PS2 pack and power surge on hub port error message

[april5573]

HELP!!! As I understand it, lots of people have a problem with thi
error message and all seem to have the PS2 pack on their system. Mos
poeple say to uninstall the service pack and others (includin
microsoft) say to try and power the usb device with an external powe
supply... such as an A\C adapter. At first I didn't know what to do s
I sent my cpu to my IT man to fix. Apparently, nothing seemed to b
wrong. After doing some research I came up with the above solution
BUT...... the device that I can't connect is a printer. MY LIFE I
HE** WITHOUT MY PRINTER!!!! There is NO other power supply I can us
that I'm aware of so.... would it work if I bought a regular powe
cord for the thing instead of using the usb cord it came with

THANKS TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME!!

 

[w_tom]

Your computer guy should have explained how USB ports work. Numbers
suggest your printer cannot work as connected. USB port is current
limited to 100 mA on power up. If a device consumes too much current, a
USB connection should detect excessive current and respond accordingly.
If a USB port detects a connection, then that port can provide up to
500 mA. Again, too much current consumption causes a power surge
message and appropriate power cutoff. Above done for what should be
obvious electrical reasons.

I don't know of any standard printer that can operate only on 500 mA.
A printer without an AC power adaptor would consume too much power.
Again this should have been obvious to the tech. However many computer
techs don't even know how electricity works - let alone the many
functions in a USB port.

Meanwhile, what is too much current? One device that draws 500 mA
might draw more with some models and less with others. USB ports that
must measure this current can, from port to port, see different current
levels as 'excessive 500 mA. Expect 20% difference between USB
systems; that sometimes cause problems and sometimes does not.
Furthermore, any circuit must provide more than rated current for a
given time. Is your USB port too intolerant? It may meet specs but
is too intolerant for you printer. Or does the printer input too much
noise back into that USB port? Some ports have better filters than
others. Again, basic electrical concepts too often no grasped by
computer techs whose experience is mostly shotgunning.

Does your printer work only on 500 mA? Does it operate with only 2.5
watts? Doubtful. Very doubtful. But we don't know until numerical
specs for that printer are read. You did even provide a model number.
Therefore every response can only be wild speculation. Your responses
will only be as good as the numbers provided. That is the one common
factor among so many with USB port power problems. Without numbers
from both controller (motherboard?) and from load (printer), then an
accurate response is not possible.