Old laptops ...

[FisherPal]

Just wonder if anyone else experiences this. I have a laptop that is about ... oh ... five or six years old. I wouldn't have thought it would make any difference because the thing is always plugged in but it appears that I don't quite get the power out of it that I should (or thought I should). For instance, when I first got my passthru, I thought it was 'okay', kind of handy but couldn't understand all the hoopla about it. Until I got the car charger and plugged another one into that. Bam! NOW I knew what people were talking about. So thought it might be that I had a so-so passthru on the laptop. Took it out and tested it on the car charger and it was like a completely different passthru. Same thing if I plug it into my hubby's tower. Tonight I tried charging up my PCC while using the passthru. As soon as I plugged the PCC in, the passthru wouldn't work at all. Even at the best, when I am using it on the laptop, I have to really pull on it to get it to vape properly. Once I unplugged the PCC, the passthru worked again. Weird ...

Does anyone know why this is? I would have thought that simply having the laptop plugged into a power cord would provide all the power that I would need but obviously not. Anyone else have this problem? Is it laptops in general or just because it is as old as I am (in laptop years, that is).

I'm actually kind of hoping that it dies on me one of these days soon and then I have the excuse to buy a new computer - and this one will be a desktop again!

 

[~Gazoo~]

Most USB ports are only rated at 500ma's per port. The cartomizer can draw much more. I intend to do some testing asap and some current measurements and will post the results.

 

[circeseye]

the older laptops usb's are the old version 1.0 that put out less power then the newer 2.0 versions and soon to be 3,0

 

[Cimyss]

and could be just as simple as the USB only being 1.0 instead of 2.0

if it is windows XP I belive with service pack 2 you could dl the patch to convert to usb 2.0 as simple as downloading from windows updates then removeing the device and reinstalling it. THe downside is you will prob need the whole service pack and the patch for it to work and on an older laptop that is gonna take up some space which will in turn kill overall performance. Hope this helps

Also good idea Gazoo

 

[FisherPal]

Thanks for the info, everyone. The 1.0 versus 2.0 makes perfect sense!! As well as the 500 ma, Gazoo. At least now I know the 'why's'. Will be interested in your testing results, Gazoo.

 

[Blooper]

i think its time for a new laptop. newegg it.

 

[FisherPal]

Wouldn't I love to!! May go back to a desk top, though, when the time comes. Newegg it?? Will be spending the rest of the morning trying to figure that one out, lol.

 

[schism61]

Wouldn't I love to!! May go back to a desk top, though, when the time comes. Newegg it?? Will be spending the rest of the morning trying to figure that one out, lol.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
A great place to buy computer equipment

 

[azvagabond]

A self powered usb hub might be a wise investment...I imagine it would work even if not plugged into your lappy...Im going to order one and try it...It would be nice to use the passthrough away from the computer, like maybe on the couch while watching a movie!!! Buttered popcorn ejuice anyone? Or maybe Goober or raisenettes?

 

[Blooper]

i think you can fit a new laptop in your bra.

 

[JenJen]

A self powered usb hub might be a wise investment...I imagine it would work even if not plugged into your lappy...Im going to order one and try it...It would be nice to use the passthrough away from the computer, like maybe on the couch while watching a movie!!! Buttered popcorn ejuice anyone? Or maybe Goober or raisenettes?

I have a usb adaptor that plugs into the wall. It was like $20 at Best Buy. Haven't tried it yet, have only used it to charge my ipod. I will try it tonight and see how it works on the passthrough.

 

[Blooper]

i have the new iphone. It came with a wall plug usb adapter. That works great for the usb pass. Its about an inch all around with a wall plug and a usb port on the other side. Very small but works grrreat.

 

[JenJen]

i have the new iphone. It came with a wall plug usb adapter. That works great for the usb pass. Its about an inch all around with a wall plug and a usb port on the other side. Very small but works grrreat.

Sounds just like what I have. I will have to give it a try.

 

[~Gazoo~]

A self powered usb hub might be a wise investment...I imagine it would work even if not plugged into your lappy...Im going to order one and try it...It would be nice to use the passthrough away from the computer, like maybe on the couch while watching a movie!!! Buttered popcorn ejuice anyone? Or maybe Goober or raisenettes?

They do work but if you want something cheap and portable get this:

Battery holder: AA x 4 with USB interface connector and Belt clip ("On" / "OFF" power switch) - RoHS Compliant

I do recommend using rechargable batteries because they will hold up much better. Personally I love Sanyo Eneloop rechargables, but any good rechargeable will do nicely.

I am looking at other things like the solar powered USB devices. There are some good deals on ebay. I am not so interested they have the capability to recharge in the sun as I am in that they are a good deal. The cheapest one I could find puts out 1 amp. Funny how the cheapest one puts out the most current but also has the smallest built in battery. But I think it's just about perfect.

Solar Battery Panel USB Charger for MP3 Cell Phone PDA - eBay (item 390083329146 end time Oct-17-09 02:44:33 PDT)

 

[kc0cmp]

Just wonder if anyone else experiences this. I have a laptop that is about ... oh ... five or six years old. I wouldn't have thought it would make any difference because the thing is always plugged in but it appears that I don't quite get the power out of it that I should (or thought I should). For instance, when I first got my passthru, I thought it was 'okay', kind of handy but couldn't understand all the hoopla about it. Until I got the car charger and plugged another one into that. Bam! NOW I knew what people were talking about. So thought it might be that I had a so-so passthru on the laptop. Took it out and tested it on the car charger and it was like a completely different passthru. Same thing if I plug it into my hubby's tower. Tonight I tried charging up my PCC while using the passthru. As soon as I plugged the PCC in, the passthru wouldn't work at all. Even at the best, when I am using it on the laptop, I have to really pull on it to get it to vape properly. Once I unplugged the PCC, the passthru worked again. Weird ...

Does anyone know why this is? I would have thought that simply having the laptop plugged into a power cord would provide all the power that I would need but obviously not. Anyone else have this problem? Is it laptops in general or just because it is as old as I am (in laptop years, that is).

I'm actually kind of hoping that it dies on me one of these days soon and then I have the excuse to buy a new computer - and this one will be a desktop again!

Laptops only have so much to go around anyhow, and older ones came out before there was much of a demand for USB accessories...as USB became more and more popular (and it is still gaining popularity as a power source) the available current from a USB plug increases.

I have a nifty thing i plug in the wall to power my USB, because for one: i fear blowing my usb bridge again (had a USB outboard storage drive toast one)

Second: I know how much my wall thingie can produce, and consequently, i dont have to guess if i have too much crap on my USB. I mean i have my Microsoft force feedback joystick, my webcam, my passthrough...if i add a PCC, were gettin treacherously close to the limit on my not particularly expensive motherboard LOL.

of course the "thingie" cost me like 22 dollars and produces 2 amps, so i can tandem passthrough vape if i like or charge a PCC and vape, and a couple batteries too...and charge my phone..

oh god yes, far too many USB devices I have, More power I need.

 

[dohsma]

Laptops only have to much to go around anyhow, and older ones came out before there was much of a demand for USB accessories...as USB became more and more popular (and it is still gaining popularity as a power source) the available current from a USB plug increases.

I have a nifty thing i plug in the wall to power my USB, because for one: i fear blowing my usb bridge again (had a USB outboard storage drive toast one)

Second: I know how much my wall thingie can produce, and consequently, i dont have to guess if i have too much crap on my USB. I mean i have my Microsoft force feedback joystick, my webcam, my passthrough...if i add a PCC, were gettin treacherously close to the limit on my not particularly expensive motherboard LOL.

of course the "thingie" cost me like 22 dollars and produces 2 amps, so i can tandem passthrough vape if i like or charge a PCC and vape, and a couple batteries too...and charge my phone..

oh god yes, far too many USB devices I have, More power I need.

2 amps KC that's good stuff. I'm going to buy a Kensignton one of these days. It does 5V and 1.5amps on the go.

 

[FisherPal]

i think you can fit a new laptop in your bra.

Now why didn't I think of that? You're probably right, Blooper!!

 

[FisherPal]

kc0cmp - as usual, you are a wealth of info!! I love reading your posts. Actually, I peeked into the forum at work today and read some of the earlier replies so headed to Future Shop after work and bought what I thought (famous last words) was a wall outlet USB plug-in thingie. It appears that maybe it is only to be used as a 'charger' to IPods and stuff and absolutely nothing comes through the passthru. Bummer ... I can always take it back though. But I am puzzled. I mean it has a regular plug in that goes into my power cord and, of course, the USB connection so I would have thought that would work just fine. Any thoughts? Maybe I got a bad unit? I even looked to see if there was some sort of 'on/off' switch on the thing.

Ahhh ... I just unplugged it and took another look. It says it is good for 500 ma. Blast! That's not enough juice, right?

 

[bornagainst]

Fisherpal, did you get a passthrough with your 510 kit back in the day? Mine came with a wallplug that you can plug a USB cable into it. That could work. no?

 

[kc0cmp]

Fisherpal, did you get a passthrough with your 510 kit back in the day? Mine came with a wallplug that you can plug a USB cable into it. That could work. no?

some do and some dont, the little cheapies that weigh nothing like came with my daxian t32+ phone does not, insufficient amperage wont even power a 901 PT. the 4 hole kensington beast i bought on ebay somewhere, that baby will do two PTs at once... If only steve could find a nice cheap supplier of such gizmos in china. I had to get it, i'm not *always* at my computer....really!