USB Question

[Happy Go Lucky]

I have ran out of USB ports on my computer, if I wanted to use a new usb device, can I simply unplug one of the devices and plug in another, ie can I have 2 USB devices, using the same port, on different occasions?

Thanks

 

[Chameleon]

Yes you can, but tbh if you have more than 2 usb devices, you might consider getting a standalone, 'own power supply' usb hub.

 

[Happy Go Lucky]

whats tbh stand for?

 

[sabrex]

tbh = to be honest !!

I think its 5.5V on USB some front USB go down to 3.3

This puts your PSU under stress u best get a power supply feed to those USB extras.

 

[Happy Go Lucky]

thanks,

tbh

I have 4 USB ports, they are all used by speakers, printer, radio, digital camera, they all have their own P/S apart from the digital camera.

Do I still need a :-

standalone, 'own power supply' usb hub.

If so where can I get one?

 

[FuZor]

Hi,
Well my rig has 6 USB ports! Unless your PC has a crappy low wattage power supply, then there is no need for a seperatly powered USB hub. As in reality most USB devices are self powered anyway. Apart from low power devices like ZIP drives/modems etc. Your main concern should be bandwidth! the trouble with plugging all these extra hubs, into your two main USB ports, is that all the bandwidth is being shared about. Not a problem unless you use all your devices at once. Your best bet is to install a USB PCI card, which plugs into a free PCI slot(and gives you 2 full bandwidth USB ports ). Available from any PC store!

PS: They cost about £10-15

check out

www.novatech.co.uk

or

www.pcworld.co.uk

 

[xane]

I've got eight USB devices on my rig, the Keyboard is one of them and acts as a 4-port hub too (all are full).

 

[FuZor]

Man thats ALOT of USB devices!!!

 

[caLLous]

I got 2 on my case (well, there are 4 on the front of the case, but they're not plugged in to the mobo) and 2 4 port USB hubs.

 

[xane]

USB Keyboard
USB Mouse
USB Gamevoice
USB Sidewinder Joystick
USB Scanner
USB Camera
USB Modem
USB Palm Cradle

Mind you, the scanner has its own power supply, and the camera is not always connected, and when it does connect it has its own power too.

 

[Skyler]

gah, its bad enough that I have to use USB on one device... id never use it for any others!

usb = teh sux

 

[FuZor]

It can be anal pain sometimes, hopefully USB 2.0 will be better

 

[PR.]

Bah USB is great, the most annoying thing is when you plug a device in then it won't work cos you don't have Admin rights

System Security = Sux

 

[FuZor]

heheh too true man, however if you got an older crappy VIA chipset, then you got bigger USB issues. Like your Force Feed back 2 yoystick not working!