Setup of 13 port 2.0 USB self powered hub.

[CdLSRN]

Dell sent my XPS 420 MACHINE WITH 6 USB 1 ports!! and 2 USB 2 ports. So I
installed a PCI express card in the pci express slot with 2 USB 2 ports and
2 firewire 800 ports. Then I purchased a very nice compact 13 port USB self
powered HUB. This is how I set it up.: I had no guidance so I would like to
know if I did it right. I plugged the APS backup battery, USB into one of
the original USB 2 ports that came with the new computer. I plugged the
Monitor into one of the USB ports on my new PCI CARD and I plugged the 13
port hub into the other USB2 slot on my pci card.

I then plugged my printer into the self powered hub and the Scanner into one
of the ports. I put the electric plug for the hub into a smaller APC surge
protector with my Windows 98se Dell desktop which is still connected on the
other side of the desk. I am running Vista Ultimate on the new machine. I
plugged that surge protector into the APC battery backup . The battery
backup, I plugged into the wall. The Vista Machine is plugged into a smaller
APC Surge Protector which is plugged into the battery backup. Does this
sound right so far?
The Vista Ultimate Dell xps 420 has 2 hard drives a 750gb with C: drive and
original backup. and a 1 TB hard that I installed and is partitioned for
Videos, Pictures, music, etc. I also put a Seagate internal 1TB hard drive
into a eSATA/usb/or firewire case as an external backup. There was no
software with that so I still have to learn how to do that. But at last most
of the system is set up. (the case for the external hd has a fan and runs
quietly. I anchored the hub to my desk and wrapped and labeled the wires
with Velcro strips. I have no one advising me at this point, so could
someone tell me please, do I have this set up correctly? Thank you in
advance. Ginny

 

[Phillips]

USB 2.0 is faster (480 MB specs) and should be reserved for USB2.0 devices
(some flash memory, webcams, gaming hardware etc that are labeled USB2.0)
but you can also use it for USB 1.0 devices.

Anyway, you look to have too many USB ports (13 on external Hub and 2 on PCI
Card) for a few devices.
Since you mention 1 printer, 1 scanner, and (if I get it right) UPS USB link
for software control, plus, probably, mouse, keyboard, webcam, that would be
6 - and you have 6 ports already on your PC.

Monitor in USB? - should be in DVI or HDMI output on your graphics card -
unless the monitor has a USB hub itself. Use one of the PC's USB2.0 hubs
the monitor USB hub if you use it frequently w/ more devices plugged in. You
do not need to keep rarely used devices plugged in all the time. APS backup
USB link can go in USB1.

If you use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) - at the wall power outlet,
obviously - you do not need any other surge protection; make sure most
expensive equipment and the one you do not want to lose data from is plugged
in the battery outlets. Check APC Calculator for power needs:
http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm

To sum up, if you do not use more than 6 USB devices simultaneously, get rid
of the 13 Hub and PCI card. Use the PCI card only if you need the USB 2.0
ports. See if and how many USB ports your PC monitor has (they should be
self-powered) and use those if needed instead of other hubs - less cable
clutter etc.

Michael

 

[CdLSRN]

Thank you Michael, I am going to plug a Fax into a USB 2. I do not want to
plug USB 2 devices into USB 1.1 ports. Even Dell told me that the 1.1 ports
are so your old devices don't become obsolete because they put all USB 2
ports in. I told him that was BS. They were just saving money using up all
their old stock of 1.1 ports. USB 3 will be coming out and will be faster
than firewire. I am getting a new USB 2 copy/scan/Print. So most of my
devices will be USB 2. The monitor does have a USB plug and the setup
instructions call for it to be installed. Plus, I plug in various other
portable products such as loading pictures onto keychains , flash drives,
webcam and picture frames with slide shows. I am using 4 of the hubs ports
now, 2 of my new card, and 1 that originally came with machine. I will also
be setting up my dedicated picture printer which is USB 2. When I have all
USB 2 devices on the machine, the usb 1.1s will be useless. I put the card
in not just for the USB 2 ports but for the firewire 800 ports. the firewire
that came with the machine is 400. If the e-sata does not work well with my
external backup...My second choice would be the firewire 800. In the Monitor
there are USB 1.1 hubs, not self powered, (Dell monitor). Thank you for
responding and for the tips and link