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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Understanding Computers > Understanding Computers > USB hubs
Expert: Nathaniel Seward
Date: 8/15/2008
Subject: USB hubs
Question
Those hubs, so confusing. I am running Vista with SP1, 32 bit Home Premium. The best I can do filtering through claims and info is that unpowered (aka self powered or bus powered) hubs are useful only for low consumption devices like mice and keyboards. Most advice says to use a hub with an AC adapter for devices that drain more power, like large external hard drives. But then the caveat: if the device has its own power source (eg, its own AC adapter) doesn't that mean it does not drain excessive power from a USB port? (Which would make the hub's power source a moot issue). And this: I didn't see any mention - yet - of whether an external like an SD card reader; an inkjet printer; a scanner would be considered a large power drainer. More... I see occasional complaints that AC adapter-powered hubs can continue to push electrical power back INTO the port after the computer is shut down (doesn't sound good, yikes!!). This caused, it was reported, one big problem at the very least: the computer could not be rebooted while that USB hub was still attached. Last but not least, in the <$30 range, almost no manufacturer so much as mentions Vista in their specs, yet there are no associated drivers anyway. Aren't all USB 2.0 devices supposed to be compatible across the Windows spectrum?
Answer
If an external HDD has its own power source its only using the hub as its access point to the usb port not as the main power source. An SD card reader i cant imagine taking alot of power but a printer/scanner should have their own power sources and I dont believe would function if not plugged in to an outlet regardless of a powered hub.
I myself would not buy anything that fed power into my PC after it was off, it just doesnt sound safe. Any hub should work with Vista...think of them as an extension cord for the USB port in which they are plugged into. Finally...yes they are SUPPOSE to be compatible but that doesn't mean all usb devices are...I have had many an issue with things in the past...Probably a reason I use Linux for alot of the work I do lol.
I hope you find this a bit more helpful.
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