pci slot not giving out enough power to USB 2.0 card

[abrand88]

I have a EUB-362 EXT ENGENIUS TECHNOLOGIES ENGENIUS WL USB EUB-362 EXT .11B G 54MBPS LONG-RANGE 200MW SWIVEL ANTENNA RETAIL EUB362 EXT.

It works fine but the signal drops off within 20 minutes because the pci slot isn't putting out enough power for it to work. I am using a external USB PCI card made by Adaptec and ADS Technology. Neither of them work. When I connect it to my internal USB 1.1 port, it works flawlessly but slower.

How can I stabilize`the USB card so it will work properly and spply enough voltage to the this card. I am using a Dell 800 MHZ computer and want to use it just for Skype and surfing.

 

[wahnula]

It works fine but the signal drops off within 20 minutes because the pci slot isn't putting out enough power for it to work.

abrand88,

How do you know this? Have you tested the power output of the PCI bus using a multimeter?

Many USB devices have the option for external power, but don't include an adapter. Check the device for a DC power input (small round hole) and report back.

You say 800 MHz Dell, but laptop??? Desktop??? Sometimes heat or software issues will lead to a general slowdown after a system has been running a while. If a desktop try running with the case open. If a laptop raise it off the desk a little by setting the sides on books etc. to allow air underneath. This will eliminate/confirm heat as a suspect.

You should also check both devices for the latest drivers.

Best of luck!

Tony

 

[abrand88]

Tony,

Thanks for your thoughts.

The mfgr of the USB External antenna told me that the PCI slot isn't outputting enought power or current to stabilize the external USB antenna. So after 15 or 20 minutes, the signals disappear from the properties sheet.

Although I do have a multimeter, what will I gain testing the PCI slot and I will need some sort of resistor to measure current.My external antenna has no provision for a dc input. On one side it has a mini-usb plug and the appropiate cable that came with it and the other side a antenna which I took off and am using a 7dbi antenna. With this antenna I get a constant signal if I use my laptop. If I connect it it to my Dell which has a USB PCI card, the signal drops off the screen. If I reconnect it to the internal USB 1.1 port, the signal stays steady. My Dell is running wide open, no cover on the computer,so heat shouldn't be an issue.

I do have another idea that might solve my problem. I have a external 7-port USB adapter that has its own power supply. Why not connect the 7 port USB adapter to my PCI USB card and the external USB antenna to the 7-port adapter and see if it is stable and doesn't drop its signal. If it doesn't
then all I will have to do is buy shorter USB cables so I don't lose any signal strength.

What is your thoughts about this idea ?

Arthur

 

[bcastner]

A powered hub is the answer.

The USB port is restricted by the Operating System as to the maximum power it is permitted to supply to devices. This is from memory, but I think the maximum for an USB port is 450ma



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Users Helping Users

 

[wahnula]

Yes I agree the powered hub would be a good idea. I have a couple of USB hard drives that have a mini-plug on one end that splits into dual USB "A" plugs, but have had no luck finding this cable online. Let us know how the powered hub works.

 

[abrand88]

Hi,

Using the USB 7-port device powered worked quite well the USB antenna and outputted the signal into my Adaptec USB card I didn't see any signals dropping with the exception of once. I kept it on over the weekend and this idea worked.

I am now interested in increasing the signal strength because I would like to buy the home plug setup whereby I connect the signal from my computer USB port into my AC line and hopefully pick up the signal in my basement where I have a few other computers. My access point for my computer is on the second floor of my house.

Should I buy a stronger antenna so it will give me a stronger like a 14dbi antenna and then buy a signal booster so it will be so strong that I might be able to picked up the signal in my basement ?

Should it just a USB signal going into the home plug or a ethernet setup since my computer is has a 10/100 ethernet port ?

Thanks

Arthur