x40 USB ports

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NecessaryEvil · #1 Post by **NecessaryEvil** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:47 am

the 2 USB ports on the left side (VGA side)

I know 1 of them is supposively used to power an optical drive from IBM, and the other one is a regular one.

1. Are they both functional USB ports?
2. I have a Vantec enclosurefor a laptop hdd. It takes the power from a 2nd USB port. Is it possible to use the power USB port to provide the power necessary for the drive?

(I haven't received the X40 or found a manual online that gave a good description of just how this port can be used)

DavidNZ · #2 Post by **DavidNZ** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:42 pm

to be honest, i don't know what the hell that other port (it's the lower one) is good for aside from plugging in an IBM-branded DVD or CD (maybe a portable HDD) unit. From what I can see, it's not even a USB port as it is slightly smaller. It's too big to be mini-USB (or whatever it's called).

I had a look at your enclosure. It looks like it comes with a USB cable that has both male mini and male regular USB connections. That sure is a strange cord. You might be able to power that enclosure just from the one USB port on the X40, but the best way to use a portable HDD, I say, is to have it supplied with power from the mains as well. It means another power adaptor, yes, but it's reliable power.

Riddil · #3 Post by **Riddil** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:54 pm

Holy smokes, you guys threw me off for a sec, I had to go look at the marketing pubs online to make sure I wasn't crazy.

There are 2 USB ports on the X40... one on each side of the system. They are both full USB 2.0 ports, but the port on the left side is a "powered port", meaning that if you have a USB 2.0 device that requires an add'l power source, you've got a place to plug it in even if you're using your system remotely.

FYI, if you get the Ultrabase option then there is a wall that blocks access to that powered left port. But you get an additional 3 USB 2.0 ports on the back of the slice, so it's really not a bad trade-off.

DavidNZ · #4 Post by **DavidNZ** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 2:58 am

yep, two USB ports, that's true, but as for that 'power' connector (which is below the left-hand port), what else other than the IBM portable CD/DVD/whatever uses it? I think it's a proprietary connector, is it not? I'm looking at it now and it doesn't resemble any connector I've seen.

bcx · #5 Post by **bcx** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:59 am

Two USB ports, one on each side. Both can be used normally. The one on the left has the additional proprietary power plug for the IBM optical drive.

Riddil · #6 Post by **Riddil** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:21 am

Yeah, I have no idea what range of devices use that power connector. The port is probably something they added especially for the X-series to give a broader choice for CD/DVD options since there's no bay in the system.

I've got my optical drive in an Ultrabase though, so I've never even looked at those options... and more than likely never will. *shrug*

But yes, most definitely both ports are full USB 2.0 compliant.

tsammyc · #7 Post by **tsammyc** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:27 pm

BTW, if anyone wants to buy the power cord for that proprietary port from IBM, the part number is FRU#22P9215. It costs about $25 and comes with a USB cable as well. The other end of the power connection is a pretty generic power connector, which can be adapted quite easily for other peripherals and keeps the 2nd usb port free for say an external mouse. Output seems to be around 15V

AEmgee · #8 Post by **AEmgee** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:53 pm

tsammyc wrote:BTW, if anyone wants to buy the power cord for that proprietary port from IBM, the part number is FRU#22P9215. It costs about $25 and comes with a USB cable as well. The other end of the power connection is a pretty generic power connector, which can be adapted quite easily for other peripherals and keeps the 2nd usb port free for say an external mouse. Output seems to be around 3V

I have one of these Panasonic portable DVD-RAM drives: http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc ... =LF-P567CU

Anybody know whether I could somehow use the proprietary power cord to provide power to the portable drive? I think not, since the the power adapter that came with the drive has an output of 6V.

tsammyc · #9 Post by **tsammyc** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 8:14 pm

You must check very carefully if the Panasonic drive can accept 15V input. Look at your power adapter output. If it says say 5V, don't try.

AEmgee · #10 Post by **AEmgee** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:50 am

tsammyc wrote:You must check very carefully if the Panasonic drive can accept 15V input. Look at your power adapter output. If it says say 5V, don't try.

It says 6V. The IBM adapter can put out 15V?!?!?

tsammyc · #11 Post by **tsammyc** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:11 am

Yes. I measured it with a multimeter

mikewhitton · #12 Post by **mikewhitton** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:09 am

Which external CD-ROM/DVD drives are compatible with the proprietary power port other than the IBM drives?

neukrisz · #13 Post by **neukrisz** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:08 am

hi All,

I undersood right?
Is this power outlet on X40 not 5V DC???

neukrisz · #14 Post by **neukrisz** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:39 am

tsammyc wrote:Yes. I measured it with a multimeter

How measeured you???
I also measured it, and it's only 3.3V DC!!!!

x40 USB ports

x40 USB ports

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