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    Will pcmcia card power device?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by pbolden, Aug 11, 2010.

  1. pbolden

    pbolden Newbie

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    Hello Everyone,

    Can someone tell me if a usb2/firewire pcmcia laptop adapter card can power a portable usb/firewire drive?

    Thanks,
    Paul
     
    pbolden, Aug 11, 2010
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    I am almost 100% certain that the Firewire port will not provide enough current (if any), but you may have a chance with the USB 2 port and a current 2.5" notebook drive.

    Certainly depends on the specific pcmcia adaptor in question whether it will/can provide power - most can't/won't.

    Good luck.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Aug 11, 2010
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    It would be helpful to know which PCMCIA adapter the OP is looking at. PCMCIA devices are extremely power limited.....

    Or the OP could look up the user manual for the adapter they intend to use.

    Also, there are two kinds of 1394/firewire connectors/cables. The four pin cables do NOT carry power. The six pin cables MAY carry power but this is completely dependent on the ability of the host adapter (pcmcia/pci/whatever) to supply power.
     
    newsposter, Aug 11, 2010
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  4. timfountain

    timfountain Notebook Consultant

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    I have 2 PCMCIA to USB 2.0 adapters (different manufacturers) and both of them have a small power adapter that you plug into another USB or PS/2 power to give extra power to the USB peripheral(s). Neither of them can supply enough power to run an external HDD without this cable. YMMV but in general I think they won't work without some kind of power boosting cable....

    - Tim
     
    timfountain, Aug 11, 2010
    #4