USB 3.0 issue - mouse and keyboard glitchy or not working when 3.0 hard disk plugged

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USB 3.0 issue - mouse and keyboard glitchy or not working when 3.0 hard disk plugged

Late 2012 Mac Mini: I use a Logitech USB 2.0 wireless mouse/keyboard bundle. Whenever I plug a 3.0 HDD, mouse and keyboard stop functioning or become so glitchy that they're unusable, forcing me to unplug the HDD. This happens with both my 3.0 SATA bridge and with an ordinary USB 3.0 HDD (which basically are the same thing). What would you suggest?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Late 2012, quad core, Fusion drive

Posted on Aug 11, 2013 12:59 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 11, 2013 5:11 AM in response to iBanjo

Take a look at this article, which described the problem you are experiencing. You may not be willing or able to do what's necessary to shield your Bluetooth card from USB interference (it is not easy to do for a typical user) but at least this will give you some information.

http://blog.macsales.com/15990-shielding-resolves-usb-3-0-conflict-with-bluetoot h

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Answer 2

iBanjo Author

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Aug 11, 2013 7:45 AM in response to John Hammer1

Interesting article, but didn't help because I'm not using the internal bluetooth module but a USB one (which I'd rather not replace, for it suits me well). Here's a snapshot that might explain everything better:

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Answer 3

den.thed

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Aug 11, 2013 8:04 AM in response to iBanjo

Have you tried switching the Wireless Dongle to the inside port and your external hard drives to the 2 outside ports?

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Answer 4

iBanjo Author

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Aug 11, 2013 8:17 AM in response to den.thed

Yup, already tried every possible combination, but none worked. I've got to add a detail which I doubt to be useful, but still exists: the mouse/keyboard behaviour is quite "random". I mean that sometimes the keyboard completely stops working while the mouse though glitchy is usable, while some other times the keyboard works and the mouse stops working. Also happened that the both of them stopped working.

Moreover, I've got no issue at all with my mouse/keyboard when no 3.0 HDD is plugged, and on my laptop with only 2.0 USB ports I can use both devices at once without any problem.

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Answer 5

den.thed

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Aug 11, 2013 8:48 AM in response to iBanjo

Humm... try plugging the wireless dongle into a short USB extension cable.

See > Wireless product not working properly when also using a USB 3.0 device - Logitech FAQ

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Answer 6

iBanjo Author

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Aug 11, 2013 8:59 AM in response to den.thed

Yes, thank you very much. Actually I've found this advice in several articles, and eventually I'll buy a USB extension.

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Answer 7

den.thed

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Aug 11, 2013 10:06 AM in response to iBanjo

Your welcome!

Please let us know if that solves the problem, it will undoubtedly help others here in the forums.

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Answer 8

iBanjo Author

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Aug 11, 2013 10:11 AM in response to den.thed

I sure will, once I get the cable.

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Answer 9

iBanjo Author

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Sep 6, 2013 7:04 AM in response to iBanjo

So, here's what works for me: 1.5m USB extender to keep the 3.0 device at a distance from the USB bluetooth dongle. Problem solved 😉

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Answer 10

Sep 14, 2013 2:26 PM in response to iBanjo

This USB extension solution also worked for me to get the Microsoft wireless mouse dongle away from the USB 3 hub I just got.

Al Burnham

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Answer 11

Jun 18, 2015 1:34 PM in response to iBanjo

I have a Mini with BT4.0 and USB3.0. using a 3.0 hub, 3.0 Ext HDD, and the CD drive may be 3.0. No wonder I couldn't connect to my BT speakers 15ft away. I understand the concept of using a BT adapter in an extension.

Buuuuut.....what if I just put USB 2.0 patches between all my 3.0 devices? the 2.0 cables will prevent the USB 3.0 card functions and frquencies, right?

I don't really need the speed for my purposes.

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