khat17
12-09-2006, 12:24 PM
This link for USB voltage info. (http://www.hardwarebook.net/connector/bus/usb_tech.html)
Just to let everyone know. I've lost a few thumb drives as a result of plugging into some client's front USB ports. What happens is that either some wannabe tech, or the client themselves try to connect the front USB ports and don't get it right. Let me try to illustrate
See Here For Illustration. (http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-009048.htm)
http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/img/usb.gif
As you can see, the last pin is not used. From the inside, the connections are VCC - Neg. - Pos. GND. Or [VCC|-|+|GND]. This is how it should be usually, but there are times when some boards may have the connectors different. Refer to the relative manuals for details.
Now here's the thing - A 5V shorted back to a motherboard can kill it. It has happened to a few technicians who didn't know that the front USB was not connected properly. Also, in the most common cases, incorrect connections will kill the thumb drive. Voltage goes where it shouldn't and just fries it. So, from now on, unless I know that the customer's front USB is working (they have something in there and it works) I always stick my thumb drive into the onboard (back) USB connection.
PeAcE.
Just to let everyone know. I've lost a few thumb drives as a result of plugging into some client's front USB ports. What happens is that either some wannabe tech, or the client themselves try to connect the front USB ports and don't get it right. Let me try to illustrate
See Here For Illustration. (http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-009048.htm)
http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/img/usb.gif
As you can see, the last pin is not used. From the inside, the connections are VCC - Neg. - Pos. GND. Or [VCC|-|+|GND]. This is how it should be usually, but there are times when some boards may have the connectors different. Refer to the relative manuals for details.
Now here's the thing - A 5V shorted back to a motherboard can kill it. It has happened to a few technicians who didn't know that the front USB was not connected properly. Also, in the most common cases, incorrect connections will kill the thumb drive. Voltage goes where it shouldn't and just fries it. So, from now on, unless I know that the customer's front USB is working (they have something in there and it works) I always stick my thumb drive into the onboard (back) USB connection.
PeAcE.