Mysterious Cable

typhoon_2099 · 22nd January 2010, 18:52

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I'm having trouble understanding the above cable. It's a Mini B male to Type A female cable, but I have no idea how it's of any use at all.

Any insight would be very much appreciated.

P.S. I found it plugged into a Sony Ericsson phone cable if that's any help.

Guest · 22nd January 2010, 20:09

It's a mini USB to normal USB adapter cable. My Western Digital Passport drives come with one.

typhoon_2099 · 22nd January 2010, 20:21

And what's it used for? I.E. If you plug it into your hard drive, what's supposed to plug into the other end of the adapter?

Video Dude · 22nd January 2010, 20:24

It is a USB cable adaptor. Basically you attach it to a standard USB cable when you need one end mini and the other end Type A.

The mini connector plugs into a device like a camera or phone.

You then take a standard USB cable and plug it into the Type A female connector.

typhoon_2099 · 22nd January 2010, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Dude

Basically you attach it to a standard USB cable when you need one end mini and the other end Type A.

But the Type A side of the cable you're plugging it into would be in the above cable, unless you have a Male A to Male A cable (which is even more pointless). The only use I can see for it would be plugging in a Male A-Male B cable, i you have a camera that you can plug into a printer. Which I doubt.

Video Dude · 22nd January 2010, 23:12

You have a USB A Female to Mini USB B 5Pin Male Adapter Cable.

Device <--> Adapter <--> Standard USB Cable <--> Computer

CWR03 · 23rd January 2010, 02:05

I have a small 7-in-one multimedia card reader that came with a ridiculously short cable like that too. Since my last PC had no front-mounted USB ports, I had to lean over the PC and leave the reader to dangle from the USB port while I retrieved my digital photos from an SD card. I eventually replaced the cable with a 4-foot one and threw the short one away. I suppose it would be fine with a laptop where you can set the device on the desk next to it.

spuddog · 23rd January 2010, 02:14

Never! ever throw away cables. Someday you will say "I had a cable (adapter) like that, I wish I had not thrown it away".

Scott

CWR03 · 23rd January 2010, 03:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuddog

Someday you will say "I had a cable (adapter) like that, I wish I had not thrown it away".

I used to save everything - I had more stuff than room to keep it. Now if it's something I know I won't need anytime soon and can replace easily or cheaply, it goes in the trash. I don't throw out proprietary cables, but what typhoon_2099 pictured is something you can get at Wal-Mart.

typhoon_2099 · 23rd January 2010, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWR03

but what typhoon_2099 pictured is something you can get at Wal-Mart.

It's also essentially useless.

22nd January 2010, 18:52	#1 \| Link
typhoon_2099 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 35	Mysterious Cable *Image Removed* I'm having trouble understanding the above cable. It's a Mini B male to Type A female cable, but I have no idea how it's of any use at all. Any insight would be very much appreciated. P.S. I found it plugged into a Sony Ericsson phone cable if that's any help. __________________ http://avideojokeaday.blogspot.com Last edited by typhoon_2099; 4th July 2017 at 11:19.

22nd January 2010, 20:21	#3 \| Link
typhoon_2099 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 35	And what's it used for? I.E. If you plug it into your hard drive, what's supposed to plug into the other end of the adapter? __________________ http://avideojokeaday.blogspot.com

23rd January 2010, 02:14	#8 \| Link
spuddog Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: southern illinois, usa Posts: 123	Never! ever throw away cables. Someday you will say "I had a cable (adapter) like that, I wish I had not thrown it away". Scott __________________ Scott M.

22nd January 2010, 20:09	#2 \| Link
Guest Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 21,868	It's a mini USB to normal USB adapter cable. My Western Digital Passport drives come with one.

22nd January 2010, 20:24	#4 \| Link
Video Dude Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,055	It is a USB cable adaptor. Basically you attach it to a standard USB cable when you need one end mini and the other end Type A. The mini connector plugs into a device like a camera or phone. You then take a standard USB cable and plug it into the Type A female connector.

22nd January 2010, 23:12	#6 \| Link
Video Dude Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,055	You have a USB A Female to Mini USB B 5Pin Male Adapter Cable. Device <--> Adapter <--> Standard USB Cable <--> Computer

23rd January 2010, 02:05	#7 \| Link
CWR03 Custom User Title Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,733	I have a small 7-in-one multimedia card reader that came with a ridiculously short cable like that too. Since my last PC had no front-mounted USB ports, I had to lean over the PC and leave the reader to dangle from the USB port while I retrieved my digital photos from an SD card. I eventually replaced the cable with a 4-foot one and threw the short one away. I suppose it would be fine with a laptop where you can set the device on the desk next to it.