USB Hub + USB Flash drive problems

[Lord Alpha]

Hello everyone,

I have a 7-port USB hub, into which is plugged a 16GB flash drive. On this flash drive are some video files. If I attempt to play these videos directly from the flash drive, Windows somehow "disconnects" the drive and it no longer shows up in My Computer. If I remove the drive and plug it into a different port on the hub, Windows will eventually recognize the drive again but will be disconnected again if I attempt to play the videos directly as before. Repeat ad nauseum

I have no problems copying these same files to my local hard drive while the flash drive is connected to the hub and playing them from there.

Also, If I plug the drive into a USB port that isn't part of the hub (eg. one of the PC's two front USB Ports) I can play the videos directly from the drive with no problems.

What I'm trying to find out is why the USB hub seems to be so problematic.

Any info appreciated

[Deathlike2]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sour ... oEBU_QAuKL

It's documented... but it seems to suggest registry problems. Although the google search seems to turn up as an XP problem, I doubt it's entirely specific to XP. Googling to a specific Windows version may be more helpful.

[Agozer]

I have a similar problem with one specific USB port (so far anyway) when I plug in a USB flash drive. I can browse, but as soon as I start a longer copy operation, said operation eventually grinds to a halt as my Windows XP does not detect the drive anymore for some reason.

[funkyass]

is the hub plugged in?

[PHoNyMiKe]

usb hubs suck, they are unreliable like wifi connections. use a powered hub if you must, or get a new powered hub.

[Gil_Hamilton]

Yeah. With a high-port count like that one, a powered hub is pretty much a requirement.

[Lord Alpha]

is the hub plugged in?

Yes. Both the USB wire and the power cord are securely plugged in.

@powered hub comments:

Assuming a powered hub is one that plugs into a wall socket, then the one I have is a powered hub

[paulguy]

Never had any issues like that with a flash drive, but I have one of those Mayflash USB classic controller adapters and it'll only work on 2 of my USB ports, which I assume are on the same controller as the rest, or at least the same KIND of controller. It doesn't even work on the USB 3.0 ports on a completely separate NEC controller.

[Chronos53]

I too would suspect that power is the issue here. Are you sure the hub is properly plugged into the socket? Maybe you should replace the power cord/plug and see where that leads you. Its not really hard to do if you have a bit of tech know how (and a spare cord of course).

The thing is that video files really drain a lot of resources, especially if they're large and you're using a high end video player. Maybe you can get it to play by using a less draining, standalone player like VLC?

[Gil_Hamilton]

The thing is that video files really drain a lot of resources, especially if they're large and you're using a high end video player. Maybe you can get it to play by using a less draining, standalone player like VLC?

Except VLC is awful, and the video files play just fine if they aren't on the flash drive.