Trying to extend a usb cable

**migitcheetah** · 10-22-2009, 10:03 PM

im trying to make/extend a usb cable that has the mother board pins on the one end, and a female usb A on the other. im trying to hook up a portable hdd to transfer movies and music and such while on the go, but the hdd has the software and such that wont be recognized unless pluged into a usb that is directly pluged to the mother board. ive tried extensions and hubs.. never a powered hub, but i figure its the same deal considering the extension is just an extra wire tha tsuplies the same conection.(i hope thats rite)
but i already got wire and hooked it up red to red, black to black, green to green, and white to white. and when i plug the hdd in it turns on i see the light, but the computer still does not recognize it. i plugged it into the shorter usb end and it pops right up. i pluged my psp into the extended one and it pops right up. but the hdd nothing. does anyone know how i could solve this problem.

**drewbp** · 10-23-2009, 01:15 AM

How long are you trying to make the cable. There is a limit of 5 meters, or 16' 5" due to timing and echo issues.

**Mickz** · 10-23-2009, 04:34 AM

If I read you correctly you have never tried a powered hub and the HDD you are using is powered via the USB lead. If not then ignore the following.

There are a number of motherboards with USB ports that will not or only marginally power a HDD from USB socket. Changing the length of the USB lead will make all the difference; short one works, slightly longer, no go. Either make a heavy duty USB cable or use a powered hub with a short lead from the hub to the drive. Powered hub is the preferred method.

**migitcheetah** · 10-23-2009, 03:57 PM

no I have not tried a powered hub yet, the problem is that my pc is in the trunk and I want the hdd to plug in the front next to the driver seat... so I need tooo have the hub/cable reach 15ft.

How would ii make a heavy duty cable, or if I hook the powered hub to an extension will it still work.

**leo_bergamo** · 10-23-2009, 04:13 PM

I installed my car computer in a full size van. So the display sits on top of the dog house and the PC itself is installed under the rear-most bench seat. My point, I ran into the problem of wires and cables comming up too short and I have used old lengths of CAT5 to splice into the USB cables etc. I have not had a problem since. Hope this may help...

**Mickz** · 10-23-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by migitcheetah

so I need tooo have the hub/cable reach 15ft. How would ii make a heavy duty cable, or if I hook the powered hub to an extension will it still work.

Your main problem is powering the HDD from USB, run your lead and put a powered hub at the end next to the HDD. There are powered HUB's around for 12v Car installs. It should work with a good quality USB lead at 15ft.

You could of also try an SSD or a really low power HDD, some work better thn others. Some external USB HDD's also have a seperate power input to overcome USB power problems when they crop up.