# USB hub problems on WinXP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-hub-problems-on-winxp/482794>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 24, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-hub-problems-on-winxp/482794 "2009-01-24T16:08:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-hub-problems-on-winxp/482794/1 "2009-01-24T16:08:14Z")

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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?

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**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-hub-problems-on-winxp/482794/2 "2009-01-24T16:43:25Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-hub-problems-on-winxp/482794/3 "2009-01-24T17:18:54Z")

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