How to connect External Hard drive to USB Hub

KayneHD

Honorable
Aug 24, 2013
2
0
10,510
I have a few external hard drives which I wish to connect to my computer however, I wish to connect it to a usb hub. Does the hub need to be powered? (from the mains)
 
Solution
Most USB hubs are usually powered by USB cable. Usb transports data + power too. Of course the USB hub has to be connected to the computer to receive power.

MC_K7

Distinguished


I was expecting the external drive had its own power supply. But you're right, if it's a 2.5" drive, some of them require 2 USB connections: 1 for data + power, and the second one is only for extra power. I don't know if the performance will drop in that case if you go through a USB hub. Especially if he connects more than one drive like he said.

KayneHD: Can you tell us exactly what type of external drives you'll be using. In your case, it might be better to get a USB hub that has its own power supply (not sure if this exists but I guess so).
 

brentchase

Reputable
Mar 10, 2014
1
0
4,510


My portable HDs DO NOT work through hubs either. or only 1-2 will work on a 4 port hub. powered or not powered. Did you ever find a solution to that? I want to stow my HDs in a safe, dry media tower in a closet, and run a usb extension cable to the storage with hub. TOO many times I have been reviewing media with clients or associates and drinks etc get placed on the imac desk. We all know better, but I dont want to risk the HDs with others carelessness. any solution?, LMK....
 

Barefoot_Jeff

Reputable
Mar 17, 2015
2
0
4,510
Use a Network hard drive - Terabytes of storage +
the Seagate Free Agent also has a USB port on the back that will work with portable USB HD if you need extra storage or You can use it as a network print server.
You can also set it up for access it over the internet.
 

Alexander_1

Reputable
Aug 29, 2015
1
0
4,510
I have went to the cheaper alternative and i bought from ebay, the price difference is more than 50%
neither the retail or ebay one seems to work, and the hubs do have their own power supply.
i also notice using bluetooth transmitters on my hub are laggy and sometimes unresponsive.
how disapointing.
 

nlordberg

Commendable
Oct 18, 2016
1
0
1,510


Unless it's got an AC power input, either way you're not gonna need that.

I'd actually like to know if an external USB drive plugged in a USB hub would perform same as plugging it directly to a laptop input?