USB Overload

fudgester SG

I have two USB ports on my laptop. After connecting a 4-port USB hub, I currently have one mouse, one 2.5" external hard disk, one printer, one webcam, and one laptop cooling pad plugged in.

My 4-port USB hub itself is powered with a power adaptor. Without it, my external hard disk can't be read.

Although I haven't received any error messages or anything, I'm concerned that I may be overloading my USB ports. The last thing I want is to have it overload and get overheated and damaged or something.

Any comments on this? Am I overloading the USB ports?

alexkusu SG

sounds like me

2 usb ports on laptop, 4 usb hub connected.

then hdd, mouse, laptop cooling pad, fone usb adapter, mp3 player data cable, printer

usually at full usage, i find one or two items not workin (maybe low power) like the mouse.

i think best turn off ur pinter, hdd n webcam when not in use

troublemaker2005 SG

Firewire 'a' and 'b' i think 400mbps and 800mbps per link
USB 2.0 superfast 480mbps but share through all the available and tapped out ports (how ever u do it). so u have scanned printer, USB ADSL modem, mouse keyboard, external hdd extrnal car rider, USB phone charger, USB cup warmer how?

Mr. Green

fudgester SG

Hmm... THAT's a lot. Laughing

troublemaker2005 SG

imagine if your USB port is 1.1 and the transfer rate shared by all ports

Laughing

dork3d SG

From what me know and experienced before, NEVER connect two power hungry devices (like portable harddisks) to the USB at the same time, the overload current surge will not only knock out your USB ports but in worst scenario fry your motherboard…

fudgester SG

Well, I have only one external hard disk, and I keep it unplugged unless I need it for backups. When I do plug in the hard disk, I plug in an AC adaptor as well to supply extra power to the USB hub.

Likewise, my printer stays off when I'm not printing.

Still, I'm concerned that even with those precautions taken, I may end up frying my own USB ports.

MosPiranha SG

Haha, no lar.. you can load up to 128 devices on you USB drives...

The reason you need to supply current to your Harddisk is to prevent overheat... So you should be safe to connect this way.. Laughing

ditzy SG

Since your hub is externally powered, its sufficient. Unlike mine, I plug in an external hdd, and it just goes off. Laughing

fudgester SG

128 devices?!?! Where did you hear this? Shocked

As far as I know some devices (like external hard disks) need more power than others (like thumb drives). But surely even 128 low-powered thumb drives connected at the same time will collectively draw off massive amounts of power from the USB port?

MosPiranha SG

You will need extra power than...

This is the reason why USB is so popular nowadays..