Laptop HDs: IDE to SATA via USB2

[Tom]

Western Digital 5400 Internal HD 160GB
WinXP Pro SP3
Dell D600, 2 USB2 ports
Enclosure case is NextStar SX by Vantec; BusPower DC 5V/500ma (same as IDEs
by same company)

I've attempted to clone a 160GB IDE HD to an external SATA 160GB HD. I can
clone IDE to IDE 160GBs but to go from 160GB IDE to 160GB SATA I have gotten
errors. The main display error is 'too much power on USB port'. When I've
gone into Computer Management and attempted to see the drive, I don't see it.
Same for Windows Explorer as the drive doesn't show - or - if it does
momentarily the drive becomes non-useable. I can put the drive on a different
computer (workstation/server) and see the contents but on the laptop I can't
use the drive nor can I see anything. Computer Management basically wants me
to format the drive. [The data is quite dated so I could format the HD but
I'm not sure this will solve things.]
What are my options beside just not using it on my laptop?
TIA!

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Western Digital 5400 Internal HD 160GB
WinXP Pro SP3
Dell D600, 2 USB2 ports
Enclosure case is NextStar SX by Vantec; BusPower DC 5V/500ma (same as
IDEs
by same company)

I've attempted to clone a 160GB IDE HD to an external SATA 160GB HD. I
can
clone IDE to IDE 160GBs but to go from 160GB IDE to 160GB SATA I have
gotten
errors. The main display error is 'too much power on USB port'. When
I've
gone into Computer Management and attempted to see the drive, I don't see
it.
Same for Windows Explorer as the drive doesn't show - or - if it does
momentarily the drive becomes non-useable. I can put the drive on a
different
computer (workstation/server) and see the contents but on the laptop I
can't
use the drive nor can I see anything. Computer Management basically wants
me
to format the drive. [The data is quite dated so I could format the HD
but
I'm not sure this will solve things.]
What are my options beside just not using it on my laptop?
TIA!

The error you're seeing is from the port hardware and has nothing to with
cloning or the OS.

USB ports provide a maximum of one-half amp. Hard disks typically draw
twice that.

This is why bus-powered USB drives and cases come with a 3-headed cable.
You must plug the two host ends into two separate USB ports, or off a
powered hub that itself is powered by an adapter that provides in excess of
one amp.

Try a different pair of ports.

HTH
-pk

 

[SC Tom]

Western Digital 5400 Internal HD 160GB
WinXP Pro SP3
Dell D600, 2 USB2 ports
Enclosure case is NextStar SX by Vantec; BusPower DC 5V/500ma (same as
IDEs
by same company)

I've attempted to clone a 160GB IDE HD to an external SATA 160GB HD. I
can
clone IDE to IDE 160GBs but to go from 160GB IDE to 160GB SATA I have
gotten
errors. The main display error is 'too much power on USB port'. When
I've
gone into Computer Management and attempted to see the drive, I don't see
it.
Same for Windows Explorer as the drive doesn't show - or - if it does
momentarily the drive becomes non-useable. I can put the drive on a
different
computer (workstation/server) and see the contents but on the laptop I
can't
use the drive nor can I see anything. Computer Management basically wants
me
to format the drive. [The data is quite dated so I could format the HD
but
I'm not sure this will solve things.]
What are my options beside just not using it on my laptop?
TIA!

You're dragging down your USB power with that hard drive (as Patrick said).
Small powered external USB hubs are cheap anymore; I got a 7-port by Zonet
for $15, and it's 3x2.38x.5 inches, and the power supply for it isn't very
big either. I got it because my Joytech Xbox 360 controller was dragging my
notebook down, causing it to lock up or just plain turn itself off. Since
using it, no problems.

SC Tom

 

[Woody]

Try connecting it to the laptop through a powered hub. Sounds like your
laptop cannot supply enough current.....