using a 4 port USB hub extention

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Hi Everyone

Following some discussion a few weeks ago, I bought one of these from a local shop.  it didn't work and I returned it.  Then I bought one on Amazon.  It worked well for 3 days and then stopped working - nothing plugged into it was recognised by the B2.  I got a replacement which after 5 days, seemed to cause my external cd drive to malfunction!  When I plugged this directly into the B2, it worked fine again and continues to do so.  Yesterday, I had another look on Amazon and there isn't much choice in USB2 hubs.  So I have some questions, if anyone can help.

1.  Must it be a USB2 model?

2.  Is it better that it has its own power source, or better powered from the B2?

3.  Can anyone recommend a particular model that works well for you?

Thanks very much

Rita 

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Did anyone have any ideas on my questions?

Thanks

Rita 

[eric houston]

I have been successfully using a Belkin F4U040 4-way, powered usb hub that I bought from Argos for about £14.00 a few months ago. Sadly, I can't tell if it is usb2 or usb3, but it  works well. Hope this helps, regards

Eric

[PMB]

Hi Eric and Rita,

As a general rule the plastic insert in a USB connector is colour coded white for USB 2.0 (and earlier) and blue for USB 3.0.

The hub I use is USB 2.0, I haven't tried a USB 3.0 one yet.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Thanks Eric. That's really helpful

Rita 

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Thanks Paul   I didn't know that.

Rita 

[Tony Johnston]

I'm using an Anker ultra slim 4 port unpowered usb3 hub. Its been connected for 2 years with no problems. I use my LG external hard drive with it which has two connections - power and data with no problems.

[Tony Johnston]

Should check what I write. Meant my LG external CD player.

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Thanks Tony.  I've made a note and if I need another one, I'll give this a try.

Rita 

[rita....@btopenworld.com]

Hi Eric.  I ordered the Belkin (from Amazon - Argos was out of stock).  It came yesterday and is working fine so far.

Thanks

Rita 

[Martin Eastburn]

I would say that the hub should be self powered.  It should be a USB2 grade.  I don't know if the OS inside the B2 can handle hubs.  I put powered ones on my tower and laptops.  Then the external connections are powered externally not draining the USB2 in the B2.  But the question still holds can the OS in the B2 handle a cascaded Hub.  It appears that a hub is built in the hardware having two on the back.

Martin Eastburn

[Tony Johnston]

As I've said earlier I've been running an unpowered Anker USB3 hub on my B2 for two years. I use it for my WD gard drive (mains powered) and an LG external CD player which draws power via the hub and data transfer via two separate cables.