Plugging a Self Powered USB Hub into a Reg. USB Hub?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a power supply. I
recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port hubs because
I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.

My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered hub into
the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny upstream cord
(~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back of my xp
computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by the Belkin,
the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If this is not
a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord which I can use
to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will allow the
tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these tiny self
powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the more
expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?

Thanks for any help offered

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Some USB devices required more amps to run than is available
when non-powered hubs are daisy-chained. But the USB is
capable of having a theoretical 127 devices .

If you only have 2 USB ports in the rear, very likely you
only have USB 1.1 and not USB 2.0. Your best option would
be to buy a USB 2.0 PCI card and install it in your
computer, often these will allow you to also install a front
panel port array. (You can get combo cards with USB 2.0 and
Firewire)

Some things require a higher power (a scanner perhaps) or a
direct connection ( a printer perhaps) but some things will
work well daisy-chained (keyboards and mice).

Check out www.usb.org


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


"Bosk" <bosk10@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:4bdc816b.0502180944.394b449c@posting.google.com...
|I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a
power supply. I
| recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port
hubs because
| I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.
|
| My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered
hub into
| the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny
upstream cord
| (~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back
of my xp
| computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by
the Belkin,
| the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If
this is not
| a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord
which I can use
| to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will
allow the
| tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these
tiny self
| powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the
more
| expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?
|
| Thanks for any help offered

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Bosk wrote:

> I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a power supply. I
> recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port hubs because
> I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.
>
> My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered hub into
> the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny upstream cord
> (~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back of my xp
> computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by the Belkin,
> the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If this is not
> a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord which I can use
> to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will allow the
> tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these tiny self
> powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the more
> expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?
>
> Thanks for any help offered

Shouldn't be a problem chaining hubs unless the TOTAL length of cables
from you computer through the hubs to one of your USB devices starts
getting up into the four meter / 13 ft range. Chaining hubs is part of
the USB concept.

A powered hub releaves the computer from supplying the electricity that
powers USB devices like wired keyboards, wired mice, wireless
mouse/keyboard receivers, memory card readers and many game controlers.
Things like scanners, printers and force feedback game controlers often
have their own independent power converters.

Many USB hubs use standard A to B connectors to link them to the
computer. Longer versions of these cables are typicaly available at
computer dealers and chain office supply stores.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

Yes, you can do this. Self-powered hubs simply draw power from their own AC
adapter rather than from the PC's bus. Setting up your hubs in this fashion
would, in essence, provide you two powered hubs, as the smaller hub would
also draw power from the AC outlet.

Adding too many additional non-powered hubs, however, could over-task your
powered hub, though, as every device connected in the chain will draw power
from the single AC adapter.

"Bosk" <bosk10@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:4bdc816b.0502180944.394b449c@posting.google.com...
>I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a power supply. I
> recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port hubs because
> I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.
>
> My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered hub into
> the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny upstream cord
> (~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back of my xp
> computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by the Belkin,
> the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If this is not
> a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord which I can use
> to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will allow the
> tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these tiny self
> powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the more
> expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?
>
> Thanks for any help offered

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I've never had any problems running a self-powered 4-port hub off the back
of my pc and then plugging in a 2nd hub to the first. I have LOTS of USB
devices and have never had any problems in any combination when using
self-powered hubs (do not buy non-powered), e.g. separately connected to pc
or daisy chained.

In your case, I'd suggest just get a USB extension cable to extend the new
hubs physical location. Plug the extension into where the scanner is now and
plug the scanner into one of the hubs. Don't think Windows will even ask for
the Windows cd (can't remember for sure). Apparently the "specs" suggest
maximum cable length of < 20' but my Creative webcam (which only gets power
of USB) continues to work fine with two 10' and a 6' extension included on
it's 8' cable (30+ feet!).

One last note : I've seen so called "self-powered" hubs that although
technically self-powered only are able to provide 500Ma. total rather than
500Ma. to every connection at same time. Hence when you start plugging in
power hungry devices (ie. Logitech Rumblepad wants 500Ma, so does Creative
Webcam) some don't/can't function properly. Be cautious as it can be hard to
tell from the outside of the box.

"Bosk" <bosk10@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:4bdc816b.0502180944.394b449c@posting.google.com...
>I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a power supply. I
> recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port hubs because
> I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.
>
> My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered hub into
> the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny upstream cord
> (~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back of my xp
> computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by the Belkin,
> the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If this is not
> a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord which I can use
> to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will allow the
> tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these tiny self
> powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the more
> expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?
>
> Thanks for any help offered

 

[bar]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

The simple answer is go ahead.

XP can identify up to 127 [it may now be 255] devices 'daisey chained' on a
USB port. You just have to get enough power to each item.



"pjp" wrote:

> I've never had any problems running a self-powered 4-port hub off the back
> of my pc and then plugging in a 2nd hub to the first. I have LOTS of USB
> devices and have never had any problems in any combination when using
> self-powered hubs (do not buy non-powered), e.g. separately connected to pc
> or daisy chained.
>
> In your case, I'd suggest just get a USB extension cable to extend the new
> hubs physical location. Plug the extension into where the scanner is now and
> plug the scanner into one of the hubs. Don't think Windows will even ask for
> the Windows cd (can't remember for sure). Apparently the "specs" suggest
> maximum cable length of < 20' but my Creative webcam (which only gets power
> of USB) continues to work fine with two 10' and a 6' extension included on
> it's 8' cable (30+ feet!).
>
> One last note : I've seen so called "self-powered" hubs that although
> technically self-powered only are able to provide 500Ma. total rather than
> 500Ma. to every connection at same time. Hence when you start plugging in
> power hungry devices (ie. Logitech Rumblepad wants 500Ma, so does Creative
> Webcam) some don't/can't function properly. Be cautious as it can be hard to
> tell from the outside of the box.
>
> "Bosk" <bosk10@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:4bdc816b.0502180944.394b449c@posting.google.com...
> >I have a larger Belkin 4 port 2.0 USB hub which uses a power supply. I
> > recently bought one of those tiny self powered USB 4 port hubs because
> > I need to add on more ports in addition to the Belkin.
> >
> > My questions are: is it safe to plug the tiny self powered hub into
> > the larger Belkin? The tiny hub has an equally tiny upstream cord
> > (~2"), not long enough to connect it directly to the back of my xp
> > computer (which has 2 usb ports, one of which is used by the Belkin,
> > the other by a scanner) without having it dangle down. If this is not
> > a safe setup, then is there some longer connector cord which I can use
> > to patch the tiny usb hub to the back of my pc which will allow the
> > tiny hub to actually sit on the desk? Finally, are these tiny self
> > powered usb hubs reliable, or should I have gone for the more
> > expensive, standard Belkin, like the one I already have?
> >
> > Thanks for any help offered
>
>
>