How to connect External Hard drive to USB Hub

[KayneHD]

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)

 

[MC_K7]

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.

 

[noidea_77]

Yes, the usb hub needs to be one with it's own power supply, if we are talking about 2,5" disks. No, if we are talking about 3,5" disks with power supply.

 

[MC_K7]

Yes, the usb hub needs to be one with it's own power supply, if we are talking about 2,5" disks. No, if we are talking about 3,5" disks with power supply.

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).

 

[jerrywarriner]

Although my external hard drive (USB 2.0) has its own power supply, to be certain that I'd have no problems it's connected to a powered USB hub.

 

[raven2099]

mine are all 2.5 laptop hdd's 2.0 and my usb hub/splitter is 2.0


doesn't work with usb split/hub

 

[brentchase]

mine are all 2.5 laptop hdd's 2.0 and my usb hub/splitter is 2.0


doesn't work with usb split/hub

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]

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.

 

[Barefoot_Jeff]

You can use a cheap computer as a network server
good power supply and four hard drives

 

[Alexander_1]

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]

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)

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?