USB cables..yes USB cables!

[ohla313]

I recently bought a USB cable online and it was one of those cables that are used for chargers. Now the ones used for chargers and the ones used to power external hard drives and other peripherals both use the same mini B connection! How am I supposed to know which USB cable is the right one?

Does anyone have any Amazon/Newegg links to USB cables that are guaranteed to work in powering an external hard drive?

 

[gsahli]

guaranteed to work in powering an external hard drive?

Those are the correct cables. "guaranteed to work" -- this is the problem - Macs sometimes have problems providing enough current through USB for external drives. You should use a powered USB hub if you want to be sure it gets enough power.

 

[ohla313]

Those are the correct cables. "guaranteed to work" -- this is the problem - Macs sometimes have problems providing enough current through USB for external drives. You should use a powered USB hub if you want to be sure it gets enough power.

I plugged the cable into my powered USB hub and it didn't work. There are cables that are for chargers and others for connecting usb peripherals, the problem is that they look the same.