USB 2.0 4-port hub question

[x56h34]

I recently bought an Inland USB 2.0 4 port hub for my Dell laptop, and since I've never used a usb hub before I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on a few questions.

This hub is bus-powered, however there is a possibility of connecting an optional 5V power supply to feed it extra power. Should I look for a power supply in order to give this hub some extra juice, or is it really not that big of a deal to use it in bus-powered mode? Would a standard universal power supply, set to 5V with the right connector work in this case? Thanks.

[whabang]

Laptops often don't have enough juice in their USB-ports to power a lot of USB-devices, so it would be a good idea to use a separate power supply for the hub, or you might run into stability issues. There might also be problems with USB-powered devices when not having extra power for the hub.

As for which power supply to use for it, that depends on the model and make of the hub.

[Brian]

If you're going to use a mouse, keyboard or memstick with it or simular low powerconsuming hardware there's no problem in using a selfpowered hubs... just don't expect to be able to run a set or 4 external harddrives on it or something.

Not trying to hijack the thread but in a related question, does the USB hub requier special software/drivers to run? Why I ask is cause I have a Spider2 on the incoming and have 6 USB ports in my tower and I was thinking of linking the ports on the tower with the internal connector of the spider through a 7 port USB hub (not selfpowered). Anything I sould be aware of or is it just connect and I'll be flying? Also Spider2 is claimed to be running highspeed USB2 but will it realy come close to the top speed of 60MB/s?

[x56h34]

I have 3 USB devices which will be used.
A USB Mouse, an external hard drive (powered through an external power supply of its own), and a digital camera (powered by its internal 2AAA batteries).

The laptop has 2 USB ports. I guess I should plug the mouse into one laptop USB port directly, and the digital camera and hard drive into the USB hub, as the mouse needs power from the bus and the other two have their own external power sources. Would this be correct/smart way to do it until I find a suitable psu for the hub?

[Brian]

I'd use the mouse and the HD with it's own powersupply of the hub and the camera in the other port on your computer since I'm not sure how the camera works when it's connected with the computer... it mig very well be drawing power fron the USB to save your batteries.

[x56h34]

The camera uses its own batteries for sure, as many times it shut down on me while connected to a usb port, due to low battery power (the LCD screen on the camera displays a "low battery" message as well).

[Brian]

Ok.. then use the hd and cam on the hub.

[x56h34]

Thanks. Much appreciated! :-)

I'll still look for a suitable psu, but for now I'll have to use it as-is.