Unable to startup with USB Hub connected

Question

Level 1

34 points

Unable to startup with USB Hub connected

I've been having a problem lately with my iMac 27" (Late 2013) getting passed the startup chime while my 10 slot USB Hub connected. Connected into the hub is 6 external hard drives, an external Blu-Ray drive, Lightning to USB cable, and a USB extension cable that goes into one of the powered slots that I use for misc. devices. For the most part, it just takes my iMac a while to startup when it works properly, but every now and then, it won't startup properly at all until I startup with the USB hub disconnected. So here's what I'm wondering:

1. Should I look for a USB hub that has 10 powered slots, or does one even exists?

2. Is there something I can do to make sure this doesn't happen, because I do need that many USB devices connected at once, at least the 6 drives.

3. Is there such a thing as USB hub that connects to a Mac via Thunderbolt instead of USB?

Posted on May 31, 2015 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,340 points

May 31, 2015 1:58 PM in response to djluis2k7

You need to do some troubleshooting before assuming it's the USB hub. It could be the hub but it also could be a cable or one of the devices connected to the current USB hub. Remove all devices from the Hub and startup with the hub only, if it successfully boots then it's likely one of your devices. You will need to add each one by one until the problem comes back.

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Answer 2

djluis2k7 Author

Level 1

34 points

May 31, 2015 2:04 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Ok, I'll try that next time. What about when it takes a while for the iMac to startup? I imagine that's normal with so many external drives connected. Or should I test that in the same manner as well? Because without the hub, my iMac starts up in less than 10 seconds.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

207,325 points

May 31, 2015 5:02 PM in response to djluis2k7

Are all the connected devices self powered? If not definitely get a self powered USB hub. You may be drawing too much power from the USB port.

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Answer 4

djluis2k7 Author

Level 1

34 points

May 31, 2015 8:11 PM in response to Old Toad

All 6 external hard drives are desktop drives and all have their own power. The external Blu-Ray drive is the only device connected to it that isn't connected to a power source, neither is the Lightning to USB cable, but isn't used that much.

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Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

207,325 points

Jun 1, 2015 8:57 AM in response to djluis2k7

Try the following: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 6

djluis2k7 Author

Level 1

34 points

Jun 1, 2015 3:04 PM in response to djluis2k7

Yeah, I've reset the SMC many times, every time this happens. The only thing that fixes it is by removing the USB hub. That's why I keep thinking it's something about the hub. My iMac has USB 3.0 ports and the hub is 2.0.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

207,325 points

Jun 1, 2015 4:56 PM in response to djluis2k7

You have 4 USB ports on that Mac. With one for the Blue Ray drive you can daisy chain 2 drives each in the other 3 ports. You'll still have 2 Thunderbolt ports available to use with USB adaptors for what ever else comes along.

It might even be faster that way since the USB hub that you have may not be USB 3 but only USB2.

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Answer 8

Oct 13, 2015 3:42 AM in response to djluis2k7

I have the same issue: iMac 21.5 late 2013, with usb hub 2.0 NILOX. Any news?

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Oct 13, 2015 4:08 AM in response to carmine64

The usb ports on the mac are 0.7 to 1 Amp. Calculate yourself: the iPad takes the max out of its connection, the iPhone takes about 1 amp, the blueray also I guess. So follow the advice of Old toad to solve the power shortage.

There are no powered 10 USB hubs afaik, but you could use one self powered 2 USB hub and the disks on the non selfpowered 10 hub.

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Answer 10

Old Toad

Level 10

207,325 points

Oct 13, 2015 8:26 AM in response to Lexiepex

Xcellon 10-Port Powered USB 3.0 Aluminum Hub Silver, USB 3.0, 10, Self Powered, Cables & Adapters, USB Hub, Computers

There are 10 port USB 2 self powered hubs available and about half what the USB 3 hubs cost. A simple Google search for "powered USB hubs" will find many.

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Answer 11

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Oct 13, 2015 8:36 AM in response to Old Toad

Hi OT, great, even better.

thanks.

Lex

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Answer 12

Oct 13, 2015 2:56 PM in response to Lexiepex

My hub is self-powered too. May it be a "backpower" issue? Excuse me for bad english. Thank you for answers.

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Answer 13

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Oct 13, 2015 11:56 PM in response to carmine64

I don't think so.

perhaps you start a new thread and explain your issues a bit better, perhaps even with an Etrecheck list (www.etresoft.com). It is absolutely not certain that your issues is the same as from the OP.

Lex

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Answer 14

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Oct 14, 2015 12:03 AM in response to carmine64

You can write here in your national language if it suits you better. There are many people around with translation equipment / knowledge. (Especially in Dutch 😉)

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Answer 15

djluis2k7 Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 13, 2015 9:14 AM in response to djluis2k7

Well I was never able to solve the issue with a USB hub, but I ended up buying a 12TB Thunderbolt drive by WD and my Mac boots up quickly now.

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