Solved USB HDD not working with usb hub but working from laptop usb.

[binks]

Recently I've bought USB hub, one of this cheap, unbranded 4usb ones from ebay. When I'm connecting my usd disk drive to it, the drive just don't show up in my computer. It's like this hub is not providing enough power to the disk(it certainly sounds like it). So as I don't want to spend my money unnecessarily can you recommend some reliable USB hub please? It doesn't have to be usb3.0 although it would be nice and I would appreciate if you can recommend something I can buy in UK since I do live here. Also, will buying some branded hub, like this one from Amazon would deprive me from this issues?

Edit: I do have Toshiba port replicator with usb port and when I connect my disk to it there is no problem. Hard drive works as it should.

 

[Wandering one]

Pretty much any name brand is good and if you can find room for it an external powered one (wall-wart) is even better.
Art.

 

[whs]

This one does not look too bad:

Tek Republic TUH-3400 Aluminum USB 3.0 4 Port Hub with 3A Power Adapter - Newegg.com

 

[binks]

Thx for the links guys, but my intention is not to turn the topic in to place where people could post the links to the hubs that looks cool or the ones that they'll like to have but rather for people who had experience them selves with different hubs to give advice. I just don't want to throw my money away for something that won't be worth it.

 

[whs]

How about reading the reviews that come with the links. Then you have input from many different people. That's how I do it an never had a problem.

Here is an article that might be of interest.

http://www.howtogeek.com/189801/the-htg-guide-to-purchasing-the-perfect-usb-hub-for-your-needs/

 

[strollin]

The brand isn't all that important. However, you want to use a POWERED hub, passive hubs can't supply enough power for an external hdd.

 

[binks]

So all the usb hubs they selling that hasn't got power supplied to them but rather taking power of laptops usb port are not sufficient for usb drives? So in that case why there are so many powerless usb hubs on the market? What they are for?

 

[whs]

Correct, the powerless ones work well with USB flash drives and external SSDs. And sometimes 5400RPM HDDs work too.

 

[binks]

I genuinely didn't know that. Thx.
In that case link from @whs is no good as this hub does not have power supply. Am I right?

 

[binks]

What you can say about devices that are powered but not by electricity that comes from the wall socket but from usb port? Something like this.
Hub has to be powered from the wall socket or will it work with usb HDDs if it's powered like the one I mentioned?

 

[jimbo45]

The brand isn't all that important. However, you want to use a POWERED hub, passive hubs can't supply enough power for an external hdd.

Hi there

And therein Lies the rub !!! - A decent USB HDD will usually need a POWERED Hub for it to work properly -- some laptops CAN provide sufficient power on a USB port alone (sometimes they are called "Charging" ports since they will supply enough power to charge external USB devices like phones but once you start using Hubs you'll usually need to supply power - unless you are using devices like a Mouse / keyboard or a USB stick.

Any generic brand will work -- so long as it's powered. A powered hub will usually have an indicator light when the power is working.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[binks]

Question then cause I'm confused now. I already know that my laptop does not provide enough power from it's usb port that usb hub is connected to for usb HDD to work, so whenever I'll see something like "super duper extra usb hub with 40" tv and microwave - USB powered" I shouldn't be interested in that as it will take power from my laptop usb port. Right? Instead I should be looking for something with AC power?

 

[strollin]

Exactly. You want a hub with its own power supply.

 

[Tranquil Hegemo]

Since you are UK based how about something like this on Amazon? Has its own power supply, USB 3 and gets good reviews unless you are using a Mac Mini....

Amazon.co.uk: Customer Reviews: HooToo® HT-UH002 Aluminum USB 3.0 4-port Compact HUB (5V/2A Power Adapter, Better Heat Dissipation, 2.3 feet USB 3.0 Cable, Latest VIA VL812-B2 Chipset & 9081 Firmware), Backward Compatible with USB 2.0 and Supporting

 

[binks]

Thanks for the link but no thanks Don't get me wrong, it's great - has USB3.0, it's own AC, english plug - great. But it's not for me. I want to put the hub next to my keyboard and I'm looking for something with ports facing up. The great thing would be something like here but the only down side of it is placing of it's power and usb inputs. Since those are placed that way, hub would be too wide. Ideal thing would be something like this but with AC and USB inputs placed in hub's length. Something like this one. Down side of this particular one is US plug. I'll have to use converter which I hate

Any suggestions to what I'm looking for?

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

try a small 4 port Logic one -- has a nice long USB connector -- you could probably find one in my most hated store of all time "PC World" -- be careful in there though they are always trying to rip people off with "Extended Warranties" -- which often cost nearly as much as the product you want .

Another possibility is the little Trust 4 port hub -- this actually has its own power within the device - it uses the power from the computer itself - provided the laptop is connected to the mains this little hub works brilliantly for USB HDD's on it.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[binks]

...
Another possibility is the little Trust 4 port hub -- this actually has its own power within the device - it uses the power from the computer itself - provided the laptop is connected to the mains this little hub works brilliantly for USB HDD's on it.
Cheers
jimbo

Wait, cause now I'm really confused. First I was told here that I should get USB hub with it's own power supply and now you suggesting me to get one without it. If I can get one without it's own power supply, then it's just the case of luck if I'll get the one that can get enough power from my laptops usb port or not. Isn't that the case?

 

[whs]

In that case link from @whs is no good as this hub does not have power supply. Am I right?

What do you think this is ?

 

[binks]

What do you think this is ?

Sorry, didn't notice that

 

[binks]

My requirements has changed a little. Now I'm looking for 7-port usb 3.0 hub with 2 additional charging ports vertically oriented. Could you guys help me to locate one please?