Do I need External Hard Drive USB Y-Cable or Entirely New Drive?

[chriscshunter]

I currently have a "SAMSUNG 500GB 2.5" External Hard Drive HXMU050DA/G22" (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152174) for my external storage device that I bought back in 2009. I lost the usb y cable that came with it and I'm using a single cable now. If I watch a video or listen to a sound file off this drive it freezes for 5 second intervals every 2-3 seconds. I'm wondering is this due to not using the usb y cable anymore or is it just time to upgrade?

If anyone could you please provide me with some links as well for cables/drives depending on the resolution. Thanks!

 

[jdog2pt0]

It's probably a power issue. By using the the single cable, the drive can only draw 1/2 the power it could with the Y cable. There's two listings for what I believe you need. Be much cheaper to buy a new cable than to get a whole new drive. You might be able to find them cheaper elsewhere as well. USB 2.0 can only deliver at most 500mAh per port (which isn't much to run a drive off of)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Y-Cable-2-0-A-Male-mini-5pin-B-Data-External-Hard-Drive-Enclosure-cord-power/141510347182?hash=item20f2ac89ae:g:HpgAAOSwaNBUkO6a

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-USB2HABMY1-Cable-External-Drive/dp/B003WV5DMO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1521776117&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+y+cable

 

[photonboy]

Above is correct.

Though I can't think of why a USB3.0 PC output shouldn't work since it's rated to deliver more power. The Y-cable just joins two USB2.0 outputs and one has both data and power, and the 2nd just has power.

Almost 100% sure USB3.0 would work and I doubt you'd need a USB3.0 cable since the wire gauge spec should handle it.

 

[chriscshunter]

I got the Y cable, now when I plug it in at all to any usb port it is freezing my entire computer until I unplug it. I can't get into the drive to see the data. What do I do?

Update: After leaving it plugged in for like 30 minutes its saying format? What does that mean? What do I do?