USB HUB problem

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I recently bought a hub from IBC Computers. I guess the brand is Powerdata,
or something like that. Anyways, the hub is USB 2.0 and backwards compatible
(or so the back oof the box says), but when I plug it all in and everything,
and plug my printer into it, it wont print. But if i plug the printer
directly to the computer, it prints beautifully. That tells me that the
problem lies in the hub. all the green LED's are on in the hub, so there's
power to each port. The thing is, my computer isnt exactly brand new (maybe 4
years now). It has a USB 1.1 port in it. So when I plug anything into the USB
Hub, a bubble comes up on my screen (like the Add New Hardware one) and it
says "This device could be faster" and it goes on about installing a USB 2.0
drive. Well, if this Hub is backwards compatible, how come it's not working
on my computer? I didnt get a CD with it either so.... What do I do?
 
thunderstruck_302 said:
I recently bought a hub from IBC Computers. I guess the brand is Powerdata,
or something like that. Anyways, the hub is USB 2.0 and backwards compatible
(or so the back oof the box says), but when I plug it all in and everything,
and plug my printer into it, it wont print. But if i plug the printer
directly to the computer, it prints beautifully. That tells me that the
problem lies in the hub. all the green LED's are on in the hub, so there's
power to each port. The thing is, my computer isnt exactly brand new (maybe 4
years now). It has a USB 1.1 port in it. So when I plug anything into the USB
Hub, a bubble comes up on my screen (like the Add New Hardware one) and it
says "This device could be faster" and it goes on about installing a USB 2.0
drive. Well, if this Hub is backwards compatible, how come it's not working
on my computer? I didnt get a CD with it either so.... What do I do?
Click to expand...
Does the hub have its own power supply or is it getting its power from
the computer? How many things do you have plugged into the hub besides
the printer? Will it work if the *only* thing plugged into the hub is
the printer?
 
The power supply CAN come from the computer, but I have it plugged in (it
works either way). The only thing plugged in IS the printer. I wanted to test
one thing first so thats all that I plugged in. So, no, it won't work if the
printer is the only thing plugged into it.
 
Try plugging the printer into another one of the USB slots in the hub and
see if it works that way. Maybe it doesn't like the slot it is currently
plugged into. Also, make sure it is plugged in all the way.
 
You didn't get a driver CD with the hub? Install the specialized drivers.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
Just re-read your post. Plugging a USB 2.0 hub into a USB 1.1 port will
**not** let you attain USB 2.0 speed. It may even give you undesirable and
unpredictable results - as you are experiencing.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
Depending on what devices are used on the Hub, you have to be
careful with both Power loading and Bandwidth. You need to
check Device Manager and locate the Host Controller the hub is
served from. Click the Advanced (TAB) and check the Bandwidth
used/reserved. Some devices like Composites can and do take up
40-60% of a USB channel's bandwidth.

USB-2 PCI cards are very inexpensive. (~$15). I would just get
a PCI card and disable the on-board USB channels. Then just
cover the back plane sockets with a strip of electrical tape. (To
remind yourself they are disabled). And if the PC doesn't have a
front panel USB socket - you can get a 5.25" bracket and a cable
to connect to the PCI card's front panel header. (~$15.)
 
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