Netbook Issue -- Underpowered

larkahn · 07-21-2010, 02:24 AM

When using Calibre with my Toshiba netbook, 1) Calibre doesn't detect the USB connection 2) When I try to "save as", Calibre either hangs or is very slow.

I also have issues with the netbook taking a long time to detect the Nook, or to even navigate through Windows Explorer. It takes a long time for Adobe Digital Editions to detect the Nook, but it's either slow or hangs when transferring a book to the Nook from within.

To make a long story short, these are not Nook or Calibre issues. When I called Nook support, they agreed that the netbook (Atom processor) is underpowered (current-wise, not processor-wise). I'm looking into whether a Y-connector (the micro USB into the Nook with 2 USB plugs going into the computer) will boost the power.

toddos · 07-21-2010, 03:04 AM

If you're sure it's a power-related issue, why not try a powered USB hub? That's sure to work, while a 2-to-1 USB cable (does such a thing even exist outside of special-use applications) probably won't.

DoctorOhh · 07-21-2010, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddos

If you're sure it's a power-related issue, why not try a powered USB hub? That's sure to work.

I have to agree with the powered hub idea.

larkahn · 07-21-2010, 06:01 AM

Among the reasons and reluctance for trying to hub approach is 1) I bought the netbook not for it's power, but for mobility, and a hub would be just one more thing to carry around 2) Not all devices work with hubs -- some must be connected into a direct USB port of a computer. I am, of course, willing to try the hub approach.

Regarding the Y-connector, I have a Y-connector mini USB to 2 USB plugs which some underpowered external hard drives use (e.g. a 1.8 inch 120 gb drive). All that is necessary to try this approach is to go to Radio Shack which has a female mini USB-male micro plug adapter.

DoctorOhh · 07-21-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larkahn

Regarding the Y-connector, I have a Y-connector mini USB to 2 USB plugs which some underpowered external hard drives use (e.g. a 1.8 inch 120 gb drive). All that is necessary to try this approach is to go to Radio Shack which has a female mini USB-male micro plug adapter.

Since you have the cable, get an adapter and give it a go.

Lady Fitzgerald · 07-21-2010, 12:35 PM

Many USB powered external optical drives designed for netbooks and laptops come with a Y cable that plugs into two USB ports so they draw enough power to run the drive.

theducks · 07-21-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Many USB powered external optical drives designed for netbooks and laptops come with a Y cable that plugs into two USB ports so they draw enough power to run the drive.

And many powered USB Hubs supply a wall wart only good enough to power ONE port device (500mA)

The specification is 500mA maximum PER port. Any device that can not do this should have their USB logo invalidated

Some devices now support USB+power (originally created for the POS industry, More 5V and 12V(green coded plug) and even 24V (Red Coded plug) for power hungry accessories. Expecting 2 USB ports to share nicely

is naive design.

Lady Fitzgerald · 07-21-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

And many powered USB Hubs supply a wall wart only good enough to power ONE port device (500mA)

The specification is 500mA maximum PER port. Any device that can not do this should have their USB logo invalidated

Some devices now support USB+power (originally created for the POS industry, More 5V and 12V(green coded plug) and even 24V (Red Coded plug) for power hungry accessories. Expecting 2 USB ports to share nicely

is naive design.

I never said it was the greatest design since flush toilets. But most newer computers can put out more juice in the USB than the older ones did. Manufactuers of peripherals like the optical drive I have for my netbook want to capitalize on that added power to increase speed, etc. (nothing wrong with that; it's called progress). The double USB cable is an inexpensive kludge to maintain compatability with older machines or ones that have less power by design, like netbooks.

chaley · 07-21-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Many USB powered external optical drives designed for netbooks and laptops come with a Y cable that plugs into two USB ports so they draw enough power to run the drive.

Be careful using Y cables or multiple power connections on devices that were not designed for it. It is easy to burn things up (I have seen it done). The problem is that the devices are not designed to properly isolate one power supply from the other. If the ground (earth) leads are not properly isolated, then you get 'neutral fault' short-circuits that will burn up power supplies and the devices connected to them faster than you can say 'boo'.

Some of you who have played with building-to-building cat-5 network cables might have seen this phenomenon in a slightly different setting -- ground differentials. I have been thrown across a room by touching one end of a grounded cable that was plugged into a switch in another building. Not at all fun.

larkahn · 07-23-2010, 01:05 AM

A USB hub or Y connector did not help. Since I began to have trouble with slower access of some other USB devices, I suspected an OS problem. I did a system recovery on the Toshiba netbook and now there are no problems. I probably loaded in too many apps and something caused a conflict somewhere. Problem solved. I can access the Nook directory easily, Calibre detects it, as does Adobe Digital Edition.

DoctorOhh · 07-23-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larkahn

Problem solved. I can access the Nook directory easily, Calibre detects it, as does Adobe Digital Edition.

Excellent! Thanks for the update.

07-21-2010, 02:24 AM	#1
larkahn Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: PocketBook InkPad 3/Galaxy A31 phone/Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet	Netbook Issue -- Underpowered When using Calibre with my Toshiba netbook, 1) Calibre doesn't detect the USB connection 2) When I try to "save as", Calibre either hangs or is very slow. I also have issues with the netbook taking a long time to detect the Nook, or to even navigate through Windows Explorer. It takes a long time for Adobe Digital Editions to detect the Nook, but it's either slow or hangs when transferring a book to the Nook from within. To make a long story short, these are not Nook or Calibre issues. When I called Nook support, they agreed that the netbook (Atom processor) is underpowered (current-wise, not processor-wise). I'm looking into whether a Y-connector (the micro USB into the Nook with 2 USB plugs going into the computer) will boost the power.

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07-21-2010, 03:04 AM	#2
toddos Guru Posts: 695 Karma: 822675 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo Aura, Nokia Lumia 920 (Freda)	If you're sure it's a power-related issue, why not try a powered USB hub? That's sure to work, while a 2-to-1 USB cable (does such a thing even exist outside of special-use applications) probably won't.

07-21-2010, 06:01 AM	#4
larkahn Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: PocketBook InkPad 3/Galaxy A31 phone/Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet	Among the reasons and reluctance for trying to hub approach is 1) I bought the netbook not for it's power, but for mobility, and a hub would be just one more thing to carry around 2) Not all devices work with hubs -- some must be connected into a direct USB port of a computer. I am, of course, willing to try the hub approach. Regarding the Y-connector, I have a Y-connector mini USB to 2 USB plugs which some underpowered external hard drives use (e.g. a 1.8 inch 120 gb drive). All that is necessary to try this approach is to go to Radio Shack which has a female mini USB-male micro plug adapter.

07-21-2010, 12:35 PM	#6
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	Many USB powered external optical drives designed for netbooks and laptops come with a Y cable that plugs into two USB ports so they draw enough power to run the drive.

07-23-2010, 01:05 AM	#10
larkahn Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: PocketBook InkPad 3/Galaxy A31 phone/Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet	A USB hub or Y connector did not help. Since I began to have trouble with slower access of some other USB devices, I suspected an OS problem. I did a system recovery on the Toshiba netbook and now there are no problems. I probably loaded in too many apps and something caused a conflict somewhere. Problem solved. I can access the Nook directory easily, Calibre detects it, as does Adobe Digital Edition.