USB External HDD

[gazmercer]

Hi

I am thinking of possibly buying a BUBBA, is it possible to add external USB2.0 storage (HDD) to BUBBA or is the USB port just for memory sticks.

The Hard Drives I am thinking of would be the Western Digital My Book 500gb.

EDIT - How about a powered USB hub, could that be added too ??

Any help appreciated.

Thanks
Gaz

[pa]

Hi,

It is possible to connect a USB disk to bubba, but we do not recommend it for ordinary use, due to that the USB is 12Mbit/s (USB2.0 Full speed), so it would be very slow.
It might however work as a backup solution where disc performace is not crucial.
Regarding a USB hub, it is no problem, we use it ourself i.e. to connect multiple printers

/PA

[DarnMoose]

Dear all,

just to make absolutely sure:

is it possible to power an external USB hard drive from the Bubba USB port, such that the external drive does not need it's own power supply? Assuming the USB hard drive is suitable for this.

Is it likely that the USB port will be upgraded to hi-speed USB2 in the near future?

Thanks,

Sander

[johannes]

Yes, Bubba's USB port can supply current according to the USB specifications, just as from any PC. However, to my understanding only 2,5" USB disks and smaller are suited for this, since 3,5" disks use too much power for an USB port.

Regarding upgrade, Bubbas hardware will not be upgraded. We are however currently working on an upgrade that will feature high-speed USB.

[albert]

I would not be so certain if 2.5" USB disks work on the port.

I have one which doesn't spin up properly when connected to bubba. Mind you, the same disk wouldn't work on a laptop USB port either, only when I used the special USB cable which came with it. That cable had two USB connectors, one black and one red. The red one only for drawing extra power from a second USB port. On another laptop it worked fine on one connector though.

So I guess your luck may vary. Through a powered hub it should work fine.

[johannes]

Ok, maybe even 2,5" disks won't work on one USB port, at least not all of them. The USB specs specify that 500 mA has to be supplied through one port, this is what we supply on Bubba. So if your disk is supposed to work on one USB port (and not violating the USB specs), Bubba will handle it.

[DarnMoose]

Indeed only certain 2.5inch disks have the capability to run from the USB power. My LaCie Mobile Hard Drive (Design by F.A. Porsche) came with a USB cable and an additional USB power cable to draw power from a second USB port. The manual says I do not need the power cable for USB2 spec ports. I have not needed the power cable yet, but I do normally stay clear of labtops.

Shame I do not have a Bubba to see if it works!!

Thanks,

Sander

[Cheeseboy]

gazmercer,

EDIT - How about a powered USB hub, could that be added too ??

Yes, it works fine. I have a printer and an USB 2.5" HDD of the two-plug-variety attached via a powered hub.

Cheers

Cheeseboy