USB Port Expansion Issues

I've got an SZ-340 that I use at home with an external keyboard/mouse & monitor as I would a desktop PC. I don't have the Sony docking station & am relying on USB port extension to get my needed number of USB ports.

I've got my keyboard/mouse on one USB port, and the USB expander that's built into my Dell monitor connected to the other SZ USB port. That's where I have problems.

Into the Dell expansion port I have pluged in an inkjet printer, laser printer/fax, & use another of the USB ports to periodically plug in an iPod, USB flash drive, or external hard drive for system backup.

It seems that I can never have more than one device within the expansion devices turned on (or plugged in) or thinks go bonkers. For example, if I have my inkjet printer turned on (not even printing) & I plug in a USB flash drive, that flash drive is recongnized, then unrecognized, then recognized again -- and this keeps happening rendering the drive inoperable. If I shut off the printer & then plug in the flash drive, it works just fine.

Is this a specific problem with my SZ, or my Dell USB expansion, or USB in general?

Thanks,

--Alan

 

I don´t have a Sony vaio SZ, but it seems that you need an USB hub with an external power supply, like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-HUB-4-PORT-...1QQihZ020QQcategoryZ31495QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Presumably the power supplied by only one usb port is not enough for all the devices you are trying to connect, so you need additional power.

 

I'm afraid that's not it...the hub built into the Dell monitor does also supply power in addition to "splitting" the USB signal. I know this for sure since I can charge my iPod through the USB hub even when the computer is turned off.

 

I think charging a little iPod is quite different to running powers for

• Inkjet Printer
• Laser/Fax Printer
• Keyboard/Mouse
• External Harddrive
• iPod

Sounds like a lot to me...

 

The USB ports definetly power keyboards, mice, memory sticks, iPods, etc. To the best of my knowledge, they don't power plug-in (AC power) printers, external disc drives, & so on -- they only supply the serial digital communications. In fact, USB couldn't possible power a full size external hard disc -- they consume quite a bit of power.

--Alan

 

I've experienced this problem before, My crappy USB hub (with external power supply) will work when I plug in one USB peripheral at a time. So I threw it away and get the new one (more expensive) and the problem is solved.

Currently, I use Apacer USB Hub PH150 and it working fine.

 

Also wanna say, precisely why I suspect power issue cause why do you think external USB hubs have extra power inlet from the mains?

 

The hub built into my Dell monitor is also powered. I'm going to borrow a separate hub & try it out....will let ya know what I learn....Alan