Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2020 September 18

= September 18 =

USB connected SATA disk drive
I have a recently acquired 3TB SATA disk, which I mounted in an existing enclosure which claims to be USB2.0. It works but runs dog slow (for reading large files). I bought a USB C 3.0 to SATA connector, which I connected to a USB C 3.0 port on my laptop. There is a red power LED tell-tale which comes on, but the drive is not recognized.

Is this likely to be just a duff component? Or is there likely to be another issue, such as the port being unable to power a mechanical drive, or a config issue?

All the best: Rich Farmbrough  11:41, 18 September 2020 (UTC).


 * Yes, the most likely thing is the USB port won't supply enough current to run a full size (3.5") disk (and a number of such adapters say they'll run a 2.5" or an SSD, but not a 3.5"). Some USB-SATA adapters have a socket for a 12V barrel jack to allow them to power a 3.5" disk. -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 12:01, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * Can confirm this is the issue, successfully put a 2.5" mechanical disk on the adaptor. Thanks! All the best: Rich Farmbrough  12:02, 18 September 2020 (UTC).


 * Yeah, 3.5 drives need an external power supply. Make sure any adapter/enclosure you get supports UASP for better performance. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 23:32, 22 September 2020 (UTC)
 * I have an Inateck USB enclosure that supports both 2.5 and 3.5 drives. It works well and is quite affordable. (Put this in a separate edit because I was tripping some weird corner case in an edit filter.) --47.146.63.87 (talk) 23:34, 22 September 2020 (UTC)

Google Maps Technical Support Email Address
Is there an email address for Google technical support for Google Maps where I can send an email describing a problem and expect to get at least an interim response, such as a request for more detail, within 24 hours, from a human?

I have looked for a phone number, and have found a general-purpose 855 number and a general-purpose 866 number (and I know that 855 and 866 are the same), but both of them say that, due to the covid-19 pandemic, technical support is understaffed. That is stupid, because six months should have been long enough to set up call handling to employees at home, but I realize that phone support may have always been a function that the company wanted an excuse to get rid of (and email technical support may be another area). That is, if a company wants to be non-responsive, the pandemic is an excuse, although it is not a reason.

I realize that I haven't described the actual problem, and I don't plan to describe it. Robert McClenon (talk) 15:20, 18 September 2020 (UTC)


 * Google's whole business model is to automate absolutely everything they can (including to a range of AI and expert systems). Even customers or partners who represent a credible income stream have great difficulty getting a real person. -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 15:34, 18 September 2020 (UTC)


 * The right-click popup menu on Google Maps has an item to "Report a data problem". You need to have a Google account to use it, so I don't know exactly how it works. --174.88.168.23 (talk) 16:29, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * I think that I have a Google account. A data problem seems to mean an issue with the map, which is not what I am trying to report.  The difficulty of getting through to a human is yet another why I think I should not trust Google's cloud even as much as I trust Microsoft's cloud (which I don't).  Thank you for now.  Any further comments will be appreciated.  Robert McClenon (talk) 16:34, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * It is not Google's responsibility to make a human available. Using a free map service does not make you a customer. You are a data point. If you pay for cloud service, it comes with support services because you would then be a customer. 97.82.165.112 (talk) 21:38, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * Any attempt to contact Google is a waste of time. Have you tried using the support forum? Or just google your issue? The chances are that other people have the same issue.--Shantavira|feed me 20:25, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * @Robert McClenon, usually you can edit phone numbers in Google Maps yourself, and the changes should be sent for review. If you have "local guide" status they'll be accepted near immediately (depending on your level). Sadly, the only real way to get to anywhere in Google is by coughing up for Google One and using support advisors there, but cross department communication is terrible, so I wouldn't expect much from them. Ed  talk!  23:23, 18 September 2020 (UTC)
 * If this is a security problem, they *are* very responsive to those, and they pay bounties for significant reports. See here. 2602:24A:DE47:BB20:50DE:F402:42A6:A17D (talk) 09:19, 19 September 2020 (UTC)

In Google Maps, it is generally regarded that users will use the "send feedback" button from the menu, or from the right-click menu on the map, or from "suggest an edit" button on a place or business Wubbalubbadubdub42 (talk) 00:17, 26 September 2020 (UTC)