Extra USB ports

[Phil]

I have two on the tower and fitted an internal USB PCI card with extra
ports. However not working too well as my scanner not always connecting and
when I want to use my USB device for uploading photos it only works half the
time. Also on the extension is my Broadband USB modem.

Could the problem be too many USB devices even though there are enough
sockets?

Or could I need a powered USB hub.

On the latter any suggestions for the right one I am in the UK.

Cheers Phil

 

[kony]

I have two on the tower and fitted an internal USB PCI card with extra
ports. However not working too well as my scanner not always connecting and
when I want to use my USB device for uploading photos it only works half the
time. Also on the extension is my Broadband USB modem.

Could the problem be too many USB devices even though there are enough
sockets?

Or could I need a powered USB hub.

On the latter any suggestions for the right one I am in the UK.

Cheers Phil

What motherboard make/model?

Two devices plugged into a "pair" of ports, should not consume more
than 500mA of power. Consult the product documentation to see if it
reports power consumption. You might also find "reported" power
consumption in the Windows' Device Manager properites for those ports,
though it may be possible that the reported current differs from
actual, but hopefully at least => actual consumption.

With that in mind, if the two devices you have connected, consume <=
500mA, there should be no benefit to a powered hub. If they use more
than 500mA combined, you might try juggling around device
port-positions.

A newer motherboard chipset driver or bios might help.

If you have the option of connecting your broadband to a PCI (or
integrated) network adapter instead of USB, that would be preferable.

 

[DaveinOlyWa]

sounds like USB 1.1

i had problems with my usb if i hooked up my mouse, printer and camera
at the same time. the camera, mouse or both would simply lock up.

but as long as i ran one or the other it was ok. but that was with usb
1.1
my new computer has pin drive, external CD, camera, printer, keyboard,
and mouse with no ill effects.

 

[Phil]

What motherboard make/model?

Two devices plugged into a "pair" of ports, should not consume more
than 500mA of power. Consult the product documentation to see if it
reports power consumption. You might also find "reported" power
consumption in the Windows' Device Manager properites for those ports,
though it may be possible that the reported current differs from
actual, but hopefully at least => actual consumption.

With that in mind, if the two devices you have connected, consume <=
500mA, there should be no benefit to a powered hub. If they use more
than 500mA combined, you might try juggling around device
port-positions.

A newer motherboard chipset driver or bios might help.

If you have the option of connecting your broadband to a PCI (or
integrated) network adapter instead of USB, that would be preferable.

Thanks for the tips. I now know for definite it is the BB modem draining the
power. I took off and put USB things on remaining sockets and all worked all
the time. Put BB modem backon and problems started again.

Phil

 

[DaveinOlyWa]

yep ... figured it was a power problem...

that is why i think that USB 2 is another wasted effort for a standard
that needs fixing... the port may be faster, but it still has no
power to speak of. of course many manufacturers realized this so that
is why most usb devices now have their own external power
supplies...

its funny because usb was intels answer to apple's firewire.

but firewire has much more power and each succeeding upgrade increases
the power.

consider the 500 mw of power in usb versas 5 watts for firewire...