Which Powered USB Hub is best for iMac 27"

Question

Which Powered USB Hub is best for iMac 27"

I am trying to use a powered USB hub with my new iMac 27" and it seems to be interfering with my card reader and iPhone cradle. I used this same one on a PC and had the same problem. There must be one that will work all the time.

Thanks

Andy

iMac 27" 3.06GHz Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.3), Parallels, Win7, FoxFire, iPhone3G

Posted on Apr 26, 2010 7:19 PM

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Answer 1

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Apr 28, 2010 8:44 AM in response to andyhutch1947

Powered off devices can affect the USB bus, either by loading it down or by picking up enough power from the bus to send signals. It would be a good test to leave them unplugged to see if it makes a difference.

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Answer 2

Apr 27, 2010 7:30 AM in response to Arch Riker

The Belkin is plugged into the iMac and I have a Canon LIDE 90 scanner and a HP Photosmart A626 printer plugged into the hub and they work flawlessly. The card reader worked for a couple minutes and then lost connection until I plugged it into the computer. The iPhone always gives an error and wouldn't work until plugged into the computer. I have another posting http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2412193&tstart=0 dealing with the iPhone not being listed in iTunes when running Parallels.

I wish I had more than four USB connectors in the computer but, so be it.

Thanks for your help. I am in the Orlando area.

Andy

Message was edited by: andyhutch1947

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Answer 3

Apr 26, 2010 8:55 PM in response to Arch Riker

USB Hub: Belkin; powered; 2.0; 7 port

Card Reader: ativa AT-52N13; Reads CF/MD, MS/MS PRO, SD/SDHC/MMC, SM cards; also has three USB ports; This is an off brand manufactured for Office Depot

I had error issues with both until I plugged them into the computer.

Andy

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Answer 4

Apr 26, 2010 9:29 PM in response to andyhutch1947

I had very good luck with my 7-port Belkin powered hub, the one with two USB ports on the top, until one of my cats vomited on it.

Are you saying that when you tried to plug your card reader and phone cradle into the Belkin hub you got error messages, or did they simply not work? You have plugged the Belkin directly into your iMac and not into the keyboard USB port, right? And the Belkin hub works for all your other needs, right? It just doesn't like the card reader and phone cradle.

I seem to have more questions than answers. Sorry. USB and USB hubs can sometimes by finicky.

Arch

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Answer 5

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Apr 27, 2010 8:22 AM in response to andyhutch1947

I have the same hub, with a Canon Lide 600 and generic import card reader, along with a couple of other devices and don't have any problems. USB devices and drivers can interfere with each other, so you may have one device that causes the others to have issues.

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Answer 6

Apr 30, 2010 9:23 PM in response to direwolf8

Switched the USB cable that goes from iMac to hub and it works without any problems whether other devices are plugged into the hub or not. I switched back to the original cable and it worked for a couple seconds and then I lost the iPhone connection in iTunes. On one test the original cable worked without any problems but when I unplugged it and plugged it back in it quit working so I think the mini USB cable end that plugs into the hub must be bad. Into the garbage it goes, the cable that is, not the hub.

Thanks for your help guys!

Andy

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Answer 7

Apr 26, 2010 7:38 PM in response to andyhutch1947

Which powered USB hub are you currently using? What brand card reader?

And exactly what is the problem you are experiencing?

Arch

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Answer 8

Apr 27, 2010 6:05 PM in response to direwolf8

What if the other devices are not on but plugged into the hub? The scanner and printer are this way most of the time.

Andy

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