USB Woes (Non working USB Hub and interference)

[mattyk69]

Hi gang,

First of all this may be hard to explain so please bare with me, I recently bought a new computer and the specs are as follows:

i5 6500
Sapphire 380 4GB
Gigabyte H110M S2H
8GB DDR4
1920x1080 TV as monitor


I use my computer for gaming and it is connected to my TV via HDMI and I sit roughly 3.5m away. I have connected at most at any one time a usb mouse, usb keyboard, usb headset and a usb receiver for my 360 controller. I have 3 of the 4 connected via 5m extension cables so they can reach me but whenever I have all devices connected and sometimes only 3 devices the audio out of the TV comes out distorted and crackling(?). I have tried setting it up with a single 5m cable connected to a very cheap 4port USB only hub but windows gives me error code 43 and cannot recognise it, I have tested this with two different hubs but the same model and the results were the same. I can think of two ways to fix this but as a lament I don't know if they will work. I could connect the Mouse and keyboard via a ps/2 connector and hope it takes some of the stress away from the USB ports, or buy a mains powered USB hub and have that connected via a single 5m cable. I know this is a lot of information but this is a problem I have been stuck with for days, I believe the first step is figuring out the problem and then the steps to fix it. Any response is appreciated.

Matt.

 

[R_1]

for the long cable run you will need a powered USB Hub. the hub, if powered, will amplify the signal enough to overcome the resistance in the wires.
I know this will work because my setup
ps3/pc>6 foot usb cable extension>powered usb hub> keyboard-mouse-controller
6 foot is not 15 ft but it wouldn't work without the hub for me

 

[Mr5oh]

- USB Hubs should be self powered. In my expierence self powered hubs are always more reliable.

- Extension cables should be active cables. (Repeater cables). They are not expensive, and prevent problems.

I had to use repeater cables even just for simple game pads on my emulator box to get the controllers to the couch.

 

[Paperdoc]

The length of your USB cable may be an issue, although I have used a USB2 cable that long without problems.

The real root of your problem is power. Any standard USB2 port can supply 5 VDC power to connected devices up to 0.5 amps IN TOTAL for everything on that one port. When you use an unpowered USB2 hub, ALL the devices you plug into that hub have to share that limit of max. 0.5 amps. However, if you use a mains-powered hub, that hub's power unit should supply the full 0.5 amps to EACH of its ports, and does not rely on power from the computer's host port. Then all those devices can get the full power they need. I've been using a powered 7-port USB2 hub for years with no problems.

A mains-powered hub does NOT include an amplifier for the data signals. It only provides the full power for each port separately. For long USB cable runs you may need an active repeater cable that DOES include amplifiers for data signals in both directions. Such a device uses some of the power available from the host USB2 port to do its job.

 

[mattyk69]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links here, just in case I'll edit them. So would this setup be better? If so how much so? PC > 5m Repeater Cable > USB Hub (Mains Powered) > Keyboard/Mouse/Headset/Wireless receiver

The USB hub will probably be connected to my mains by a extensions cable also and the two I have been looking at are these:

http:/ /www. ebay .co .uk /itm/4-Port-USB-3-0-Hub-5Gbps-High-Super-Speed-Adapter-Cable-Switch-For-Mac-Laptop-PC-/351534420966?hash=item51d91593e6:g:X2gAAOSwAYtWQ4c8

http:// www. ebay .co .uk/itm/5M-Meter-USB-2-0-Male-to-Female-Extension-Repeater-Booster-Cable-GL850-Chip-A128-/121107169438?hash=item1c328cc09e:g:wyQAAOxynapRiV6f


Will this also get rid of the audio interference? Does anybody have any ideas why this was?

 

[R_1]

the hub linked to (links are fine no link-fu needed) a powered one but you will have to provide a power cable for it is doesn't come with one. FYI
the cable extender should be fine.

 

[Paperdoc]

This powered hub DOES include a power adapter for UK systems:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-External-USB-3-0-Hub-4-Port-Charger-AC-Power-Adapter-Hi-Speed-PC-Laptop-UK-/151974368009?hash=item236260d309:g:9BkAAOSw--1WtKMh

Here's a repeater cable for USB3, (I had difficulty reaching the one you linked - maybe my goof!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-USB-3-0-SuperSpeed-A-Male-to-Female-Active-Repeater-Extension-Cable-006105-/200824887077?hash=item2ec2189725:g:1KgAAOSw-W5Uu7vt

NOTE that both of these devices are for USB3. If your computer's port is USB2, OR if all your devices on the end are USB2, you can get similar USB2 cable and hub devices cheaper.