LinkStation can't detect MiniStation on USB port

gparker · April 11, 2009, 12:24:33 AM

Hi,

I have a MiniStation 80GB USB external disk (Model HD-PS80U2) which isn't recognised when I connect it to a LinkStation USB port (Model LS-GL F/W 1.13). In Disk Management on the LinkStation both USB Disks show 'disconnected'. I have another 80GB MiniStation and that works OK with the LinkStation. The drive is formatted FAT32. It works fine with a number of PCs I have tried it with. I would appreciate any suggestions as to how to fix this.

Thank You.

Dustrega · April 11, 2009, 01:50:32 PM

After connecting the USB drive try power cycling the NAS with the drive still attached. I have seen issues where the Ministation doesn't draw enough power through the USB cable alone and needs the auxiliary USB to DC cable attached. Of course this would take up the second USB slot but it would give us a yes or no on whether that's the problem.

gparker · April 18, 2009, 02:15:28 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. I have tried this, and used the second 'power' usb cable and still no recognition the disk is attached.

Dustrega · April 23, 2009, 04:50:07 PM

Hm, in this case I surmise we can mark this as an incompatibility. I'll take a look into a possible solution later on this week for you. Sorry for the late response :)

Dustrega · May 02, 2009, 01:14:47 PM

Alright, I managed to get a straight answer regarding this and what I've come up with is that the USB ports on the LinkStation don't output enough amperage to run the MiniStation. Since the LinkStations were designed with power efficiency in mind they'll only work with low power over USB (i.e. flash drives) or self powered devices (i.e. wall outlet). Sorry to bear bad news :(

gparker · May 11, 2009, 05:52:41 AM

Thats strange, I have two other MiniStations bought at the same time which work fine with the LinkStation.

You should warn people of this incompatibility. I bought 3 Ministations for backup from the LinkStation. I bought Buffalo since I assumed they would be compatible.

Can you suggest a USB portable drive which would work with the LinkStation?

Dustrega · May 17, 2009, 04:20:34 AM

Dustrega wrote:
Alright, I managed to get a straight answer regarding this and what I've come up with is that the USB ports on the LinkStation don't output enough amperage to run the MiniStation.

As I had stated before most USB portable drives are powered over USB and this device doesn't provide the amperage necessary.

gparker · May 20, 2009, 02:50:10 PM

OK, but surely some USB disk drives work with the LinkStation since that is what the USB ports are for.

So which USB disk drives do work with the Linkstation?

News:

LinkStation can't detect MiniStation on USB port