Thread: Slim USB DVD mounting problems

Originally Posted by tacobandit

its probably too far from the computer, i would say anything more than a 6ft usb extension and you will probably have issues. Try moving it closer.

What about plugging it into a powered hub? Think that would help?

Originally Posted by parksgm

Hey all,

I have a slim DVD drive on this drive to USB adapter.

The drive is mounted approximately 10 feet from the computer, and connected directly to a working USB 2.0 PCI card on the computer (I know the card is working because all of my other peripherals are connected through the same card). The drive is powered by a 12V to 5V regulated DC power supply connected to 12V bus of the computer's DS-ATX power supply.

Here's the problem...the drive will repeatedly attempt to spin up and mount any disc inserted, but almost always fails to do so. Usually, the drive sounds like it _almost_ spins up completely, but then stops spinning and begins the cycle over again. If a CD is in the drive on reboot, the drive NEVER spins up successfully. If there is no CD in the drive, and one is inserted while the computer is booted, then the drive will recognize and mount the disc most of the time. When the drive does mount successfully, it works well.

What gives? Should I:

• just try using a different drive to USB adapter?
• reinitialize the device somehow?
• try a different drive?

Try using an external power source to see if that makes a difference. The symptoms described sound like too much current being drawn when disc starts up.

yeah, def sounds like a power issue, just cause other periferals work fine, they may be fine with just the 500ma that a usb port provides, but if your dvd drive is a burner too then it most definatley needs more power, what your discribing sounds this way, just add a 5v feed to it & you should be fine...

I have this problem on any hub, powered or otherwise. It only works direct off the mobo usb.

I am just this minute cutting the USB plug off the power lead and wiring directly to the 5v from the psu. Should solve it.

The drive is already powered externally (mentioned in the original post above) supplied from the computer's 5V rail, but perhaps the voltage drop over the 10 feet or so of wire leading from the computer to the drive means that the drive is seeing somewhat less than 5V due to resistance (although I used 18 gauge wire, so there really shouldn't be too much loss).

oops, missed that part


I'd confirm power with a meter, have you tried the drive in another computer? shh, now I had to run back up to the top of the thread to make sure you didn't mention that

Originally Posted by parksgm

The drive is already powered externally (mentioned in the original post above) supplied from the computer's 5V rail, but perhaps the voltage drop over the 10 feet or so of wire leading from the computer to the drive means that the drive is seeing somewhat less than 5V due to resistance (although I used 18 gauge wire, so there really shouldn't be too much loss).

I saw that part but you mentioned a regulator and some other devices on it, so power problem is still the first thing to suspect. These things need more than 1 Amp to work. Mine came with a 2A wall wart.