USB cables

Have had to buy new laptop, HP Envy, it is windows 11, old laptop was windows 7. My problem is the usb cables which i use to charge my phone and other devices i have do not fit into the ports on the new laptop, shop told me to buy new devices, but cannot afford to replace them. Someone told me i could buy some sort of adapter which would solve the problem. but i don't know which is the best to buy, have looked on Amazon but not sure which one there are so many. Any help please.

oldone said:

Have had to buy new laptop, HP Envy, it is windows 11, old laptop was windows 7. My problem is the usb cables which i use to charge my phone and other devices i have do not fit into the ports on the new laptop, shop told me to buy new devices, but cannot afford to replace them. Someone told me i could buy some sort of adapter which would solve the problem. but i don't know which is the best to buy, have looked on Amazon but not sure which one there are so many. Any help please.

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There are USB adapters from anything to just about everything but have to know what connectors are where. Windows version doesn't matter.
Which connector on your phone ? Usual are USB micro, mini and USB-c.
Power adapters are usually USB-A on adapter side.
Laptop may have any type of connector but usually only one can be used for charging. Can you at least write exact laptop model ?

Thankyou for reply, The laptop is HP envy model number cw0500na

oldone said:

Thankyou for reply, The laptop is HP envy model number cw0500na

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According to
It uses 90W power adapter with USB-C connector.
What is your power adapter ? If it is USB-A (most likely) than you need a cable like this

oldone said:

Thankyou for reply, The laptop is HP envy model number cw0500na

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The link posted by CountMike has pictures of the various types of connectors. Just compare the connectors to each of your devices.

Sir_George said:

The link posted by CountMike has pictures of the various types of connectors. Just compare the connectors to each of your devices.

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No it's a particular type and model, the rest are adds for similar and not so similar cables.

Try Cable To Go for both cables and adapters. Your One-Stop-Shop for Cables, Adapters, & More | C2G

I had the same issue with cellphones, latest [last few years] use USB-C ports and I got extra USB-A to USB-C cables.

A chart:

That particular laptop model has 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB-A ports...I think we need to take a step back and look at what does not fit where. Based on this laptop model everything should work fine with the old cables.

SlicEnDicE said:

That particular laptop model has 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB-A ports...I think we need to take a step back and look at what does not fit where. Based on this laptop model everything should work fine with the old cables.

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Agreed. I see the issue as the cellphone port, probably is a mini-A or mini-B or micro-A or micro-B. My wife had an older cellphone, more like a SmartPhone while I had a FlipPhone, she got a newer model which used the newer USB-C cable. Then I got a SmartPhone with also uses the USB-C. Of course we had to change the cables for the power adapter for the cars, too.

I saw an ad the other day showing SmartPhones coming with the cable but not the power adapter, also got a new electric shaver last week without the power unit, uses same as the phones.

Seems odd that OP wants to charge his phone from the laptop! I know modern laptops can charge phones even when the laptop is not charging.

CountMike said:

No it's a particular type and model, the rest are adds for similar and not so similar cables.

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Thanks, I hadn't noticed that detail...Note to self; don't post until you have had at least 1 cup of coffee.

Sir_George said:

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that detail...Note to self; don't post until you have had at least 1 cup of coffee.

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Make that two!

kelper said:

Make that two!

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At least 3 which I'm on now.

oldone said:

Thankyou for reply, The laptop is HP envy model number cw0500na

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I don't understand. The specs for that laptop show it as having 3 USB Type A ports. (Plus two Type C Thunderbolt ports.) Type A is common for older USB peripherals. The plugs will fit, even if there are electronic compatibility problems.

Specs show a power adapter using USB-C. That laptop is probably second hand as laptops normally come with a power adapter/charger.

USB Type A plugs can be used in either USB 2 ports [have black centers] or USB 3 ports [have blue centers] just not at the same speeds of data transfer. I have seen newer Notebooks are appearing with black ports which support both 2 and 3, my latest from a month ago does. And they seem to be the change on those with USB C ports. The ports that support USB 3 usually have the trident-type logo with SS added to it.

CountMike said:

Specs show a power adapter using USB-C. That laptop is probably second hand as laptops normally come with a power adapter/charger.

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What I've been seeing is those are actually newer, can use either type.

Talking about the power adapter, I saw an advertisement where a new SmartPhone included a cable but not the power cube, got a new electric shaver week ago that included the cable but I had to furnish the power cube for 5V and 1A but it was cheaper than the original price of the one I dropped and broke by almost half and lighter since the charge mechanism was not in the shaver.

According to the specs the Laptop has 2 x USB-C Sleep and charge, and 3 x USB-A sleep & charge, so an existing cable would work.

But not the proprietary fast charge standards of a particular Phone brand.

No specs as to currents, but the USB-C probably has more charging current available.

I stand corrected...

The laptop has 3 USB-A ports (I missed one) The one I missed has sleep and charge functionality...the other 2 are normal USB ports.

After reading all of this thread I see no reason why the old USB cables don't work. I also don't see why they want to use their laptop as a charger. I had to replace the USB power adapter for my desktop lamp and I got a three pack from Amazon for less than $10.00. https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Char...rp_0_1_ec_nped_ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_bia_item_i&th=1