Problem with Belkin 7-port USB hub

I recently installed a Staples brand 7-port, externally powered USB 2.0 hub on my 24" iMac. With the hub plugged into the computer and powered up, my computer would not go to sleep. I discovered this after experiencing kernel panics when leaving my computer idle for a long time. I started experimenting and found that when the computer tried to sleep, the hub would wake it up, even with no devices plugged into the hub.

I believe the kernel panics resulted after hours of trying to go to sleep and being cycled back on by the hub. Maybe someone can explain this?

I've unplugged the hub and, alas, no more kernel panics. Now, to find a hub that works without these issues...

Hello Jeremy

Did you make sure that hub was Mac compatible check the package.
If you click "more info" in the 4 port link you will see that this 4 port is compatible for Mac 10.3 and above. If you click "more info" for this 7 port model it does not say mac compatible.

4 port http://www.nextag.com/Belkin-TetraHub-USB-2-58171710/prices-html

7 port http://www.nextag.com/Belkin-HiSpeed-USB-2-500518076/prices-html

Mac compatible hubs will switch off and allow iMac to sleep!

Dennis

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8) Maxtor 300GB FireWire 2G Nano

Not true.

If you directly to the Belkin web site and scroll down to the bottom of this page you will see the 78 port hub is Mac compatible.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=158910

Not true.

If go you directly to the Belkin web site and scroll down to the bottom of this page you will see the 7 port hub is Mac compatible.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=158910

(sorry about the previous typos)

Larry

1) In you profile I don't see which model of Intel iMac you have.
2) Any usb hub will plug in, I just used those two hub links as examples.
3) My point here was that, if your hub is on and active your mac may have trouble sleeping.

Dennis

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8) Maxtor 300GB FireWire 2G Nano

Dennis,

Your point in the previous post was that the Belkin 7 port hub was not shown as Mac compatible in the Nextag vendor URL you provided. I simply showed from the Belkin web site that it is listed as Mac OS X compatible.

Furthermore the Belkin 7 port hub is listed in the Apple store as Mac compatible. That being said I have no experience with Belkin, but distributors often don't include all of a device's features in their ads.

I think the real issue is that USB hubs follow a rather complicated protocol between the device and the hub and between the hub and the host which leaves much room for "interpretation" by the hub vendor. Sadly one only finds actual performance and usability by painful experience.

I am about to pull the trigger on a new 24" iMac and wonder if anyone has found a powered hub that handles 4 or more ports well and doesn't conflict with Tigers sleep mode??

Thanks,

Larry

Larry

You've hit the nail on the head and drove it home on the second wack.

I have 2 of the Belkin 4 port powered mac compatible hubs and they allow the iMac to sleep.

Dennis

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.8) Maxtor 300GB FireWire 2G Nano

I have a Belkin 7-Port USB hub connected to my 20" Intel iMac, running OS X 10.4.8. The only sleep problem that I ever experienced is when my CanoScan LIDE-60 is connected to the hub; upon putting the computer to sleep, the scanner immediately "cycles," causing the computer to wake. The solutiion has been to connect the scanner only when it is needed. Otherwise, the hub functions perfectly -- the scanner, not the hub, is the source of the sleep problem.

Intel iMac, 20", 1GB Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Dear all

I have a slightly different problem with the Belkin 7-port hub (f5U237ukAPL-S) and my intel-based iMac 24"

I have an Epson scanner, a HP printer, a Casio camera and my iPod all running via the hub, plus my 1GB Kingston flash drive.

I only set the hub up today so there may be more issues on the way! but so far (touch wood) only the following small problem: if I hot-plug the flash dive in, the iMac doesn't "see" it (the icon does not appear on the desktop). If I reboot it "sees" it fine.

Any ideas on how to overcome this?

I'll post more problems if they arise!

My 2GB Flash Drive works fine connected to my hub that way, except my printer is connected the my third port. So I'm not sure exactly why your flash drive is not mounting with your system running.

Here are a few things you can do and or try:
1. Allways be sure you eject the drive before you disconnect it.
2. One of the other devices on the hub could be preventing it from mounting(you will have to test by process of elimination) and move that device to the third socket on the back of your Mac.
3. Use an extension cable from the third socket on back of Mac as the connection point for the flash drive.

Also you should start a new Topic Post for further questions

Dennis

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.9) Maxtor 300GB FireWire Creative Inspire 2.1 2G Nano

Thanks Dennis

It seems to be the scanner that is the culprit. I've yet to test it properly but with the scanner turned off the flash drive behaves fine.

Thanks!

You are welcome, glad you found the culprit 🙂

17" iMac Intel Core Duo 1.5GB Ram Mac OS X (10.4.9) Maxtor 300GB FireWire Creative Inspire 2.1 2G Nano