Plugging all usb stuff into a hub

R

Rob001

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
85
I've done this so I can easily switch my mouse/keyboard/printer/etc between my pc and laptop (by simply plugging the hub into one or the other). However, the pc seems to be having a problem starting up when I use the hub. It turns on and sounds like it's running normally, but I get a blank black screen. As soon as I connect the mouse/keyboard directly to the pc, everythings fine.

I was just wondering if anyone could think of a way to get the hub working better, or could suggest something I could try instead of the hub. Are there any KVM switches around that might suit me? The ones i've seen either look limited or hideously expensive.
 
KVM is your best bet, but as you have already found out, good ones are expensive.

What USB hub are you using? There are some pretty bad ones out there. Also, are you powering the hub? Or is it not powered?
 
zoobaby said:
What USB hub are you using? There are some pretty bad ones out there. Also, are you powering the hub? Or is it not powered?
Click to expand...

That's pretty important, because a lot of self-powered hubs can't handle multiple devices that draw huge amounts of power (e.g., external hard drives, gaming keyboards with LEDs, LCDs, and/or macro keys).

For example, I use a Belkin 7-port USB hub (with an AC power adapter), and I normally have the keyboard, mouse, printer data cable, and a 2.5 inch external hard drive attached to it.
 
tiraides said:
That's pretty important, because a lot of self-powered hubs can't handle multiple devices that draw huge amounts of power (e.g., external hard drives, gaming keyboards with LEDs, LCDs, and/or macro keys).

For example, I use a Belkin 7-port USB hub (with an AC power adapter), and I normally have the keyboard, mouse, printer data cable, and a 2.5 inch external hard drive attached to it.
Click to expand...

what do macro keys have to do with power draw? Every keyboard I have seen with macro keys have software on the PC actually executing the macro.
 
tiraides said:
That's pretty important, because a lot of self-powered hubs can't handle multiple devices that draw huge amounts of power (e.g., external hard drives, gaming keyboards with LEDs, LCDs, and/or macro keys).

For example, I use a Belkin 7-port USB hub (with an AC power adapter), and I normally have the keyboard, mouse, printer data cable, and a 2.5 inch external hard drive attached to it.
Click to expand...

I have exactly the same hub as you from the sounds of it. And the same things connected as well!

Do you have issues booting? I dont get any problems when I boot from my laptop, but that might be because the laptop has it's own keyboard. Im just guessing though.
 
Very interesting ... it hadn’t occurred to me that all USB hubs were in fact not created equal.

I am using a Vakoss 7-port 2.0 USB hub using it’s own power.

I used to run 2 printers, PDA dock, mouse, and an external WD HD through the thing. Everything worked perfectly fine when I used the hub to access these devices from an old Vaio running 1.2 GHz Pentium III-M / 512mb RAM – downgraded at USB 1.0 standard.

Now I’ve got the hub connected to an HP slimline running at 2.3 GHz Athlon 64 X2 4400+ / 2.0 GB RAM and the computer won’t even recognize a single printer (HP 1020 Laserjet) let alone print. However, when I connect the printer directly to the computer, it works flawlessly.

For what it’s worth, I am using cheap 2.0 USB cables if that makes any difference. Does it?

Thanks for any advice.
 
Rob001 said:
I have exactly the same hub as you from the sounds of it. And the same things connected as well!

Do you have issues booting? I dont get any problems when I boot from my laptop, but that might be because the laptop has it's own keyboard. Im just guessing though.
Click to expand...

I have no issues booting with mine. (I have the older design hub as well.)

I don't know... maybe it's because I'm using a desktop PC (compared to a laptop)?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top