MysteryByte Computers :: View topic - Nexstar 3 2.5 inch external hard drive cable... why 2 USB?

I got one myself. You HAVE TO plug in both USB to work. The one with the pass-thru is only used for power. If you want, you can just plug the other one into the end of that one. I've seen other (cheaper) models that don't have the pass-thru dongle, and that's a pain.

i have a nexstar of that type. i have a 100GB 5400rpm drive in it and i only ever needed the nonpass-through USB plug for it to work right. also, my nexstar has the option for an external power source to be plugged in if you plan on using a drive that requires more power.
now, i broke my stock nexstar USB cable a few months ago and have been using a 10ft USB-A to mini-B cable with zero issues.

It is recommended that BOTH USB plugs be connected to seperate USB ports. However, only the single USB plug is used to interface with the system. The USB plug with a pass-through is used to provide additional power and may not be needed for some hard drives. Make sure that you have the single USB plug firmly connected.

did it end up working?

Author:	lobstaMan [ Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Nexstar 3 2.5 inch external hard drive cable... why 2 USB?
What's the purpose of both of these usb plugs on the cable?

Author:	deandulong [ Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:22 pm ]
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almost looks like to me on is male one is female so you can use the usb plug for more then one piece of hardware thats my guess

Author:	Topsecret66 [ Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:43 pm ]
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Guessing is bad. On another note. the dual usb is needed to supply power to the drive. USB is limited on power it supplies. Thus, they add a second usb. Like 2 power plugs Plug them both in if it doens't power up.

Author:	CMDR Steve-O [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:48 am ]
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I got one myself. You HAVE TO plug in both USB to work. The one with the pass-thru is only used for power. If you want, you can just plug the other one into the end of that one. I've seen other (cheaper) models that don't have the pass-thru dongle, and that's a pain.

Author:	lobstaMan [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:48 am ]
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CMDR Steve-O wrote: I got one myself. You HAVE TO plug in both USB to work. The one with the pass-thru is only used for power. If you want, you can just plug the other one into the end of that one. I've seen other (cheaper) models that don't have the pass-thru dongle, and that's a pain. Yeah I figured that's what it was for and how i've always used mine. The WD Passport externals just have one usb plug .. I use my passport to travel with in my laptop case cuz it has a short cable with only one usb.

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Nexstar 3 2.5 inch external hard drive cable... why 2 USB? http://mysterybyte.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1051	Page 1 of 1

Author:	Flama22 [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:01 pm ]
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That's actually the first time I've seen/heard of two USB plugs to be used like that for power. I just always assumed they came with an AC power source like mine did.

Author:	CMDR Steve-O [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:32 pm ]
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That's the reason I got the Nexstar drive, cuz ya don't need an AC plug. seriously cool!

Author:	Monkeydee [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:54 pm ]
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i have a nexstar of that type. i have a 100GB 5400rpm drive in it and i only ever needed the nonpass-through USB plug for it to work right. also, my nexstar has the option for an external power source to be plugged in if you plan on using a drive that requires more power. now, i broke my stock nexstar USB cable a few months ago and have been using a 10ft USB-A to mini-B cable with zero issues.

Author:	lobstaMan [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:33 pm ]
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Monkeydee wrote: i have a nexstar of that type. i have a 100GB 5400rpm drive in it and i only ever needed the nonpass-through USB plug for it to work right. also, my nexstar has the option for an external power source to be plugged in if you plan on using a drive that requires more power. now, i broke my stock nexstar USB cable a few months ago and have been using a 10ft USB-A to mini-B cable with zero issues. Excellent I have one of those kind of cables from a junked mp3 player .. trying it now .. if it works it'll be perfect.

Author:	lobstaMan [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:33 pm ]
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I've done a lot of reading on this cable issue today and I have seen 3 different ideas on what the 2 usbs are for. 1: Another plug needed for more power. 2: The pass-thru is only needed when something else needs to plug into the usb at same time. 3: The pass-thru is only needed on USB 1.1 systems for more power. Then this straight from Vantec ... Quote: It is recommended that BOTH USB plugs be connected to seperate USB ports. However, only the single USB plug is used to interface with the system. The USB plug with a pass-through is used to provide additional power and may not be needed for some hard drives. Make sure that you have the single USB plug firmly connected.

Author:	Monkeydee [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:17 pm ]
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did it end up working?

Author:	CMDR Steve-O [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:23 pm ]
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Well there ya go, might as well get the more expensive option!

Author:	lobstaMan [ Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:14 pm ]
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Monkeydee wrote: did it end up working? Yes the usb cable from my camera (thought it was from an mp3 player originally) works fine with this drive .. it's a 40gb WD. I transferred about 14 gigs of data to and from the drive and no issues.

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