iBook G4 USB ports...identical?

When I first got my iBook (12" G4 800 MHz), a friend brought over his Digital Elph, and we tried to plug it into my iBook to see how iPhoto imports work. We found that one of the ports (the one nearer the FW port) didn't do anything when we inserted his camera, but it was automatically recognized on the other one (the one next to the display port) and worked fine.

Since I don't use USB much and I have a warranty, I kinda ignored it. But now I got my own camera (Powershot S50), and same deal.

Just to make sure I'm not crazy or ignorant, there isn't any difference between the two USB ports on the iBook is there, like one being powered and the other not? This should not be happening, right?

michaelrjohnson said:

yep, its a flaw. get that fixed right away! hurry! go now!

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I'm running, I'm running! Thanks for your help, Michael and Mactastic!

RBMaraman said:

I have the same problem with my iBook G3 500!

If I plug my digital Elph into the front USB port, the iBook will not recognize it. But, if I plug it into the back USB port, it works.

BUT, every other perepherial works on both ports! I can use my printer on both, a USB hub on both, my Palm HotSync crable on both, just not my digital Elph. So, I think it's an issue with the camera or USB cable and not my iBook.

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Hmmm...all Canon cameras...hmmm...very curious. Thanks -- I'm gonna look and see if I have any other Mac compatible USB devices. My mice are either PS2 or BT. I have a scanner and a USBCam but I'm pretty sure they're not macable. Well, maybe if I find drivers? Maybe I can ask at the Apple store too. I have to go back there today bc I bought something there a couple days ago and they gave me somebody else's receipt.

EDIT: ooh, ooh, my printer (duh)...BC its been on my AEBS the whole time I owned it, I forgot all about it.

Yeah...my printer at least DOES get *recognized* on both ports, which is more than I can say for my camera. VERY strange. I guess I will take my iBook with me to the Apple store this afternoon.

Hmmm...I opened my iBook to make sure I knew which USB port was which (working & not working) just before going to the Apple store, and whaddya know...they both work. Tried putting it back to sleep and waking it and still works. Tried repeatedly swapping it (plugging it in, waiting for iPhoto to recognize it, unplugging it, waiting for iPhoto to drop it, repeat ad nauseum) and still no issue.

Tried it again now and it still works. Almost like plugging the printer in woke something up.

Major weirdness.

Now I just gotta keep an eye on it during my warranty period to make sure it doesn't recur....

Chip NoVaMac said:

I have the same issue with my PB 12" and how the USB is recognized....

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Same meaning it doesn't work; it didn't work, but does now; or it does work? It's a moving target!

Chip NoVaMac said:

Should explain further.

The USB port closest to the FW400 port is the only port that I can get my USB hub to recognize and print from. The other one is fine for the keyboard and mouse.

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It almost sounds like a power (electrical) issue, doesn't it? Like the only devices we have trouble with are USB-powered devices that take a relatively larger amount of juice. Of course I can't explain why mine works now.