Fried my work computer

[tinear]

Better off getting a usb hub and hooking into that if possible. At least if you have a problem the hub should be the first thing to go hopefully!

definitly the way to go with any USB peripherals. powered hubs are a must! most 'putes can't handle a device drawing any significant amperage.

here's a link i fast searched that , while not PV related, explains a bit.

Existing USB ports may face trouble powering new breed of peripherals | Berlind’s Testbed | ZDNet.com

[edit - forgot link! ]

[MonkeyMonk]

Thank you! This was a very informative thread!

[Chas]

Further to what's already been said about USB devices, I've just plugged my 901 USB charger into my old laptop, and it doesn't show up as a USB device in USBViewer. So I suspect it's not actually enumerating as a USB device, and therefore the power it draws probably isn't limited at all. So if it wants more than 500 mA....

I certainly won't be plugging it into my new laptop until I can find a spare hub...

[Jim Davis]

I certainly won't be plugging it into my new laptop until I can find a spare hub...

I'd never plug one into my computer. There are two ways to go.
1) A USB hub with external power supply.
2) A 110v to USB adapter. (Quite cheap at Best Buy)

[ApOsTle51]

Further to what's already been said about USB devices, I've just plugged my 901 USB charger into my old laptop, and it doesn't show up as a USB device in USBViewer. So I suspect it's not actually enumerating as a USB device, and therefore the power it draws probably isn't limited at all. So if it wants more than 500 mA....

I certainly won't be plugging it into my new laptop until I can find a spare hub...

you got that the wrong way around .

If the PC doesn't talk with the device then the device is limited to 100mA. It's not until the device communicates with the pc that it can step up to a higher power mode. Because your PC doesnt recognise the usb device it's limited to the low power mode @100mA.
I'm suprised the passthrough's work at all tbh. I have heard tho that they do perform better on a powered hub or a USB power pack.

[Chas]

Yup, looks like I got that wrong
Will put my multimeter on the charger to see what is actually happening.

[Henry ∇ George]

i'll need to go to bestbuy to pick up a couple of usb to wall chargers or a usb hub with enough power assist to run the passthrough and pcc charger i just ordered. the kit i got just had a separate battery to wall charger. i'll just use the usb charger for the usb to car adapter. i have an older dell computer with enough power problems.

[Majestic]

i'll need to go to bestbuy to pick up a couple of usb to wall chargers or a usb hub with enough power assist to run the passthrough and pcc charger i just ordered. the kit i got just had a separate battery to wall charger. i'll just use the usb charger for the usb to car adapter. i have an older dell computer with enough power problems.

A wise move. Depending on the age of your Dell, a lot of the older models were very proprietary in regards to the motherboard and power supply so they're not cheap to replace.

[maureengill]

Kudos....I'm sure your IT person will tell the story for a long time to come

Being in IT....I really do question some of the things people tell the truth about. (although most of the time it does give us a good chuckle...just not in front of the user)

I've had people run over their blackberries with their cars, leave laptops on planes and trains, ect. I've been in IT for 17 years now and some of this stuff never gets old.

Sorry you fried your motherboard....at least they were understanding about it.

Now to make you feel better....
I had a machine from he11 once...you name it I had replaced it and it still had problems (replaced - hard drive - ram- motherboard - processor). After all that I decided to send it back to the manufacturer. Don't you know that UPS stuck a fork from their fork truck completely through it...the manufacturer sent it back to us and tried to say we didn't package it properly. I called them and explained to them that no matter how well I packaged it....they should talk to UPS....since they stuck a fork in it done like a turkey.

Maureen

[Lab]

i had this gateway that needed a driver for the Ethernet card.. i called customer service.. the warranty had expired so they did not want to help me.. I told them all that I needed was for them to tell me the name of the driver so I can download it. they told me that I had to pay $50 to get a year of help.. My reply was dude I should of just bought a ....ty dell.. they laughed and gave me the name of the driver..