USB Ports always "On"

[Jay011]

I have a Spectre 360, HP refurbished, 1 month old. All 3 USB ports have current when the computer is sleeping or powered off. I use a cooling pad and it runs even when the computer is asleep or off. I can unplug it, but don't always remember. Is it normal for all USB ports to have current when the computer is off?

[banhien · Accepted solution]

@Jay011

I don't know what is your model/product but the one I'm looking at its manual right now only has 2 USB 3.0 ports (1 right, 1 left) and BOTH ports are charging (powered) ports. They supply power when sleep or power off.

Please use the following instructions to find out the model/product of your machine:

  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

  Please do NOT post its Serial number (s/n).

Regards.

[Dragon-Fur]

Apologies for jumping in unannounced.

Yes, it is normal.

Commentary - Personal Experience

When I used to run a cooler on my bigger notebooks, I made use of a powered hub with an on / off switch.

You still have to remember to switch off the hub.  If the hub is sitting right in front of you (say near the keyboard), it is easier to remember to switch off the hub than to reach around to unplug your device (cooler).

"Takes three weeks to develop a new habit."

Stick annoying bits of paper all over the place to help you remember.  This works... and it is sufficiently annoying to "hurry up" the learning curve.  Smiling.

I also have always had coolers that provide their own on / off switch -- same problem -- you do have to learn to switch off the cooler.

I liked the powered hub arrangement; the hub supplied its own power to the cooler without sucking the life out of my big notebook.  Switching off the hub switched off the cooler even should I not remember that the cooler did have its own switch and air flow controls.

Assuming the new notebooks with the "charging" ports can still make use of a powered hub, it might be worth a look.  Amazon, for example, has several powered hubs some of which have little on/off switches on each port.  Cute.  (I don't advocate you shop at any particular store -- Amazon happens to be one of many online stores to consider while searching.)

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[Jay011]

Thanks for the very complete response. I've always used a cooling pad, even on a small personal laptop. With past PC's, I was occasionally frustrated because the USB ports powered down with the computer. Yes, I'll focus, adjust and I'll check out the small powered hubs.