Do I need a special USB cable for external drive?
I’ve got a LaCie external drive, that only seems to like select cables, when another is plugged in, it just clicks and doesn’t mount. The only remaining cable that work I’ve got is 9 inches, so I’d like a longer one
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I am not familar with your exact brand but I have one that does use a specific cable that not only transmits data but power also.
I have two LaCie drives and they connect fine using firewire cables.
On certain bus-powered externals (esp. small form factor ones such as 2.5” SATA) require very specific cable lengths due to very finite power requirements (current in milliamps); if the cable is not the original and longer, it may create additional resistance with the additional material, causing a drop in current.
My WD passport 250GB external USB drive is the size of an 8-track tape (remember those?), yet it requires no additional power but the bus. The cable that is included with it is a very specific (short) length, and won’t work with longer cabling.
thanks! =] the original cable was about 2 feet, so I’ll try to find one of similar length
It really depends. I’d suggest reading the manual or looking at the explanations of USB Cables. Make sure you’ve got the right kind of cable.
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