Maxtor External Hard Drive power supply problem

[+++Bobby \O\+++]

I have been using two 40GB external Maxtor hard drives for about two years.
(Model 3000LE). All of a sudden, both power supplies, within a few days of
each other, went bad (Indicated by the LED flashing on the power supply
itself when not plugged into the drives - the green light should be glowing
continuously). Maxtor tech support told me this means the power supplies
are bad. I am trying to locate two power supplies for this model as they
cost $30 each at the Maxtor store. For another $60, I could buy quite a bit
in the way of Maxtor external drives on EBay. Unfortunately, I just bought
a 40GB hard drive for one of the Maxtors because one of the drives, itself,
went bad. If I can't get two power supplies, the new drive I just bought is
worthless. Apparently, the power supplies are identical for the 5000 series
Maxtor external drives. Can anyone help? Thanks........

 

[R. McCarty]

You might want to cut your losses and just buy standard External USB
cases and move the drives. I own a Maxtor 5000LE. It's OK, I guess
but runs way too hot. My new FireLite 40 Gig runs circles around the
Maxtor and uses USB power for the 2.5" Samsung drive. You can get
better cases with proper ventilation (Which the LE series doesn't have)
for what the Power Supplies will cost you.

 

[old jon]

I have been using two 40GB external Maxtor hard drives for about two years.
(Model 3000LE). All of a sudden, both power supplies, within a few days of
each other, went bad (Indicated by the LED flashing on the power supply
itself when not plugged into the drives - the green light should be glowing
continuously). Maxtor tech support told me this means the power supplies
are bad. I am trying to locate two power supplies for this model as they
cost $30 each at the Maxtor store. For another $60, I could buy quite a
bit in the way of Maxtor external drives on EBay. Unfortunately, I just
bought a 40GB hard drive for one of the Maxtors because one of the drives,
itself, went bad. If I can't get two power supplies, the new drive I just
bought is worthless. Apparently, the power supplies are identical for the
5000 series Maxtor external drives. Can anyone help? Thanks........

Hi B. Makes you wonder, when you see the price of the ATX psu.
Can`t you find a friend to solder\connect the input leads to an ATX ?.
bw..OJ

 

[+++Bobby \O\+++]

You might want to cut your losses and just buy standard External USB
cases and move the drives. I own a Maxtor 5000LE. It's OK, I guess
but runs way too hot. My new FireLite 40 Gig runs circles around the
Maxtor and uses USB power for the 2.5" Samsung drive.

Please explain what you mean by "runs circles around the Maxtors."
Where do I get a FireLite drive - I'm not familiar with the name.
I tend to agree with you about the Maxtors running hot - and maybe I should
cut my losses - but I figured it was worth a try to look for replacement
power supplies - if I can get them inexpensively - or trade for something.

You can get

 

[+++Bobby \O\+++]

Hi B. Makes you wonder, when you see the price of the ATX psu.

What's an ATX psu?
I know how to solder - but don't understand what you mean by an ATX. I'm
using a notebook with an expansion docking station. Is there a way I can
salvage my power supplies? Thanks.........

 

[R. McCarty]

I frequently need a "Portable" drive for working at customer's locations.
Portable DVD-R's aren't really a good answer (Transfer Rates). I finally
settled on a FireLite USB Pocket Drive. I purchased a smaller size (40
Gigabyte). It uses a Samsung 2.5" drive. I keep it formatted FAT32 so
it can work on 9X/ME setups. It holds Tools/Utilities and Apps and I
use to it hold Images of any systems that are being worked on. There
are all sorts of different vendors/models of "Pocket Drives". It uses the
USB power rails, so you don't have to have a separate PS for it.
Transfer rates aren't stellar (Slower Rotational Speeds on 2.5"), but are
acceptable when you consider the portability of the drive. Prices have
dropped somewhat, but expect to pay ~$125+ for these "Small profile"
USB drives.

 

[+++Bobby \O\+++]

Thanks - now I understand better.

I frequently need a "Portable" drive for working at customer's locations.
Portable DVD-R's aren't really a good answer (Transfer Rates). I finally
settled on a FireLite USB Pocket Drive. I purchased a smaller size (40
Gigabyte). It uses a Samsung 2.5" drive. I keep it formatted FAT32 so
it can work on 9X/ME setups. It holds Tools/Utilities and Apps and I
use to it hold Images of any systems that are being worked on. There
are all sorts of different vendors/models of "Pocket Drives". It uses the
USB power rails, so you don't have to have a separate PS for it.
Transfer rates aren't stellar (Slower Rotational Speeds on 2.5"), but are
acceptable when you consider the portability of the drive. Prices have
dropped somewhat, but expect to pay ~$125+ for these "Small profile"
USB drives.

 

[old jon]

An ATX psu, is the standard power supply in a tower or desktop computer.
bw..OJ