usb overcurrent error message on plasma tv

**shione83** · 04-07-2012, 06:17 PM

hey guys,
dont know if this is within ur realm but here goes,
we have a panasonic viera tv ( plasma) when i plug in my 1st portable drive it works perfectly.... however when i plug in my other portable drive i get a USB overcurrent error message.
it goes on to say remove the USB device and switch tv off at the power mains then restart tv,
what is overcurrent? can i fix it?
the second portable drive is a WD passport 500GB... usb3 but compatible with usb2
the first drive is WD 750 GB usb 3 but compatible with usb2 as well
any ideas please?

**Speedy Gonzales** · 04-07-2012, 06:22 PM

Are you connecting power to the external usb devices?? What else is plugged in at the same time?? If there's more than 1 USB port on the TV?

**shione83** · 04-07-2012, 06:24 PM

neither have ac power connection.... just connected thru the usb port on tv.... only 1 usb port on tv

**Speedy Gonzales** · 04-07-2012, 06:28 PM

I think thats what that error means. A USB port can only support up to 500 mA. If whatever device you plug into a USB port uses more (if it doesnt have power connected to it), it cant handle it. Youre not using a USB hub are you??

**The Error Guy** · 04-07-2012, 06:40 PM

I find it strange that the passport is reporting too much draw since it's a 2.5" drive would have assumed that the larger 750gb is possible a 5" one drawing too much. Since the devices are not powered the overcurrent warn isn't from external sources which leads me to think there is a physical problem with the 2nd drive.

Do both drives use the same USB cable? if so swap cables, could be a short somewhere. Also if possible test the HDD on a PC (although i'm assuming it operates normally on PC's)

**shione83** · 04-07-2012, 07:03 PM

no i'm not using a usb hub,,,, both drives do use the same type cable and have already tried swapping them. they both work perfectly on my pc and laptop

**Speedy Gonzales** · 04-07-2012, 07:24 PM

Update the firmware for the TV, if you can update it. The update may fix the error

**The Error Guy** · 04-07-2012, 08:12 PM

If the firmware update for the TV doesn't work, try getting firmware for the drive from WD's site, that failing it might be that the device is drawing too much and that's the way it will have to be unfortunately.

**inphinity** · 04-07-2012, 08:28 PM

It's quite possibly just that the TV isn't necessarily handshaking as USB 2.0-only (maybe it's even a USB 1.1 port, depending on the age of the TV), and some of the newer Passport drives do draw more than 500mA if it's available.