST

And some will not work in a hub. You didn't tell enough detail for me to verify that it's the usual issue.

Bob

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unsure if it is USB 2
Apr 1, 2005 2:18AM PST

It's an IBM "Port Replicator" part # 02K8667 ... I looked it up on IBM.com ... under "expansion ports" it lists "Universal Serial Bus" ... it doesn't specify either 1.1 or 2.0 ... I guess then I should presume it is 1.1?

The laptop itself is a T30 with 2 USB 2.0 ports ... maybe I need to upgrade my port replicator ...