Two systems one speaker system re-question
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28984331/Two-pc's-and-one-speaker-system.html
As a followup to that we have tested the two systems.
Of course there is no sound from the speakers unless the green speaker wire is in the system.
It was said that either system would power the speaker. Not true.
When the Vista system is on and the green speaker wire is plugged in, the Windows 7 system will not power the speakers.
When the Windows 7 system is on and the green speaker wired plugged in, the Vista system will power the speakers.
Why not both?
As a followup to that we have tested the two systems.
Of course there is no sound from the speakers unless the green speaker wire is in the system.
It was said that either system would power the speaker. Not true.
When the Vista system is on and the green speaker wire is plugged in, the Windows 7 system will not power the speakers.
When the Windows 7 system is on and the green speaker wired plugged in, the Vista system will power the speakers.
Why not both?
ASKER
The KVM has not been installed.
A speaker system consisting of two speakers with two wires. One of the wires is the green one to the back of the tower. The other is a USB power cord to power the speakers.
When the Vista system is on and the green speaker wire is plugged in, the Windows 7 system will not power the speakers.
When the Windows 7 system is on and the green speaker wired plugged in, the Vista system will power the speakers.
Why won't the Windows 7 pc provide power to the USB power cord for the speakers.
A speaker system consisting of two speakers with two wires. One of the wires is the green one to the back of the tower. The other is a USB power cord to power the speakers.
When the Vista system is on and the green speaker wire is plugged in, the Windows 7 system will not power the speakers.
When the Windows 7 system is on and the green speaker wired plugged in, the Vista system will power the speakers.
Why won't the Windows 7 pc provide power to the USB power cord for the speakers.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Why isn't the KVM installed? Are you planning on installing it?
Please describe specifically where both the speakers' audio cable and USB cable are plugged into for each situation. I don't have a clear idea of where the USB cable is plugged in.
Also, please give the brand/model of the speakers.
Please describe specifically where both the speakers' audio cable and USB cable are plugged into for each situation. I don't have a clear idea of where the USB cable is plugged in.
Also, please give the brand/model of the speakers.
ASKER
On the other questions it was said that either system should power the speakers. The USB power cord not the green plug. No sound unless both are connected.
Vista by itself will power the speakers by USB cord when the Windows 7 system in being used. The green plu is connected to the Windows 7 system while the speaker power cord is plugged into a USB port on the Vista system.
The reverse is not true.
Unless only "certain" USB ports provide power.
I guess that can be tested by moving the USB speaker power wire around one port at a time. There are a total of 9 USB ports on the Windows 7 pc.
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Why isn't the KVM installed? Are you planning on installing it?
.................yes but that would complicate the problem and the KVM can not power the speakers via the speaker power cord.
Please describe specifically where both the speakers' audio cable and USB cable are plugged into for each situation. I don't have a clear idea of where the USB cable is plugged in.
1. Both system powered. Only one system is on. The Vista with the green wire back of the Vista. The speaker power cord to the back of the Windows 7. There is no sound.
2. Same but the Windows 7 pc is on with green wires back of the 7 pc. The speaker power cord is plugged into the Vista. There is sound.
Also, please give the brand/model of the speakers.
........................a brand you have never heard of and the brand does not matter in this case. Vista will power a speaker system to Windows 7 but Windows 7 will not power a speaker system to Vista..........UNLESS only 1+ of the 9 Windows 7 USB ports provide power when plugged in to the wall but not turned on.
I have not tried all 9 one by one.
Vista by itself will power the speakers by USB cord when the Windows 7 system in being used. The green plu is connected to the Windows 7 system while the speaker power cord is plugged into a USB port on the Vista system.
The reverse is not true.
Unless only "certain" USB ports provide power.
I guess that can be tested by moving the USB speaker power wire around one port at a time. There are a total of 9 USB ports on the Windows 7 pc.
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Why isn't the KVM installed? Are you planning on installing it?
.................yes but that would complicate the problem and the KVM can not power the speakers via the speaker power cord.
Please describe specifically where both the speakers' audio cable and USB cable are plugged into for each situation. I don't have a clear idea of where the USB cable is plugged in.
1. Both system powered. Only one system is on. The Vista with the green wire back of the Vista. The speaker power cord to the back of the Windows 7. There is no sound.
2. Same but the Windows 7 pc is on with green wires back of the 7 pc. The speaker power cord is plugged into the Vista. There is sound.
Also, please give the brand/model of the speakers.
........................a brand you have never heard of and the brand does not matter in this case. Vista will power a speaker system to Windows 7 but Windows 7 will not power a speaker system to Vista..........UNLESS only 1+ of the 9 Windows 7 USB ports provide power when plugged in to the wall but not turned on.
I have not tried all 9 one by one.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Dialog among persons:
Will the wall adapter work?
Yes, it will work since pc USB ports are typically only .5 amps. If the computer can run them, the wall adapter will work because speakers draw what they need and it's not going to send more wattage\voltage then the speakers require. I have gone through several over the months. They seem to get fried based on how you connect them to device-wall outlet and type of device being charged.
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I know the fix. Leave the speaker power cord plugged into a USB post on the Vista system.
Or use an adapter but if the Vista can power the 7 system there is NO no need for the adapter.
I was curious why the 7 system can not be used the same way.
Will the wall adapter work?
Yes, it will work since pc USB ports are typically only .5 amps. If the computer can run them, the wall adapter will work because speakers draw what they need and it's not going to send more wattage\voltage then the speakers require. I have gone through several over the months. They seem to get fried based on how you connect them to device-wall outlet and type of device being charged.
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I know the fix. Leave the speaker power cord plugged into a USB post on the Vista system.
Or use an adapter but if the Vista can power the 7 system there is NO no need for the adapter.
I was curious why the 7 system can not be used the same way.
ASKER
pc use will go back and forth between the two systems very frequently.
Thus the KVM switch for monitor, mouse, keyboard, green and pick (microphone).
That leaves nothing but the power cord for the speakers. That will require:
1. wall adapter if it will work and if it gets fried over time another one may need to be purchased.
2. leave the speaker power cord in the Vista USB port not matter which pc is being used.
3. leave the speaker power cord in the 7 USB port no matter which pc is being used.
#3 is not true. No sound. Unless not all 9 USB ports on the 7 provide power.
Thus the KVM switch for monitor, mouse, keyboard, green and pick (microphone).
That leaves nothing but the power cord for the speakers. That will require:
1. wall adapter if it will work and if it gets fried over time another one may need to be purchased.
2. leave the speaker power cord in the Vista USB port not matter which pc is being used.
3. leave the speaker power cord in the 7 USB port no matter which pc is being used.
#3 is not true. No sound. Unless not all 9 USB ports on the 7 provide power.
Is the Windows 7 PC on or off when the speakers' USB cord is plugged into it? It should power the speakers while it's turned on.
As Davis McCarn notes, some PCs will still supply power to certain USB ports while "off" or in sleep mode. These are called "sleep and charge" ports and are usually colored yellow.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07/23/why-i-love-yellow-usb-ports-sleep-and-charge/
It could be that you're plugging the speakers into a "sleep and charge" USB port on the Vista PC, and not doing that on the Windows 7 PC (the Windows 7 PC may not have such a port at all).
As Davis McCarn notes, some PCs will still supply power to certain USB ports while "off" or in sleep mode. These are called "sleep and charge" ports and are usually colored yellow.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07/23/why-i-love-yellow-usb-ports-sleep-and-charge/It could be that you're plugging the speakers into a "sleep and charge" USB port on the Vista PC, and not doing that on the Windows 7 PC (the Windows 7 PC may not have such a port at all).
BTW, all USB ports provide at least power at 5V up to 500mA. However, if the USB device needs more than 500mA, you may encounter problems with certain ports.
ASKER
All USB ports on both systems are black.
Is the Windows 7 PC on or off when the speakers' USB cord is plugged into it? It should power the speakers while it's turned on.
................yes and it does power the speakers when the 7 system is on.
There are two fixes which are the adapter or always leave the speaker power cord plugged into the Vista USB port.
The question is why won't the 7 pc power the speakers when the Vista system is on and the 7 system is turned off.
I'll test all 9 USB ports on the 7. The previous owner of the system is a member here and he may even know if all USB ports will power the speakers when the 7 system is off.
Is the Windows 7 PC on or off when the speakers' USB cord is plugged into it? It should power the speakers while it's turned on.
................yes and it does power the speakers when the 7 system is on.
There are two fixes which are the adapter or always leave the speaker power cord plugged into the Vista USB port.
The question is why won't the 7 pc power the speakers when the Vista system is on and the 7 system is turned off.
I'll test all 9 USB ports on the 7. The previous owner of the system is a member here and he may even know if all USB ports will power the speakers when the 7 system is off.
Note that while a "sleep and charge" port can be yellow, it doesn't have to be yellow. If the Vista PC is off/asleep and still supplying power via USB, that's a "sleep and charge" port. The ports losing power while the PC is off is normal, so there's nothing wrong with the way the Windows 7 PC is working.
What are the brand/model of each PC?
What are the brand/model of each PC?
ASKER
Vista custom built no brand name. Windows 7 Lenovo M90.
The ports losing power while the PC is off is normal, so there's nothing wrong with the way the Windows 7 PC is working.
..............If it is normal why does the Vista provide power to the speakers connected to the 7 when the Vista is turned off?
I'm thinking now that not all 9 ports on the 7 are powered 24/7.
The Vista in turn has less USB ports = 6.
The ports losing power while the PC is off is normal, so there's nothing wrong with the way the Windows 7 PC is working.
..............If it is normal why does the Vista provide power to the speakers connected to the 7 when the Vista is turned off?
I'm thinking now that not all 9 ports on the 7 are powered 24/7.
The Vista in turn has less USB ports = 6.
What's the brand/model of the Vista's motherboard? I assume the USB ports in question are part of the motherboard, and not part of an expansion card?
The Vista PC is providing power because the Vista PC is abnormal. It could be that the motherboard manufacturer decided to make some or all of the USB ports "sleep and charge" before painting the ports yellow became standard, or even before "sleep and charge" became standard.
Did you test all the ports on the Vista PC?
The Vista PC is providing power because the Vista PC is abnormal. It could be that the motherboard manufacturer decided to make some or all of the USB ports "sleep and charge" before painting the ports yellow became standard, or even before "sleep and charge" became standard.
Did you test all the ports on the Vista PC?
ASKER
All ports on the Vista work. They all power the speakers.
The matter is the 7 machine. I just tested all of those USB ports while the system was turned off and the Vista was turned on. My mistake there are not 9 ports on the 7 there are only 8. One of the 9 is for some other type plug. Two of the USB ports were marked by the previous owner. The top two on the back are marked mouse and KB (keyboard)
I turned on the audio file and it played on the Vista using the Vista USB for the power to the speaker.
I unplugged the power cord and tried all 8 of the Windows 7 ports. No sound. Back to the Vista and sound resumed.
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It seems none of the 8 USB ports provide power when the system is turned off.
Why not since it is a newer system?
Maybe there is a setting that would turn on power to one of these 8?
The matter is the 7 machine. I just tested all of those USB ports while the system was turned off and the Vista was turned on. My mistake there are not 9 ports on the 7 there are only 8. One of the 9 is for some other type plug. Two of the USB ports were marked by the previous owner. The top two on the back are marked mouse and KB (keyboard)
I turned on the audio file and it played on the Vista using the Vista USB for the power to the speaker.
I unplugged the power cord and tried all 8 of the Windows 7 ports. No sound. Back to the Vista and sound resumed.
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It seems none of the 8 USB ports provide power when the system is turned off.
Why not since it is a newer system?
Maybe there is a setting that would turn on power to one of these 8?
What's the brand/model of the Vista motherboard?
There's nothing in the specs for the Lenovo M90 that indicate that there's an ability to keep the USB ports powered while the PC is off/asleep:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/migr-74675#pow
It's not directly tied to the age of the PC, but more about what the manufacturer decided to implement, which may have been before or after another manufacturer. That said, I have a newer Lenovo that has a yellow USB port
There's nothing in the specs for the Lenovo M90 that indicate that there's an ability to keep the USB ports powered while the PC is off/asleep:
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/migr-74675#pow
It's not directly tied to the age of the PC, but more about what the manufacturer decided to implement, which may have been before or after another manufacturer. That said, I have a newer Lenovo that has a yellow USB port
BTW, the "other port" on the Lenovo is the Displayport. It's a similar size to USB, but with a "notch" on one corner. It's use for sending digital video, similar to DVI-D or HDMI.
From left to right: Mini Displayport, Displayport, USB
From left to right: Mini Displayport, Displayport, USB
ASKER
What's the brand/model of the Vista motherboard?
There's nothing really in the User Guide or specs for that motherboard that state it can power USB while off.
http://www.ascendtech.us/msi-ms-7309-s-am2-ddr2-pcie-motherboard_i_mb64msims730913.aspx
https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/K9N6SGMV__K9N6PGMFI__K9N6PGMF.html#hero-overview
You could check in BIOS for an option similar to "USB Power Off State" or "Power/Sleep USB". Look for something like that under the Power Management or Power menu in BIOS.
http://www.ascendtech.us/msi-ms-7309-s-am2-ddr2-pcie-motherboard_i_mb64msims730913.aspx
https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/K9N6SGMV__K9N6PGMFI__K9N6PGMF.html#hero-overview
You could check in BIOS for an option similar to "USB Power Off State" or "Power/Sleep USB". Look for something like that under the Power Management or Power menu in BIOS.
There are options in the device manager which will prevent Windows from powering down the USB ports (WinKey+R then DEVMGMT.MSC) and/or the Vista PC may not be going to sleep. Turning off the display is not the same as going to sleep and many an older PC's will seem to be going to sleep; but, fail to do so.
You have those same options on the Windows 7 PC (leaving USB power on or not sleeping); but, I am worried that you seem to have "fried" more than one USB charging adapter. That should only be happening if you have really dirty AC power or are inducing spikes into the current drawn by the speakers.
You have those same options on the Windows 7 PC (leaving USB power on or not sleeping); but, I am worried that you seem to have "fried" more than one USB charging adapter. That should only be happening if you have really dirty AC power or are inducing spikes into the current drawn by the speakers.
The USB charger power supplies are frying because they're buying cheap $2 ones. See this item from the previous thread:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291942403668
Really cheap chargers skimp on efficiency, filtering, and safety features, and can damage devices or even start fires or shock you. See here for more info:
http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html
http://www.epanorama.net/newepa/2014/09/01/teardown-of-cheap-usb-charger/
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
Which isn't to say that they have to be crazy expensive. I've had good results with this $11 charger (iClever BoostCube) from Amazon
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QTE09SY/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291942403668
Really cheap chargers skimp on efficiency, filtering, and safety features, and can damage devices or even start fires or shock you. See here for more info:
http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html
http://www.epanorama.net/newepa/2014/09/01/teardown-of-cheap-usb-charger/
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
Which isn't to say that they have to be crazy expensive. I've had good results with this $11 charger (iClever BoostCube) from Amazon
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QTE09SY/
ASKER
Davis:
You have those same options on the Windows 7 PC (leaving USB power on or not sleeping)
........................I have not even received the wall outlet to USB adapter (for cell phones, computer speakers, etc.)
I'm waiting until after 5 pm to reboot and look into the bios settings on the Vista system to see what the settings show. Then I can do the same on the 7 system.
For option similar to "USB Power Off State" or "Power/Sleep USB". Look for something like that under the Power Management or Power menu in BIOS.
You have those same options on the Windows 7 PC (leaving USB power on or not sleeping)
........................I have not even received the wall outlet to USB adapter (for cell phones, computer speakers, etc.)
I'm waiting until after 5 pm to reboot and look into the bios settings on the Vista system to see what the settings show. Then I can do the same on the 7 system.
For option similar to "USB Power Off State" or "Power/Sleep USB". Look for something like that under the Power Management or Power menu in BIOS.
ASKER
This article leads to a possible solution. I clicked on one of the root hubs but can not change the setting as you can see.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3045567/windows/how-to-keep-charging-your-usb-devices-past-your-pcs-bedtime.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3045567/windows/how-to-keep-charging-your-usb-devices-past-your-pcs-bedtime.html
If it's not able to, it's not able to. It comes down to the USB chipset on the motherboard, and what it's capable of, and what the motherboard and its BIOS has enabled.
You can check the BIOS on the Lenovo to see if there's an option to enable/disable it. Note though that I just checked my Lenovo, and no such option exists in the BIOS, even though it has a yellow port that's always on.
You could also try updating the BIOS to see if the feature is added. However, updating the BIOS is risky, since if the update fails, the PC may become unusable. Here's the latest BIOS update for the M90:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/Desktops-and-all-in-ones/ThinkCentre-M-Series-desktops/ThinkCentre-M90/downloads/DS014923
Honestly though, since you know the speakers can always get power from the Vista PC's USB ports, just use that.
You can check the BIOS on the Lenovo to see if there's an option to enable/disable it. Note though that I just checked my Lenovo, and no such option exists in the BIOS, even though it has a yellow port that's always on.
You could also try updating the BIOS to see if the feature is added. However, updating the BIOS is risky, since if the update fails, the PC may become unusable. Here's the latest BIOS update for the M90:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/Desktops-and-all-in-ones/ThinkCentre-M-Series-desktops/ThinkCentre-M90/downloads/DS014923
Honestly though, since you know the speakers can always get power from the Vista PC's USB ports, just use that.
I believe that device manager is from the Vista PC (based upon the devices it shows) and it is the box that is unchecked (Allow the computer to turn off this device) That you need to uncheck on the Windows 7 PC so it will leave the USB port powered on when it sleeps.
Remember, too, that the speakers do not use the USB port for communication so the PC will not show the option to allow wake. All you are using the USB for is to supply 5 volts so the speakers will work, the green plug is the audio signal.
Remember, too, that the speakers do not use the USB port for communication so the PC will not show the option to allow wake. All you are using the USB for is to supply 5 volts so the speakers will work, the green plug is the audio signal.
ASKER
Yes those settings were Vista.
I moved to 7 and the F12 key and looked in the bios and saw no power management tab but there was a list of all 8 USB ports and all are enabled. I had no intention of changing anything just looking around.
The settings for Windows 7 in the device manager are the same.
Somewhere there has to be (??) a setting to enable a port. Don't some people or businesses hook a system up and locked it in a room for weeks or months and use it to power some USB device?
I moved to 7 and the F12 key and looked in the bios and saw no power management tab but there was a list of all 8 USB ports and all are enabled. I had no intention of changing anything just looking around.
The settings for Windows 7 in the device manager are the same.
Somewhere there has to be (??) a setting to enable a port. Don't some people or businesses hook a system up and locked it in a room for weeks or months and use it to power some USB device?
Why would you use a turned-off PC solely to power a USB device? That's what a wall wart USB charger adapter is for.
Again, it's not part of the USB standard that the ports have to be on at all times, and in the beginning most defaulted to turning them off when the PC is off, so you're not powering devices that aren't in use (keyboards, mice, etc). It was mostly with the advent of Cell Phones switching to USB-based charging that the idea of leaving a USB port on while the PC is off/asleep became popular, hence the rise of yellow "sleep and charge" ports.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07/23/why-i-love-yellow-usb-ports-sleep-and-charge/
There's nothing "wrong" with your Windows 7 PC not leaving any USB ports on while the PC is off, and it's not necessarily something that can be "fixed" with a setting change. It's just basically a difference in opinion in functionality and utility.
Again, it's not part of the USB standard that the ports have to be on at all times, and in the beginning most defaulted to turning them off when the PC is off, so you're not powering devices that aren't in use (keyboards, mice, etc). It was mostly with the advent of Cell Phones switching to USB-based charging that the idea of leaving a USB port on while the PC is off/asleep became popular, hence the rise of yellow "sleep and charge" ports.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07/23/why-i-love-yellow-usb-ports-sleep-and-charge/
There's nothing "wrong" with your Windows 7 PC not leaving any USB ports on while the PC is off, and it's not necessarily something that can be "fixed" with a setting change. It's just basically a difference in opinion in functionality and utility.
ASKER
Why would you use a turned-off PC solely to power a USB device? That's what a wall wort USB charger adapter is for.
..................the only device we need powered by USB is the computer speaker. Yes a wall adapter works but other people have said they eventually go bad and you may be buying more forever. I ordered one of them and it will arrive soon and I use that. When it fries itself, I throw it away. Then use the Vista to power the speakers when I am using the two systems back and forth.
My whole question was why did the 7 system not have a power USB port like the Vista.
..................the only device we need powered by USB is the computer speaker. Yes a wall adapter works but other people have said they eventually go bad and you may be buying more forever. I ordered one of them and it will arrive soon and I use that. When it fries itself, I throw it away. Then use the Vista to power the speakers when I am using the two systems back and forth.
My whole question was why did the 7 system not have a power USB port like the Vista.
SOLUTION
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The Speakers should have an audio cable with a headphone-jack style plug. They should also have a Power cable, which sounds like it uses a USB-A plug on the end to plug into a USB-A port.
The speaker's audio cable should plug into the KVM. The speaker's power cable should go to a USB power adapter plugged into an AC outlet.
The KVM should then have audio cables running to each PC, along with Keyboard, Video, and Mouse. These should stay plugged into the PCs at all times. When the you switch the KVM, it should switch which PC is sending audio to the speakers as well.
Can you give the brand/model of the KVM? While you're at it, could you give the brand/model of the speakers?