Not enough power when USB NIC doesn't turn on when boot up?

[Linglan]

Just wondering. I have a Orinoco USB NIC but sometimes when I boot up my computer, the power led on USB NIC doesn't turn on. If I replug it back in USB port, it still shows no power. Only when I turn off my computer, replug USB then restart the computer and it will work. Is it because my power supply doesn't give enough power? Thanks.

 

[MrBond]

What wattage is your power supply rated at? How many drives do you have in the computer? Do you have a lot of other USB devices?

In my experience if one device was exceeding the power limit of the PS, the computer won't turn on at all. It's possible there's a problem with the usb ports, have you tried other things in it?

 

[obenton]

Power problems can be solved with a powered USB hub. If problem persists, it's likely a bad cable or bad NIC.

 

[Fulcrum]

I had a similar problem with an NEC usb floppy disk drive I have on my second system. I put it on a Hawking portable usb hub (a cheap $15 model) and I have not had a problem since. Funny thing is, the hub gets it's power from the USB port. It has no external power supply. Go figure.

 

[Linglan]

Here is the wierd part: if I use USB NIC along, it will not always boot up. But if I use it with my Strategy Commander USB connect to USB port, it will always boot up. Go figure...


Linglan