I'm talkin about the desktop ones, not the portable. Thank you
2007-09-22 14:36:18 · 8 answers · asked by smilest_16_2002 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
Depends on the drive, connection, and the bridge interface in the external drive's case.
Any drive that is eSATA will require a power adapter.
eSATA only carries data, and nothing else.
USB optical drives will need a power adapter. USB hard drives with 3.5 inch mechanisms will need a power adapter. Some USB hard drives with 2.5 inch mechanisms require a power adapter, some come with a second USB cable specifically for power, and some can run off of the USB cable by itself. USB hard drives with 1.8 inch or smaller mechanisms will run just off of the USB cable.
USB carries both data and 5 volts of power at 500 MA.
Any Firewire hard drive or optical drive connected to a computer with a 4 pin (data-only) cable will require an external power adapter. Most Firewire hard drives with 2.5 inch mechanisms connected to a computer with a 6 pin (Firewire 400) or 9 pin (Firewire 800) cable shouldn't need an external power adapter, as long as it's the only device connected and drawing power. Some Firewire hard drives with a single 3.5 inch mechanism won't require a power adapter, but most will. Any dual-mechanism Firewire drive Most Firewire optical drives will require a power adapter, though some made for notebook computers will not.
Powered Firewire ports carry data and power 12 volts at 1 amp. Unpowered Firewire ports only carry data.
2007-09-22 15:31:21 · answer #1 · answered by been there done that got shirt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your external drive does not come with a power adapter, it doesn't need it. But some USB ports do not provide enough power. Some of these external drives have a power connector but no power adapter. Now that's really LAME. That means that you would have to buy the power adapter separately.
If you bought this from a reliable vendor or store, then you just might have to TAKE IT BACK and try something else.
Good luck and Happy Computing!
2007-09-22 21:44:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some External hard drivers need to be plugged into the mains plug. some will run off the usb port power. it depends in which type of hard driver you get.... here is a good tip for you...
Buy a 3.5 laptop hard drive with a external case to fit it..that way if you're transporting it about it will fit into your, pocket, purse or shoulder bag. it is not much bigger than the palm of your hand..
to see what I mean look one up at :--
2007-09-22 21:58:17 · answer #3 · answered by Carling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you do there should be 2 plugs going from your external hard drive
1. A power cable into an outlet.
2. And a USB 2.0 cable into your computer
2007-09-22 21:43:30 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The bigger ones with the faster drives yes. Some smaller drives that run 5400rpm are powered by USB 2.0 thou.
Althou you can get them cheaper this is about the best USB powered external made and its 250GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136139
2007-09-22 21:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by s j 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
External drives require power. Unless you can get enough through the USB port (unlikely) you have to plug it in to a wall socket. I doubt there are any USB-powered large capacity harddrives.
2007-09-22 21:43:29 · answer #6 · answered by Sp II Guzzi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do with mine - it has a power lead that goes to the wall and a usb that goes to the computer.
2007-09-22 21:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by Debi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's depand on what you buying,
If you buy the 3.5 " most of the cases it's Usb port so you don't need to connect it to wall,
but if you buy the 5.25" in most of them you have a cases that have to connect to wall.
2007-09-22 21:45:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋