0
Score
Agustin
1
Asked
USB rear ports not working fine: any advice?
Hi everyone, and thanks in advance.
This is what's happening with my iMac: the rear ports aren't readig any storage devices (pen-drives, Hard Disks, SD cards), but are working fine with my Apple keyboard and a Genius mouse.
I've been reading several posts in this site, and came to the conclusion that it must be a hardware problem. This are my questions:
- Is there a way to connect storage devices to the mac, not using firewire? (I've tryed plugging them to the keyboard, but that doesn't work)
- Is there any fix i can do? (As an electronic technician, i feel confident playing with electronic components)
- Is there a way to connect usb devices via firewire?
As a photographer, my work is suffering due to the lack of connection between my Mac and my devices, son any help is welcome!
Thanks a lot,
Agustín from Argentina (that's why my english isn't that good)
New information:
While performing the tests included in the Apple Service Diagnostic DVD i run into this in the Hardware Profile, does this mean a thing to anyone? (i'm a bit lost here):
USB Port
type: USB 2.0
location: rear-right
speed: 480
uhci-id: 0x5d100000
ehci-id: 0xfd500000
port-number: <obsolete>
is-connected: TRUE
USB Port
type: USB 2.0
location: rear-right
speed: 480
uhci-id: 0x3d100000
ehci-id: 0xfd300000
port-number: <obsolete>
is-connected: FALSE
USB Port
type: USB 2.0
location: rear-right
speed: 480
uhci-id: 0x1d100000
ehci-id: 0xfd100000
port-number: <obsolete>
is-connected: FALSE
More information:
Recently I re-installed my OS, but the problem is still here, nothing changed. Anyone still thinks this may be a software related problem? Any advice could help!
3
Score
rj713
33.9k
Answered
It sounds like you may not have enough voltage/current available at those outlets for what you want to hookup. I would try an inexpensive powered hub and see if that cleared my problem. I am including a link for the one I use but there are many different hubs available. Check your local computer or electronics store. Good luck.
3
Score
ABCellars
13.2k
Answered
Reset your SMC and your PRAM, then give them a try. Instructions for doing that are here and here. You might try running disk utilities on the USB drives you are not able to access if it is in OS X that you are having the problems. If it is in Windows there are some registry keys that need edited.
Obviously since you are able to use a mouse and a keyboard on those ports they have power and are transferring data. The USB specification defines the transfer of data. The channels do not know what is hooked up to them. They can't discern a keyboard or mouse from a disk drive. If you are able to use a keyboard or mouse on them their data channels are working properly. Pen-Drives, Sd Cards and externally powered hard drives all use less current than the Genius mouse. That eliminates a power issue. Your problem is in your disk permissions, operating system or it's settings. You may look to your system logs to see what your system says about what is going on when you attach a USB drive.
Thanks for the help on the power issue. I wasn't sure--I do agree this does not seem a hardware issue to me. +
Hi there, i've tried what you told me about SMC and PRAM, but that didn't fix my problem. I have also performed the tests in the Apple Service Diagnostic DVD, and all the results were OK. But in the Hardware Profil window i saw something maybe suspicious, i'm gonna add it in my question, thanx a lot for helping!
Did you plug one of your USB drives in and run disk utilities? Could disk utilities find the drive? Could it repair the problem?