USB

Darla bought a new computer and she sees that her headphone jack also works as a microphone jack. She does an outdoor sports podcast and needs to use her old headsets with it, though. Leo says it's true that new computers use the headphone jack as a mic in as well. This is by far the worst way to get audio into the computer, though. Leo advises using a USB audio interface. It will take any microphone, even professional grade XLR mics, and connect it into an interface that will convert the analog signal into digital data that will be transferred over USB. That will eliminate any RF noise.

Brandon got a Google Nexus 5. He tried to plug in his Android phone into his PC but it won't sync -- it only charges. Leo says that his PC isn't loading the USB drivers for it, which is why it's not syncing. Leo says another option is to try a program called AirDroid. It will then connect over Wi-Fi and he won't have that syncing issue. It's a bit slower, but it's a good workaround.

Jason uses a logging app that will automatically add GPS data when he creates an entry. It would take something from an external GPS through a com port, which is obviously something his laptop doesn't have. He found an app that allows for GPS over Bluetooth so he can use the app on his laptop. Most laptops have Bluetooth built-in, but the app is looking for that data from a com port. The chatroom recommends the GlobalSat GPS receiver for $35, and it works via USB. They also make USB to Serial port adapters.

Mark bought a Dell Desktop with Windows 8 and downgraded to Windows 7. But his USB 3 hard drive isn't working right when waking from sleep, even after he's re-installed the drivers. He has to reboot the computer to get it to read the hard drive.

Leo says to check out the USB Root Hub. He should make sure that the checkbox "wake from sleep" is enabled (checked). Otherwise it won't wake up.

Chris wants to get some data off an old Windows 98 machine, but doesn't know how to do it. Leo says to pull the drive out of the computer and get a Universal Drive Adapter. Then he can essentially turn the drive into a USB drive, plug it in to his new computer via USB and pull the data off it.

Matthew has an 11" Asus T100 and he wants to get a smaller tablet. He wants it to work with an inspection camera. He hates Windows 8. Leo says that's no surprise. But if the camera comes with software, then he may be limited. If it's just a generic USB plugin, he may still be stuck. Some tablet's USB plugs only work for charging. He'll need a tablet with a USB plug supported for OTG or "on-the-go" options.

Brent wants to create a central network attached storage that can cater both OS X and Windows. Leo says a NAS devices are great for that purpose. Western Digital is a basic NAS that can do the job. More advanced products like Synology offer advanced features that can be advantageous.

Torry has been a programmer since he was a kid and he has a bunch of 5 1/4" floppy discs with his original programs on it. Where can he get a USB drive that can read them? Leo says that at this point, eBay may be the best bet. But it's quite possible that he may not be able to get one that's USB powered. The challenge is going to be that it uses a serial interface and he'll have to have an adapter in order to get it to work.

Lou has an iPhone 5 and has been hesitating upgrading to iOS7, so he hasn't. Leo says that Apple will be releasing iOS 7.1 soon, so it may be wise to just wait a little bit longer. Lou also wants to know why the Lightning connector doesn't work all the time. Leo says that if Lou bought it from a third party, that could be the issue. If it's not charging, it may be that Lou is connecting to a USB port that doesn't have enough juice running through it. USB adapters have different amps. Anything less than 5v x 1 amp, it won't charge. The iPad requires 5.1 v x 2.1 amps.