Marc Auslander wrote:
> Apparently Moto software can miraculously protect my vulnerable
> computer from over current! Wonder how they do that :-)

Motorola Phone Tools puts the phone into a lower current charge mode to
avoid tripping the over-current protection on the USB ports.

Practically speaking, most USB ports on desktops and laptops don't trip
the over current protection until around 1000 mA, but Motorola has to go
with the standard that specifies 500mA. If you've ever purchased an
external USB powered DVD drive for a laptop you'll notice that it comes
with a cable that allows it to be plugged into two USB ports at the same
time in order to provide enough current, but rarely is it necessary to
plug in both connectors.

The over-current protection on USB ports is an auto-reset breaker. It's
not like the picofuses which are on the PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports
(which were a UL/CSA requirement). So tripping the breaker isn't going
to damage your computer.