The USB "standard" is decending into chaos
- Thread starter Sunray
- Start date
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
One other minor thing that confused me was that I got two 1 WD TB external hard disks (I only meant to order one but we'll let that pass), and they didn't work on my main computer. One of them wasn't recognized and the other wasn't recognized and just made clicking noises.
I read somewhere that WD disks don't work on Linux so I assumed that was it for ages until I tried them on my downstairs computer and they both worked. I realized that I'd plugged them into USB 2.0 sockets - I plugged them into USB 3.0 and they work fine.
I read somewhere that WD disks don't work on Linux so I assumed that was it for ages until I tried them on my downstairs computer and they both worked. I realized that I'd plugged them into USB 2.0 sockets - I plugged them into USB 3.0 and they work fine.
Sasaferrato
Super Refuser!
My external disks show one colour if they are plugged into 2 and another if they are plugged into 3.One other minor thing that confused me was that I got two 1 WD TB external hard disks (I only meant to order one but we'll let that pass), and they didn't work on my main computer. One of them wasn't recognized and the other wasn't recognized and just made clicking noises.
I read somewhere that WD disks don't work on Linux so I assumed that was it for ages until I tried them on my downstairs computer and they both worked. I realized that I'd plugged them into USB 2.0 sockets - I plugged them into USB 3.0 and they work fine.
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
I remember that with the old micro USB. It's normally a port failing (or an old cable). My pixel 6 is now fussy with cables, at some point I should get the port changed.
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
One other minor thing that confused me was that I got two 1 WD TB external hard disks (I only meant to order one but we'll let that pass), and they didn't work on my main computer. One of them wasn't recognized and the other wasn't recognized and just made clicking noises.
I read somewhere that WD disks don't work on Linux so I assumed that was it for ages until I tried them on my downstairs computer and they both worked. I realized that I'd plugged them into USB 2.0 sockets - I plugged them into USB 3.0 and they work fine.
Possible it's not getting enough power on the USB 2 ports. I was going through some old disks this week and found one with a cable that had to full sized USB connections at one end for this scenario.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
Ports should be designed to last for as long as the product lasts. That should be part of the standard, no?
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
True, but to be sure you have to look at the (tiny) connector and the (tiny) socket around the back of the computer to see which have the (slightly) longer sides so as to be sure they line up. A white dot on the top, now ....I thought the whole point of USB C was that it couldn't go in the wrong way.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
That's Micro USB, not C. C is truly reversible.True, but to be sure you have to look at the (tiny) connector and the (tiny) socket around the back of the computer to see which have the (slightly) longer sides so as to be sure they line up. A white dot on the top, now ....
editor
hiraethified
God how I hated DIN sockets. Soldering them was a nightmare!They're just really small.
These kind of ports last forever:
And on a general tip: if people are finding that their phone isn't charging consistently, make sure that there isn't a hardened layer of dust at the bottom of the socket.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
Well yes, but it doesn't work like that. For example I've had far more cheap devices have the ports fail then more premium ones (who'd have thought). I'm pissed off about my Pixel though, but for now I'm being lazy and just replacing USB cables as it's cheaper and less faff.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
This illustrates USB-C's advantage over Apple's Lightning in terms of reliability. Both designs have "springy bits" and "divots" to ensure the plug stays in the socket (older, larger standards rely on friction, but that's not enough when the contact surface is so small). In Lightning, the springy bits are in the socket; the plug is completely inert, which makes for a very neat and tidy plug design. USB-C is the other way round, which makes the plug design a bit more complex. There's effectively a little socket inside the plug and a little plug inside the socket.
The thing is that the springy bits move and there's nothing like moving parts for breaking. When Lightning's springy bits break, you need to repair (or quite likely replace) the whole device. Whereas USB-C just needs a new cable.
Was about to moan that although C is supposed to be universal everywhere by this point both my desktop and laptop are entirely A still. Then double checked my laptop and discovered there is actually a USB C port sneakily hidden round the back! I best check my desktop now also lol.
editor
hiraethified
I can remember back in the day I'd take a shitload of chargers when I went away. Now my phone, laptop, headphones and camera all charge off the one USB-C plug. Sccccchhweet!
Although, it turns out that when your dog brings your Chromebook crashing onto a slate floor, it’s still possible for that USB-C port to stop working
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
Reviving a couple of Dells at work that needs USB C but the chargers are missing, so I'm using my own, until we order some. It works on my Dell, but on this one it charges fine but the laptop refused to start with it. 
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
And while most DIN plugs had the pins at 180 degrees Philips for some reason had them at 270 degrees
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
There's more than a few Deutsches Institut für Normung circular connectors!And while most DIN plugs had the pins at 180 degrees Philips for some reason had them at 270 degrees
It's descending into chaos!
newbie
undisambiguated
AIUI all USB C is supposed to work at 5V 3A- enough to charge but not run a laptop- but after that it's up to the chip in the cable to negotiate with the charger & device in order to decide on voltage profiles and so on, so it's next to impossible to either guess what will or won't happen, or to diagnose what is actually happening.Reviving a couple of Dells at work that needs USB C but the chargers are missing, so I'm using my own, until we order some. It works on my Dell, but on this one it charges fine but the laptop refused to start with it.
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