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alanm
Has a life
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 12:21 pm Posts: 93 Location: Newport, Shropshire
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hi, Does anyone know a way to boost the output of USB ports on a laptop. Is there any software available for this purpose
OS is windows XP proffesional.
regards
Alan
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Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:20 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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What do you mean when you say "boost the output"?
Do you mean the power output or speed?
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Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:22 pm |
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mars-bar-man
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:00 pm Posts: 940 Location: Pompy
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You can boost the speed of them, can't remember how, but be warned, it can cause your USB ports to crash.
_________________Just your friendly neighbourhood mars-bar-man.flickr
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Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:41 pm |
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alanm
Has a life
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 12:21 pm Posts: 93 Location: Newport, Shropshire
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thanks for the input
I need to boost the power output. A friend of mine did this on a linux installation, just wondered if there was a piece of software available for windows.
cheers
Alan
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Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:22 pm |
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mars-bar-man
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:00 pm Posts: 940 Location: Pompy
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I cba to power down my PC and find out, but could you do it in the BIOS?
_________________Just your friendly neighbourhood mars-bar-man.flickr
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Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:33 am |
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JJW009
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:58 pm Posts: 8767 Location: behind the sofa
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If you fry the 5v USB line on the laptop, then you'll be dependant on an external powered hub to use any USB devices and may well find you also lose any PS2 ports too.
Laptops have small components and poor ventilation. Even if it's possible to overide the 500mA current limit, please be aware of the possible consequences. I've seen enough laptops with fried ports just from using badly designed USB devices (mostly early iPods) without doing it on purpose. Especially in this weather!!
Note, some Apple laptops do have high-powered ports to run the "super dooper drive". They're designed that way in hardware using high current components.
_________________jonbwfc's law: "In any forum thread someone will, no matter what the subject, mention Firefly." When you're feeling too silly for x404, youRwired.net
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Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:52 pm |
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John_Vella
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:55 am Posts: 7935 Location: Manchester.
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I've seen some USB drives that need a splitter cable, to take the power from 2 USB ports, but I wouldn't risk trying to boost the power output of one port. Too risky for me.
_________________John Vella BSc (Hons), PGCE - Still the official forum prankster and crude remarker  Sorry  I'll behave now. Promise 
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Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:02 pm |
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