USB hubs

[Roland Schweiger]

Into the blue without knowing make, model etc.
I suppose the HUB is PASSIVE e.g. it has no power supply.

USB hard disks in most cases require all the power there is available
in an usb port (usually 500 mA at 5v)
and therefore usb HDDs usually cannot be connected to passive hubs.

greetings and merry xmas to all

Roland Schweiger

 

[Char Jackson]

One thing to watch out for with hubs is that the outlet sockets aren't
too close together: I don't know what the spec. says about the matter,
but some devices - memory sticks, MP3 players - can, if chunky, stop
other devices (certainly others of the same body shape) being plugged in
next to them. (My poundshop ones are flying saucer shaped, with the
ports round the edge at right angles to each other, so not a problem.)

I keep a couple of 12" USB extension cables around, just to deal with
that scenario.