Question about USb hub

[Craig]

I have a Dell desktop computer with USB 2.0. I have been using Canon
i9900 ink jet printer which requires a USB connection (no parallel
connection).
I did not have any problem in the past with printing pictures using the
inkjet printer. A few days ago, I purchased a 4-port USB 2.0 (Ultra brand
from RadioShack) with power connection. I tested and confirmed that the
Ultra 4-port hub was indeed USB 2.0 compliant. Today, I connected the USB
cable to an Ultra port from the i9900 printer. The printer prints text file
without any problem but only printed about a half an inch of the top part of
image while printing images. I tested repeatedly and re-booting the
computer. Sometime, I uninstalled re-installed the i9900 printer driver. I
got the same problem. Eventually, I connected the USB cable to the front
USB port of the tower. Voila! Everything returned to the normal. No
problem with printing pictures. I am wondering whether USB cable for
printers should be connected directly to the port of CPU but not to USB
hub. I am wondering why. I was a bit surprised to see the limited
application of USB hub. Craig

 

[GHalleck]

I have a Dell desktop computer with USB 2.0. I have been using Canon
i9900 ink jet printer which requires a USB connection (no parallel
connection).
I did not have any problem in the past with printing pictures using the
inkjet printer. A few days ago, I purchased a 4-port USB 2.0 (Ultra brand
from RadioShack) with power connection. I tested and confirmed that the
Ultra 4-port hub was indeed USB 2.0 compliant. Today, I connected the USB
cable to an Ultra port from the i9900 printer. The printer prints text file
without any problem but only printed about a half an inch of the top part of
image while printing images. I tested repeatedly and re-booting the
computer. Sometime, I uninstalled re-installed the i9900 printer driver. I
got the same problem. Eventually, I connected the USB cable to the front
USB port of the tower. Voila! Everything returned to the normal. No
problem with printing pictures. I am wondering whether USB cable for
printers should be connected directly to the port of CPU but not to USB
hub. I am wondering why. I was a bit surprised to see the limited
application of USB hub. Craig

Was there anything else connected on the USB hub whilst the
print test was being done? The hub will defer to the least
capable device that is attached to it.

 

[Robert Moir]

I have a Dell desktop computer with USB 2.0. I have been using
Canon i9900 ink jet printer which requires a USB connection (no
parallel connection).
[snip]

I am wondering why. I was a bit surprised to see the
limited application of USB hub. Craig

Was the hub powered (e.g. plugged into the mains as well as the computer?)
this makes a big difference. If it was then...

Generally speaking, there are two types of hardware that really do require a
direct connection to the computer. Specialised hardware doing a specialised
job, and complete and utter junk that really should be thrown away in favour
of something decent. Of course, it could be that the hub itself falls into
this latter category!

 

[Craig]

Was the hub powered (e.g. plugged into the mains as well as the computer?)

Yes, it was connected to the main power outlet and also to the computer.
The hub has 4 ports; 2 ports were unused. One port was connected to a HP
scanner (not being used) .
The only port used was for the printer. The hub works well for other
purpose: transferring files between flashdrive, card reader, and others.

I have a Dell desktop computer with USB 2.0. I have been using
Canon i9900 ink jet printer which requires a USB connection (no
parallel connection).
[snip]

I am wondering why. I was a bit surprised to see the
limited application of USB hub. Craig

Was the hub powered (e.g. plugged into the mains as well as the computer?)
this makes a big difference. If it was then...

Generally speaking, there are two types of hardware that really do require
a direct connection to the computer. Specialised hardware doing a
specialised job, and complete and utter junk that really should be thrown
away in favour of something decent. Of course, it could be that the hub
itself falls into this latter category!