USB hub problems on WinXP

Factual Questions
1

So I’ve got this tiny USB hub, 4-port (don’t remember the brand–it’s at the office). I’m trying to plug my mouse & keyboard into it, not to mention my phone and an external drive. Computer is a Toshiba Satellite.

I get the dingDING when I plug in the mouse, ditto for the keyboard. Sometimes I get “problem installing XYZ hardware” and sometimes they work OK. Even when they start working at first they sometimes stop after a short while. If I plug them directly into the USB ports, they seem to work OK.

Is there something wrong with the hub? Anything I can do about it? It doesn’t seem like the plugs are loose or anything, and the wires aren’t wiggling that I can tell. It sure is a pain. Any guesses? Any clear answers?

2

Does the hub have its own power supply? Keyboard and mouse don’t draw much power but an external drive does … and if by “phone” you mean you are using a MagicJack, they recommend plugging in to the main USB on the computer or a powered hub.

3

I’ve found all hubs are not the same. Getting a name brand hub like a Belkin solved my power issues.