Does using two bus powered external devices MacBook Pro 13" put too much strain on the power supply?

Will daisy chaining two bus powered external devices put too much strain on my 2011 MacBook Pro 13" power supply? Specifically I would like use ProTools with a LaCie bus powered hard disc and a Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro which is also bus powered with firewire.

Hi rrlavigne,
The biggest difference between the two machines in maximum RAM capacity. The white MacBook is limited to 4GB, whereas the MacBook Pro will support 8GB of RAM. While the cost of RAM is prohibitory right now (to go to 8GB), to have that flexibility in the future will very much be worth it... especially considering you intend to install Logic.
Other than that, I think in terms of "raw performance" the machines are very equally matched. You're paying for the unibody design, backlight keyboard, SD card and new battery technology for that $200 premium (in addition to the slight CPU bump).

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My MacBook Pro will not powerup (even when connected to power supply).

My MacBook Pro will not powerup (even when connected to power supply). The caps lock key is the only light on.

Hi PatB11902,
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
If your MacBook Pro does not seem to power on, but the caps lock key will light up when you press the caps lock key, you are likely seeing a video issue.
There are several steps that can help troubleshoot this behavior, found at this link:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays - Apple Support
Start with these steps:
Reset the system
You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.
Start up in Safe Mode.
If your Mac does not start up normally after these steps, here are some additional tips that can help:
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on - Apple Support
Verify you have a good connection from your Mac to the wall outlet by confirming the power cord and adapter if present are securely connected and plugged in. To check if the wall outlet is working, plug in a lamp or other electrical device.
If the wall outlet is working and you continue to have no power try another power cord or adapter if available. If it works you may need a replacement cord or adapter.
Disconnect all accessories that are plugged in to the computer, such as a printer, hub, or other mobile device.
If your Mac supports user-installable memory, solid state drive, or hard drive, and you recently installed any of these, make sure they are installed correctly and are compatible with your computer. If possible, reinstall the original memory or drive into the computer to find out if the behavior persists afterwards.
If you are still unable to start up your computer after trying each of these steps, visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for further diagnosis. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail Store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar using http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/ (available in some countries only).
Note: Diagnostic fees may apply for issues not covered under warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan (APP).
Sincerely,
Jeremy

Can I use two My Cloud drives on MacBook Pro

I currently use a 4TB My Cloud drive with my MacBook Pro. Great drive! I order another one yesterday, without first check to see if I can use two My Cloud drives on the same Mac. I want them to run as two independent NAS drives, and will not be daisy chaining them through a USB cable. Will this be possible?

(Bennor beat me to the Post. )

Hi! My macbook pro wont switch on at all, pressing the power doesnt do anything, when plugged it switch on to get the white background with the apple sign and a loading button that kept on forever. anyone has a clue?

Hello as mentionned before I cannot get my macbook pro to switch on.
when it is not plugged as I press the power button nothing happens, when the computer is power plugged, it gives me the white blackground with the apple centered and the loading button below but it keeps loading forever left it as for 4 hours and still nothing.
I have try to reset the SMC but didn't change much, now instead of the apple logo I get a circle crossed
My macbook is 1 year and 4months

See Gray Screen, try holding the Shift key upon boot
 Cheat sheet to help diagnose and fix your Mac
Drive may not boot, but if it's still working then data can be recovered
 Data recovery efforts explained
 Most commonly used backup methods explained

My macbook pro froze last night and I held the power button down to restart the computer. Now the computer will not even start up. Any ideas what may have happened?

While searching the internet last night my Macbook pro froze up and would not respond to anything. I restarted the computer and now the computer will not ecen start up. It will go to the gray screen with the apple sign. It is there working for 10 seconds and finally shuts down again. Any ideas how to get the computer to come back to life?

Go step by step and test.
Start up in Safe Mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14204?viewlocale=en_US
Repair Disk
Steps 2 through 8
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836

My Macbook Pro with Remakes funny noise when connected to power supply cable and no other response. The best description of the sound I can give is the buz the computer makes on startup. Sound goes on and off while connected

I am new to the Macbook community. I own this Macbook since 10/2012.
My Macbook Pro 15 with Retina Display suddenly totally stopped responding. No display, no activity on keyboard. When I connect power supply cable, the Mac makes a noise as if it is starting up, but this lasts a second and this sound comes and goes the whole time the power cable is connected.
Any advice?
Thanks!

Reset the SMC and the NVRAM:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
The try a safe boot:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262
Any change?
Ciao.

Macbook pro or imac, how much faster is the imac?

I work on huge photoshop files. Up to 15gb sometimes. In the studio I have a macpro 8 core, 32gb ram. However, I also do work abroad, and for this I bought a macbook pro 2.4ghz intel 2 duo, 3 years ago. when travelling I keep my files to 1GB or less. It's still painfully slow.
I need a faster portable option. Can anybody advise me on the new macbook pro, vs macmini, vs imac? how do the fastest macbook pro hold up against the fastest imac?

Take a look at this. There are probably a few more on the web that you can find.
http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchma
The fact is that the iMacs have faster processors than the MBPs but the new MBPs will be significantly faster that your old one. With that said, your MAC PRO will still be faster than both the new MBP and the new iMac.
I suspect that if portability is an issue, the MBP probably should get the nod. The iMac's are big and heavy.
Ciao.

Macbook Pro won't turn on after clicking the power button.

I left my laptop on sleep mode yesterday night but when I tried to use it this morning the screen stayed black. I than turned it off and when I clicked the power button to turn it on again, only the fan turns on but the screen stays black. This occurred last time and the apple tech clicked some buttons and it turned on.

SMC Reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

My macbook pro doesnt turn on when i push the power button

I was working on my mac the other day and as usual shut it down when i was done. A couple hours later i wanted to turn it on again to check my emails and it didnt start up when i pushed the power buttin. i light on the lid lock bottun lights up but it does nothing else. Battery is fully charged so i don't understand why it refuses to turn on... HELP please?

Portables that will not Power on.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1365
Go step by step.
Note: Steps 5 and 6
Step5
Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
"Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".
Reset SMC, hold the keys down for 20 seconds or more.
Keep it charging for 2 hours or more.
Best.

Occasionally, macbook pro requires a manual restart by holding the power button

Error log I receive upon restart is below:
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x226ec0): "thread_invoke: preemption_level -1, possible cause: unlocking an unlocked mutex or spinlock"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1504.15.3/osfmk/kern/sched_prim.c:1471
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x829d3e28 : 0x21b837 (0x5dd7fc 0x829d3e5c 0x223ce1 0x0)
0x829d3e78 : 0x226ec0 (0x593ab8 0xffffffff 0x593a50 0x226790)
0x829d3ef8 : 0x2275c6 (0xd47801c 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0x829d3f68 : 0x219484 (0x2a1765 0x0 0x1 0x4f811e)
0x829d3fa8 : 0x2aacb4 (0xffffffff 0x1 0x22f8f5 0xd14cb84)
0x829d3fc8 : 0x2a1976 (0x0 0x0 0x2a17ab 0xd14cb84)
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: configd
Mac OS version:
10K549
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.8.0: Tue Jun 7 16:33:36 PDT 2011; root:xnu-1504.15.3~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro5,3 (Mac-F22587C8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 32898773843
unloaded kexts:
(none)
loaded kexts:
com.cisco.nke.ipsec    2.0.1 - last loaded 32741551646
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic    5.0 9376.599993
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge      5.0 9376.599993
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect 5.0 9376.599993
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook       5.0 9376.599993
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor    5.0 9376.599993
com.mcafee.kext.Virex          1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor   1.9.3d0
com.apple.driver.InternalModemSupport 2.6.2
com.apple.filesystems.autofs            2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleTyMCEDriver         1.0.2d2
com.apple.driver.AGPM        100.12.31
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.0.5f14
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient          3.5.7
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl          1.0.20
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver     1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC           1.57
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver           2.0.5f14
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor           3.0.1d2
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X      7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver    1.1.6
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU        1.5.2d10
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelYonahProfile 14
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPenrynProfile 17
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelNehalemProfile          11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelMeromProfile 19
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin          4.7.0a1
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl     2.10.6
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight     170.0.46
com.apple.GeForce    6.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons        201.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyEventDriver     201.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard    201.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController            303.8
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient            2.6.8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader     2.6.1
com.apple.BootCache            31.1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage           1.6.4
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI      4.7.3
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 423.91.27
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43224          428.42.4
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort     2.1.7
com.apple.nvenet      2.0.17
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub      4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI     4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager      160.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI     4.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET           1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons           1.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS       1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC        1.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC            1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient          142.6.0
com.apple.security.sandbox 1
com.apple.security.quarantine        0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall   2.1.14
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement        142.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver          2.0.5f14
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib          2.0.5f14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction            17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction   10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction   14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction            10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction          10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction        20
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal    6.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP           2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface     74.2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager            2.4.5f3
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily         10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily         1.8.3fc2
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib      1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController        2.0.5f14
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily           2.0.5f14
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController    1.0.10d0
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.0d5
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.7.0a1
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI   1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert     1.0.1
com.apple.NVDAResman      6.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport      2.2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily    2.2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch       207.7
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.4.5f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController         2.4.5f3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.4.5f3
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver     4.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice        2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily          1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice       2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass     2.6.7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub       4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite        3.9.0
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
com.apple.driver.AppleFileSystemDriver   2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 1.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily   2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily    4.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family       320.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily          2.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily           1.10
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient     4.2.4
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily            4.2.4
com.apple.driver.NVSMU      2.2.7
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime            1.4.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily            1.6.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily       1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet     6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages           289
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily      1.6.3
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform         1.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily          1.3.0
Model: MacBookPro5,3, BootROM MBP53.00AC.B03, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.8 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 1.48f2
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, PCIe, 512 MB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, PCI, 256 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x8D), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.42.4)
Bluetooth: Version 2.4.5f3, 2 service, 19 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: ST9500420ASG, 465.76 GB
Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-868
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8507, 0x24400000 / 2
USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8403, 0x26500000 / 2
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x06100000 / 2
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8213, 0x06110000 / 3
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x0236, 0x04600000 / 3
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x04500000 / 2

The panic may be caused by your outdated Parallels installation or by the notoriously buggy Cisco VPN client.

Editing with Bus-powered External Drive

Hello,
I have a MBP and usually edit using a bus-powered USB drive. It works fine, but I'm wondering if I would get a performance increase if I use a bus-powered Firewire drive. I know Firewire is faster, but if the drive is a 2.5-inch 5400 RPM that's powered by the Firewire port, does it matter?
Thanks.

Yes, FireWire is indeed faster than USB. FW400 is about 40% faster and FW800 about 70% faster for typical throughput. This will be true regardless of hard drive (assuming the same hard drive in any case.)

Bus powered external drive for MacBook

Hi,
I'm looking for an external HD to use with my MacBook, and I'm a bit confused about power. I'd rather avoid lugging around an extra power supply and international adaptor when I'm traveling if it can be avoided.
Does the MacBook's firewire port provide bus power? Is it sufficient to power a 2.5" external HD?
Is USB a better option if I want a bus powered HD? Are there any clear advantages to one or the other?

For the longest time, FireWire was the only practical solution to bus-powered hard drives. FireWire provides a heck of a lot of power (typically 7 to 8W) while USB by definition provides up to 2.5W per port (if powered). FireWire has so many advantages, but cost seems to be the consideration that's won out.
Current USB bus-powered external drives seem to be feasible because of newer 2.5" drives with reduced power consumption. Still - many drives come with (or they can be bought) cables with two male ends. One end is used for data/power, while the other draws more power from a 2nd powered USB port.
I have no problem getting a 160 GB WD Passport (Black) USB 2.0 drive to work on my iBook 1.42 or my new MacBook. It does take a while to mount in the OS though, although the same goes for Windows.
Message was edited by: ypw

Why won't my 2011 MBP boot from bus-powered USB devices?

In the past, I have often made use of OS X's ability to boot from an external USB device. Before installing major OS updates, or new productivity software, I usually clone my system drive onto an external USB drive using Superduper or CarbonCopyCloner. Once the clone is complete, I can then boot from the external drive (by holding Option at startup, and choosing the cloned image from the boot disk menu). This has been incedibly useful in the past when I've had hard disk problems, or when I've upgraded to a new Mac.
My issue is with my new 2011 model 17" MBP. I am only able to boot from an external USB drive if the drive isn't bus-powered. If I try to boot from an OS X image located on a bus-powered USB flash drive or pocket hard drive, the drive seems to power down upon choosing it from the boot menu and I'm greeted by a blank gray screen. I've also tested this technique using a bus-powered DVD drive containing the Snow Leopard retail DVD (and a Windows 7 install DVD for what it's worth) and the problem remains. The optical drive will spin up upon startup, but power down as soon as I choose to boot from the DVD.
This issue only seems to affect my 2011 MBP. I've had no issues getting the same technique to work on my old 2007 MBP or a 2008 model MacBook.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Fair enough. I'll give that a try as a last resort.
I used my wife's MacBook Pro, Target Disk Mode and a Firewire 800 cable to install Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro as I don't have an internal optical drive any more--just the standard HD and the SSD.
I did use the retail disc, and I'm wondering if the issue might be that since my machine is fairly new, I might have had to use the stock install disk--which I seem to have lost. I have the Applications DVD, but not the OS disc.
To that end, do you know of a way to get a replacement disc? I bought my machine at the store, I wonder if they'd be willing to copy one for me...

Bus powered external hard drives and the Powerbook G4 17 inch

Does anyone have a suggestion for a bus powered external hard drive that will work with the Powerbook 17 inch? I had purchased a Simpletech Simpledrive portable USB 100GB bus powered drive and it will not work with my 17 inch. It works with my 15 inch titanium and a G5 but not the 17 inch. Simpletech told me that it isn't getting enough power from the USB ports (I even tried using the adapter to plug it into both ports at the same time).
I am going to return the drive and probably buy a Firewire one instead since you can boot from Firewire but I am wondering if I will have the same problem with Firewire on the 17 inch and HAVE to use an AC adapter.
PowerBook G4 17 inch Mac OS X (10.4.1)

This also happens on the PB 15". It is perceived as a problem. If you check via the System Profiler you will likely see that the USB port output is 500mA. Most drives - in a USB or FW case - need 1A to boot. There are some drives that will boot with 500mA. If a 500mA drive is installed in the USB case it should boot off the bus power. If using a ext HD you can only boot the computer from the FW port and not the USB or PCMCIA slot.
The FW port will power the ext HD. I do not recommend daisy chaining unless you use a powered FW hub. I blew 4 FW ports and had to replace the logic board 4 times but Apple Care paid for all the work. The newer FW ports are more robust but it is still a chance if you try to draw too much power.
MJ

Bus powered external DVD burners risky?

I am thinking of putting a second HD in my 1.83 MBP with the Maxupgrades kit , and getting an external DVD writer.
Years ago I had a firewire bus powered Formac DVD writer, which took too much current out of my Ti powerbook and burnt the internal firewire bus.
Are the modern generation of portable bus powered (USB2 and FW) such safe in this respect?
I see that offering includes an internal battery. Why would they do that if the no-battery ones are OK?
Thanks for any input.

so the battery is not there to prevent overload of the USB port,
I doubt it, though having a functioning battery may do so
but so that the device can be used independently (from computer)
Perhaps the drive could power headphones so you could listen to music, but the battery is there to provide additional life when you aren't plugged in. If your MBP normally gets 4 hours of life from a full charge, add that bus powered burner and it will drop - bigtime I'd expect. The extra battery in the device gives you a bit longer life.

Does using two bus powered external devices MacBook Pro 13" put too much strain on the power supply?

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