Portable usb hard drive problem

[max]

Hi Friends,

I have a pci 4 ports usb card in my pc, when I connect two portable
hard drives, each have two usb cables the drives did not work, while
I can use one drive at a time.
the 4 usb ports does not supply the same current ie 500ma per port?
how to use two drives at a time?

Regards

[oldvan]

A)  Use an external power supply for at least one of the drives.

or

B) Connect at least one of the drives to the computer through a powered hub.

[pickit2]

The problem is the pci card can only power 500ma total you could steal the power for one of the drives from a motherboard usb port, or from the keyboard / mouse connector, as most people use a usb mouse.