[Q] Connecting to external HDD - Xperia Tablet Z Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was wondering whether I could connect an external HDD (powered) to XTZ. Do I need an OTG cable or just a plain microUSB to USB adapter will do the job?

OTG cable, like on all other Android devices with Micro USB.

hasenbein1966 said:
OTG cable, like on all other Android devices with Micro USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Well bought me an OTG cable. Seems to recognise keyboard, mouse and usb flashdisks but whenever I connect an HDD, either selfpowered or powered through the usb port, it is always recognised as damaged USB storage… then asks me to format it. In case I choose to format it nothing happens. I should mention that this happens with FAT32 HDDs too. Isn't XTZ capable connecting to external HDD?

Did you solve the problem? I going to buy XTZ but for me is essensial chance to connect external HD

It is possible and works, but it only if the HDD has an own power supply.

No I didn't manage to access ANY type of HDD self-powered or not and any kind of format i.e. Fat32, exFat, Ntfs etc. I only managed to access usb sticks and input devices (mouse, keyboard).
I am rather disappointed from this issue…

Can I charge my cellphone if I connect it to the tablet with the usb host Cable ?
Using the tablet as an external battery for emergencies. Thanks
Sent from my C6602 using xda app-developers app

Very unlikely.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app

oopsgr said:
Thank you. Well bought me an OTG cable. Seems to recognise keyboard, mouse and usb flashdisks but whenever I connect an HDD, either selfpowered or powered through the usb port, it is always recognised as damaged USB storage… then asks me to format it. In case I choose to format it nothing happens. I should mention that this happens with FAT32 HDDs too. Isn't XTZ capable connecting to external HDD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which one did you buy? I bought a pack from amazon but none (of the 4) worked. I only tried using it to sync a ps3 controller though.

oopsgr said:
No I didn't manage to access ANY type of HDD self-powered or not and any kind of format i.e. Fat32, exFat, Ntfs etc. I only managed to access usb sticks and input devices (mouse, keyboard).
I am rather disappointed from this issue…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 16GB WiFi version and I have no problems at all reading external media. Here is what I did:
Before starting I reformatted the HDD with "exFAT" file system using a regular Windows PC. I did a full format, not the "Quick Format" option. This took a looooong time to complete with the big drives. In the XTZ I installed "ASTRO" File Explorer from Google Play to perform the file operation. After that I was ready to go. I already tested with copying a 20GB file and it worked fine.
The same procedure worked for:
- 32GB micro SanDisk
- 64GB micro SanDisk
- 128Gb USB pendrive (OTG cable needed to connect)
- 300GB USB external HDD (OTG cable + powered USB-hub needed to connect)
I hope this helps

Related

Connecting HD by USB

Hello there,
I have a problem when trying to connect my portable HD (250GB) through USB adapter, it say that is not possible to conncet. I though the problem was the adapter, but not because I could connect a regular USB memory.
Anyone has been this problem, and What was the solve?
Thanks in advance
My guess is that the drive is in NTFS format and not something Android can read, like FAT32.
It's either the file system as mentioned by steckums or the usb adapter doesn't provide enough power for the hard disk to run.
Almost all usb hard disk drives require "high power" from the usb port which the adapter can not deliver. It should say so in the error message. You need a powered usb hub to connect a usb drive to the Tab.
gokpog said:
It's either the file system as mentioned by steckums or the usb adapter doesn't provide enough power for the hard disk to run.
Almost all usb hard disk drives require "high power" from the usb port which the adapter can not deliver. It should say so in the error message. You need a powered usb hub to connect a usb drive to the Tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply, if this is the cause will be imposible to connect my HD? or if I connect a hub to the adapter the HD will works?
Tanks
Yes, the following has been reported to work as long as the HDD is formated to FAT32:
USB HDD - powered USB hub - USB Adapter - Galaxy Tab 10.1
gokpog said:
Yes, the following has been reported to work as long as the HDD is formated to FAT32:
USB HDD - powered USB hub - USB Adapter - Galaxy Tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it, and report
I tried but didnt work.
I connected the HDD to regular hub and nothing, i never know what is a powered hub. Then a reformat the HDD to FAT 32 and the tablet was not able to start.
The last test was try to connect a powered HDD and this one was reconized by tablet but the oroblem was the format.
In conclusion the problem is the power and the format of HDD.
Thanks for your answers
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

[Q] USB Host

Hello
I'm currently using a sony tablet, and considering to replace it with the Prime ... My main concerned is about USB support. I cannot find any clear answer to the following question : Is the prime supporting USB self powered external drives ? directly on the tablet or through the dock?
I'm owning a Iomega 1To external portable drive, formated into NTFS, and I really want to use it when I'm travelling.
Thanks in advance for your feedback
Yup, I use a USB powered 1TB external drive with mine and all works fine!
i have plugged several NTFS formatted usb harddrives into my prime dock and was able to browse the files.
Cant guarantee it will work with yours but it did with mine.
Thanks for your replies !
Were the disks 2.5 self powered or with an external power supply ?
I tried it successfully with a selfpowered 2.5" disk.

Usb otg + laptop hard drive + usb host

Hi, i wanted to know if it was possible to connect my internal laptop hard drive via usb otg and read the files from it.
I believe i will need a usb host to power the hard drive via mains and an external caddy to hook up the HD. Could anyone confirm if this set up will work and whether it will be at all possible to read the files of the hard drive.
Thank you for any help.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
First of all, you need a SATA-to-USB or IDE-to-USB adapter to connect the internal HDD via USB.
It depends on yout HDD if the S2 can serve enough power. Try it out. If it does not work, you need a self-powered USB-Hub between S2 and HDD.
Hi, thanks for the reply. I went to a computer shop where they used an external caddy and i tried to connect it to the usb otg cable but it didn't recognise the hdd.
Do you have a recommended self powered host? Or will any (cheapest option) on ebay suffice?
Thanks again
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

External USB Drive

Hi,
I have just bought a new Tab and want to use my external hard drive with it. I have the USB connector and a y cable to provide power to the external drive, when I plug in it recognises the drive but says it is blank, the drive is in FAT32 format so should be OK. I have done some searching on Google and can`t seem to find an answer. The drive is a Western Digital 320gb passport.
Can anyone help?
Sent from my GT-P5110 using XDA Premium HD app
Tab doesn't support hard drives. Only pen drives
Sent from my E10i using Tapatalk 2
It should work as long as its powered.
AGREED with @scottx bro (never tried though)
Is there an issue with the partition size as I have seen in the forums for some other Samsung devices they only read up to 64 gig?
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andy1120 said:
Is there an issue with the partition size as I have seen in the forums for some other Samsung devices they only read up to 64 gig?
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
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Click to collapse
maybe it is problem with formatting. lake in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29936599&postcount=3
can you help me please?
is possible to connect a internet usb key with a dongle connector?
sarumans said:
can you help me please?
is possible to connect a internet usb key with a dongle connector?
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Click to collapse
According to this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1666608&highlight=usb+dongle yes
---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ----------
panariga said:
maybe it is problem with formatting. lake in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=29936599&postcount=3
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Click to collapse
Yes, needs to be FAT32, not exFAT
harry47 said:
Tab doesn't support hard drives. Only pen drives
Sent from my E10i using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
yes it does. i've got it working on my tab 2 and note II.
my drive is 560gb ntfs formatted. The drive needs to be powered and the software app "Paragon NTFS&HFS+" to auto mount the drive.
Photo
Drives are supported
Aliendex said:
Photo
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Click to collapse
Hello All, I also confirm that the Drives are supported I also use 1TB Hard drive connected but to achive that I have the Tab2 7" the original samsung usb adapter for OTG then I connect a USB hub with double USB cable one to connect to a usb charger and the another end to the samsung adapter, the I connect the Drive to one of the USB inputs of the hub and you can use the drive ( I have it formatted as FAT32) and I think I can access the hole drive. I have like 500Gb used and at least I can see all the folders I have. I think I also was able to connect other devices at the same time without problems. (Usb mouse and keyboard).
I am not sure if the trick is the USB hub as in my Playstation if I connect the 1TB drive it is not detected but if I connect the hub with the drive then it is detected and had no issue to access it. Probably it is the same for android devices. =S
If someone need to use the hard drive in windows and in the tablet I suggest to prefer NTFS file system..
With PARAGON exFAT, NTFS & HFS+ we can mount hard drive without format it and we can use use as same as a flash drive
For an external hard drive 3,5" we need the wall plug, so we only need to connect the USB through the USB otg adaptor and here to the tablet
If we have a 2,5" hard drive without wall plug there are a few methods:
Use a USB hub with a wall plug and connect it with a Y cable (with this method we can connect other devices like mouse or keyboard)
Use a small USB wall plug and connect it with a Y cable
This two method are the easier but we need a wall plug, I'm trying right now to make small USB battery charger so we can go out and use the hard drive for some hours.
Another solution is to buy an SSD and connect it through a hard disk bay for data to usb interface
With his small amount of current I think it doesn't require a wall plug, but it costs so much for now..

[Q] connecting to USB HDD

Hi,
I'm looking to get either the Tab or Note 10.1, but need to know whether its possible to transfer images from the micro SD card to an external USb powered HDD. I know I can get hold of a micro usb male/ mini usb male adapter to link the Tab/Note to the HDD, but don't know if the Tab/Note will power the drive, or if it's possible to transfer pics in this way.
I'm planning a roadtrip in the USA later this year and would not have regular access to wifi to upload images to 'dropbox' etc so would rather back them up to a HDD.
I know there are several similar postings, but no suitable/applicable answers.
Suggestions/answers ?
Cheers
Rivendell63 said:
Hi,
I'm looking to get either the Tab or Note 10.1, but need to know whether its possible to transfer images from the micro SD card to an external USb powered HDD. I know I can get hold of a micro usb male/ mini usb male adapter to link the Tab/Note to the HDD, but don't know if the Tab/Note will power the drive, or if it's possible to transfer pics in this way.
I'm planning a roadtrip in the USA later this year and would not have regular access to wifi to upload images to 'dropbox' etc so would rather back them up to a HDD.
I know there are several similar postings, but no suitable/applicable answers.
Suggestions/answers ?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Tab 10.1 doesn't have a micro SD card slot - the Tab 2 does. On the Tab 10.1 there's a chunk of the internal memory mounted as /sdcard that you can store your photos on.
As far as moving files to an external drive goes, you can do that with most file managers so that's no problem.
One issue you may have is that the external drive will need to be formatted as FAT 32, not NTFS. That means that you can't copy files larger than 4GB to the external drive. That's probably not going to be a problem for you if you're moving images (not movies).
To connect the drive, you'll need an OTG cable, which are fairly inexpensive. However, there's no guarantee that the tablet will be able to power the drive. External thumb drives work fine for me. I haven't tried any portable hard drives, but as long as the current demand is fairly low it may work. Some people have had success with portable drives, so it's worth giving it a try, especially if you're talking about a notebook size drive as those tend to be less power hungry.
I have successfully mounted an external HDD via a externally powered USB-Hub. The FAT32 partition can be mounted without additional software, the NTFS partition can be mounted with the free app "NTFS mount". USB-Sticks will be powered by the tablet without problem. The problem is, that the combined card reader / USB adaptor can only be used with one function at a time. So I had to copy the SD-card to the internal storage of the tab and then move it from there to the external HDD.
You might want to think about buying an Intenso Memory 2 Move HDD. It's an external 2.5" HDD with a battery (6 hours) and a wifi hotspot. You can access the drive via wifi, ethernet RJ45 and USB 3.0. Works like a charm with Android.
Regards
Achim
Sorry, it was the Tab 2 (10.1 screen, stylus thing etc) I was meaning but couldn't find a heading for it. Is it likely to power an external 2.5 drive ?
Most certainly it will not power HDD. The easiest solution is an external miniature USB hub with power supply.
Regards
Achim
I would like to mention that HDD must be partitioned as GPT to work otherwise it shows as corrupt.
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