Iomega just released a USB-powered version of their external Zipdrive 250. This means it doesn’t need the AC adapter. Along with the data, it gets its juice from the USB port as well. Anyone who’s used an external Zipdrive knows how convenient this would be.
So can I just make a USB power/data adapter for my AC powered Zipdrive myself? One with a female USB input jack and two output jacks: a male USB plug and a 5V miniplug?
USB driven AND powered devices generally have to be designed that way from the ground up. The work involved in designing an adapter that would do what you want is probably going to involve a lot more work than the benefit gained if it was even possible.
I had to look up the wiring connections for installing a USB connector to a motherboard a few years ago. You can’t do what you want. Here’s a link to the site. It will give you a very good ensite into USB.500ma is the normal maximum current that a plug can supply. Don’t forget all the USB devices share the total bandwidth of 12mbp.
Okay, from what I’ve read the USB port doesn’t just supply an uninterrupted 5V DC to tap into. The power is controlled along with the data. Guess I’ll buy the new drive…