This is, unfortunately, a hardware problem. Each USB port is suppose
to supply 500 mA of power. A few laptops don't supply quite that much
but close to it. The SB MP3+ says it needs only 160 mA, so thi
shouldn't be a porblem. However, it sucks up more than 500 mA for
few microseconds after being plugged in, while the capacitors charge.
Most older USB adaptors don't have a problem with such short surges
but many new USB 2.0 adaptors will turn off the port to preven
possible damage to the hardware.
There is a solution, though you can't do it with software only. It'
no big deal, a very minor cable mod.
You'll need:
-a USB cable
-2.2 ohm resistor (red, red, gold, gold)
-2 inches insulated wire
-2 inch long, thin metal or plastic thingy (optional, to make modde
cable section sturdy)
-2 short twist ties (optional, use if you use the metal/plastic thing
above)
-tape (electrical preferred, Scotch, duct or packing will also do)
Tools:
-Wire clipper&stripper or a good pair of scissors and a knife
-soldering iron and solder (optional but strongly recommended)
-"helping hands" thingy or a metal clip plus a friend (strongl
recommended if solder is used; use the metal clip as a heat sink t
prevent overheating the resistor when soldering)
Procedure:
1. Strip about 1.5 inches of outer insulation off USB cable. Careful
not to cut the cable itself.
2. Cut the braided bare wire in the middle of the gap. Pull it bac
and DO NOT CUT IT OFF. (You may cut some off if you can't pull i
back. Just leave enough to connect a wire to.)
3. Peel off the thin foil layer to expose four wires: red, black, gree
and white.
4. Cut the red wire in the middle. Do not remove it.
5. Strip the insulation on the red wire down to about 1/2 the expose
length on either side.
6. Connect the resistor between the cut wire ends.
7. Solder/glue/tape/whatever the wires to the resistor leads. Cut of
excess resistor lead wire.
8. Strip the ends of the 2 inch wire and twist them into the pulle
back braid thingy.
9. Solder/glue/tape/whatever the 2 inch wire to the braided wire t
connect across where the braid was cut
9-1/2. Make sure there aren't any shorts and test it!
10. Put tape around just the resistor and the exposed parts of the re
wire.
11. Put the metal/plastic thingy along the part of the cable yo
stripped. Twist tie it into place. This will prevent the cable fro
bending where you doctored it, as the resistor leads aren't tha
sturdy.
12. Mummify the whole area in tape so it won't get damaged.
The aftermath: I now have a Sound Blaster MP3+ that works perfectl
with my notebook. I don't have to carry around a seperate USB adapto
or a powered hub. The volume seems to be ever so slightly lower due t
the resistor, but it's hardly noticable. If it isn't loud enough fo
you, get a battery powered Walkman amp. This just leaves one question
Why didn't Creative put the resistor in there in the first place? I
would cost them about two cents a unit and they'd have many more happ
customers.
Note: The light on the SB MP3+ blinks when it's playing. This i
normal and is not caused by the modified cable. If it gets annoying
just put some opaque tape over it or turn it upside down.
Attached file: 1stTry.jpg (Picture's kind of crumby because the webca
was $2.36.) This is my first try doing this. I had already cut th
cable for something else, so I was stuck working close to the plug. I
worked, but it broke after a couple minutes of use, causing my compute
to crash. My current one, made from the cable that came with the MP3+
works great and looks a lot more professional. Just an bit of a bulg
in the muddle of the cable, covered in electrical tape.
I hope you can get it working.
-Joe McKenzi
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