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    Running a USB hard drive through a hub

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bakery2k, Aug 31, 2009.

  1. bakery2k

    bakery2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone else have any problems running a USB hard drive (especially one which also gets its power via USB) through an external hub?

    I'm currently using such a drive but have to plug it directly into my laptop - using it through my USB hub causes the drive to become disconnected for a short while on bringing the laptop out of sleep or hibernate.

    Is this a common issue with this configuration, or is my particular USB hub likely to be at fault? Is replacing the hub is likely to fix the problem?
     
    bakery2k, Aug 31, 2009
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  2. Ole man

    Ole man Notebook Evangelist

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    I haven't had success connecting my USB drive to my powered D-Link 4 port, but I just plug it into my computer directly.
     
    Ole man, Aug 31, 2009
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  3. BamAlmighty

    BamAlmighty Notebook Consultant

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    you're running the hub off of a single usb port, it isn't meant to duplicate the full power output of a single usb power. Unless the hub has separate ac power, you can't run a external HD off of a hub.
     
    BamAlmighty, Aug 31, 2009
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  4. bakery2k

    bakery2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry for not being clear: my USB hub does indeed have its own power supply.
     
    bakery2k, Aug 31, 2009
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  5. bakery2k

    bakery2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    No more comments? Does this mean that running a USB hard drive through a (powered) hub works fine for everyone else? Or does nobody use this configuration?
     
    bakery2k, Sep 1, 2009
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  6. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    It might work now and then, at least for me. So stick with direct USB port of notebooks and not over a hub.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Sep 1, 2009
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  7. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I've never had problems running a HDD over a powered USB hub but I prefer to use eSATA. My roommate has multiple external HDDs through one powered USB hub, always connected to his Dell XPS M1530.
     
    sgogeta4, Sep 1, 2009
    #7