USB 3.0 Hub Recommendations?

[darkarn]

Hi guys, what USB 3.0 hubs are good/better than the AC powered Unitek model I am using now?

I am asking as I realised that it will not let me plug in 3 HDDs at any one time; I can only plug in one AC powered 3.5 inch HDD, one bus powered 2.5 inch HDD and an AC powered USB DAC.

I need models that let me do all that and plug in another AC powered 3.5 inch HDD. I sometimes also got use USB card reader, a Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle and thumbdrive (all USB 3.0).

Thanks!

 

[Entry Level PC]

None can perform the function you want.
Only solution for you is go buy usb3 y power cable so you can run those power hungry devices via external power and not try to run all on your USB 3 Hub with limited power.

 

[Swiftbladez]

actually any powered hubs should work. What wouldn't work is that some of the HDD have clashing drivers or something like that. I tried before, two of my drives cannot plug in together, only one will be detected while the other is powered up but got conflicting driver or something error.

 

[darkarn]

Hmm... The only device that can use that kind of Y power cable is the 2.5 inch HDD though (I don't think it will work with the Blackmagic; it's a loan set too so I don't want to do that). The rest are already powered with their own AC adapters.

As for drivers, I have cleared unneeded ones with USBdeview already, but the problem remains. All three HDDs will be recognised as separate HDDs, but one of the 3.5 inch HDDs will keep disconnecting unless I plug it into the second USB 3.0 port on my laptop.

 

[yusoffb01]

Hmm... The only device that can use that kind of Y power cable is the 2.5 inch HDD though (I don't think it will work with the Blackmagic; it's a loan set too so I don't want to do that). The rest are already powered with their own AC adapters.

As for drivers, I have cleared unneeded ones with USBdeview already, but the problem remains. All three HDDs will be recognised as separate HDDs, but one of the 3.5 inch HDDs will keep disconnecting unless I plug it into the second USB 3.0 port on my laptop.

Can't help u since u already using ac powered

 

[kandinsky]

swiftbladez might be on to something with the incompatibility? If your comp has two ports, maybe just have to get another hub to run the 3rd drive off that?

-------------------------------------

This FAQ mentions that incompatibility is a possible reason, then really LL. It's for WD, but should apply to other brands as well:

Problem:
A Western Digital external USB hard drive does not work when connected to a third-party USB hub, PCI card, or PC card.

Causes:

• The BIOS and/or driver for the third-party device may be out of date.
• There may be too many USB devices connected to the same hub or card, and they may be conflicting with each other.
• Windows or Macintosh may have problems communicating with more than one USB device at the same time.
• The USB hub or card may be defective and may need to be replaced.
• The USB hub or card may not work well enough to allow for the fast data transfer rates that the drive is capable of.
• The USB hub may require its own power supply.

Solutions:

1. Update the system BIOS for the computer/motherboard and the hub or card if possible. There may also be driver updates on the website of the device manufacturer that need to be installed.
   
   
2. Try removing some of the other USB devices connected to the same hub or card to see if the drive can be recognized. Also try moving the drive to a different input after first safely stopping the drive with the Windows system tray icon to prevent data corruption or loss. If that does not work, try connecting the drive directly to the computer's USB input to determine if the drive will work when it is not connected to the hub or card. If the drive works correctly when connected directly to the computer, technical support for the USB hub or card should be obtained from the device manufacturer.
   
   
3. Install the latest service pack or update for your version of Windows or Macintosh to ensure that any operating system USB updates are installed and running.
   
   
4. If other USB devices will also not work when connected to the USB hub or card, technical support for the USB hub or card should be obtained from the device manufacturer.
   
   
5. If the USB drive works correctly when connected directly to the computer, but not when connected to the USB hub or card, and all the solutions listed above have been attempted, an incompatibility between the devices may exist and the drive should only be used when connected to the computer or another USB hub or card that can support the high-speed data transfer rate of the USB external hard drive.
   
   
6. Verify that you have the USB hub connected to it's power supply and that it is running.

http://support.wdc.com/KnowledgeBase/answer.aspx?ID=1233

 

[darkarn]

Strangest part is that this same HDD was working when I connected it to the hub together with the 2.5 inch HDD and the USB DAC. Seems to me that the hub does not like two 3.5 inch HDDs at the same time.

Thanks guys, looks like I have to rethink this problem: Either I get another USB hub and connect that to the second port of my laptop, or I get something like this: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=175 and combine all the HDDs into it as a single USB device since these external HDDs are made with external casings that I bought, or even go build/buy a NAS for them (quite overdue anyway)

 

[Swiftbladez]

Yup you can go buy a DAS/NAS.

 

[darkarn]

Yup you can go buy a DAS/NAS.

The DAS selection in Singapore like not much though; a NAS seems to be much better (somemore got the option to DIY)