Problem with external drives (Page 2): This one has its own power source, I think it defective. I do not think the hub is defective. It might be but more likely you have discovered its...

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Artsmith wrote:

Mogul wrote:

Get an 8 port USB hub with a seperate power source (110VAC, not USB). Now get four adapters with one female USB inline socket to split twin male USB plugs. OK, now you have a 4 port hub with plenty of power!

This one has its own power source, I think it defective.

I do not think the hub is defective. It might be but more likely you have discovered its limitations. If the hub was playing up you would get a lot more hardware related problems and device not recognised warnings.

Some hubs with external power can only draw power from this and not via the USB interface. But there are some (higher end ones) that will work without being plugged into an external power source as well and can draw power from both external and the USB interface.

You can test the power source if you have a device that charges via USB such as a mobile phone, Ipod or similar. Do not plug the hub into the laptop but test to see if the phone charges via the hubs own power source alone.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=Artsmith I am running a MacBook Pro laptop ... (show quote)

I agree. Hubs are many times USB port-powered and can't handle powering two hard drives through them plus their own circuitry. That's not to say that the USB buss of a computer can't handle two or more hard drives into two or more USB ports. There are hubs that have an external power supply to plug in the wall. They CAN handle two drives easily.

Irontruck Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I recently bought an iomega prestige portable HD, I found out that the drive has to be plugged directly into a computers USB port in order for the drive to get sufficient power to operate.The instructions state not to use a keyboard or a hub as they might not provide enough power to operate. This is the first portable HD that I have had that did not have its own power supply. You might try going to the manufacturers website for more info on your drive.

Artsmith Loc: Grayson, Georgia

Just got back from Best Buy, picked up a new Powered 4 port usb
device. and it is running my 2 external drives plus my printer.
So problem solved. Thanks to all for feedback.

the defective one was labeled "Gear Head" self powered 120VAC and of course made in China.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Artsmith wrote:

Just got back from Best Buy, picked up a new Powered 4 port usb
device. and it is running my 2 external drives plus my printer.
So problem solved. Thanks to all for feedback.

the defective one was labeled "Gear Head" self powered 120VAC and of course made in China.

Great! Where was the new one made? What brand?

Artsmith Loc: Grayson, Georgia

Belkin USB 2.0 made in china

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

For Hard Drives, only one per computer USB port and that is iffy if you also have other items plugged into that same port.
For hard drives it is better to use a USB hub that has AC power to supply power and let the USB port only provide communication.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Artsmith wrote:

Just got back from Best Buy, picked up a new Powered 4 port usb
device. and it is running my 2 external drives plus my printer.
So problem solved. Thanks to all for feedback.

the defective one was labeled "Gear Head" self powered 120VAC and of course made in China.

Glad you got it sorted. More items than you think will be made in China and they work well. Then you sometimes get items stating "made in" somewhere else but contain a lot of components from all over the world. We really do not know what we are getting.

A company I sometimes work for distribute parts worldwide to trade only customers and some of them ask for them to be branded made in their own country. Of course they are not but it looks good if they say they are.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mafadecay wrote:

Glad you got it sorted. More items than you think will be made in China and they work well.

it's not just where a product is made. It's the whole manufacturing chain that leads up to the final product. Apple makes just about everything in China (I think), and their products are top notch (technical term).