USB Plugged in External Hard Drive Issues With Connecting and disconnecting

dawn121988 · Nov 8, 2024

I recently purchased a 2TB External Hard Drive from amazon I have had 2 1TB Hard Drives made by the same company for over 2 years and now I purchased a bigger one. And every once in a while I have a issue with it. I thought maybe the issue was with the hard drive but I ran a simple quick test by right clicking and going to properties and then checking the drive for errors. There was no issues found.

So since the drive is less then half full I figure it was a bit odd to start having issues since I have only had it less then 24 hours. And since there is no issues with the drive I have been thinking about using the 7 port USB hub I have and running the 2 hard drives from there the older 1TB and the newer 2TB hard drive until the files I want to move from the 1TB are moved over to the 2TB hard drive.

The only issue I have noticed is that the hard drives plugged into the USB Hub run a lot slower then running straight from the USB Port built into the laptop.

So here is what I'm trying to figure out:
(1) Is there a way to text the USB port to see if there are any errors with the ports
(2) I there a way to check the Hub to see if there are errors with the hub
(3) The hub I have had for less then 6 months so its not that old

Do any of you have any tips on how to figure out the issues I'm having.

bobkn · Nov 8, 2024

What's the make and model of the hub?

glasskuter · Nov 8, 2024

Is it a powered hub? You should not run external drives on a hub unless it's a powered hub.

antspants · Nov 8, 2024

USB hubs for laptops are mainly useless for externals.
I can run one into an unpowered hub without issue. I try running two, and there are problems.
Some of the ports can often only be good for charging devices.

In fact, if I have the external (self built) plugged into a laptop USB hub, basically it renders the rest of the ports in that hub useless, for anything. If I plug so much as a thumbdrive into that hub, the External vanishes.
I went through 3 in the same amount of weeks, wishing upon a star that something would change.

Currently, at best, I can run one external and the Ethernet adapter

mickey52 · Nov 8, 2024

want another option? give your problem to Copilot upper right-hand corner of edge main screen. just like you did hear. Then you can follow what all say to do. If you like Copilot like I do, you can download its app right on your pc desktop and attached to your taskbar.

antspants · Nov 8, 2024

mickey52 said:
give your problem to Copilot

Zero benefit in doing so. You would be typing variables in for a whole day. If you’re going to base your computing on what CoPilot says, I expect we’ll see a lot more help posts from you.

Tell us what you would ask CoPilot? Exactly how you would phrase it?

Vsynced · Nov 9, 2024

glasskuter said:
Is it a powered hub? You should not run external drives on a hub unless it's a powered hub.

Says who?

I have this thing running a mini LCD screen, a wired keyboard, an ext 3.5" HDD and an ext 2.5" HDD. The 3.5" HDD obviously has it's own power adapter, but that's it. Never had an issue.

antspants · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
The 3.5" HDD obviously has it's own power adapter, but that's it

Lol well there’s your answer to that mystery.

glasskuter · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
Says who?

Says me and just about anyone else who knows that a 5v usb port split into 4 by a hub will not give sufficient power to power certain devices dependably. Also says OEMs and the companies that make the hubs:

https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/do-i-need-a-powered-usb-hub-what-to-know-before-buying-one

Powered or unpowered—which USB hub should you buy?

This difference is all important when it comes to establishing which hub would be most suitable for your devices

www.cmd-ltd.com

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/what-can-you-do-with-usb-port-hub

hdmi · Nov 9, 2024

I use the European version of this one:

Amazon.com

cheaterslick · Nov 9, 2024

Check your USB cable and replace it with another one. They go bad after awhile.

dawn121988 · Nov 9, 2024

The hub is a cheap one. Its a 7 port hub each port has a off switch and there is a power adapter port next to the cable that attaches to the hub but the power supply cable did not come with the hub the hub is powered by the laptop. I am currently just trying to edit the metadata and names of TV Shows stored on the 2TB Hard drive and I have it plugged into the hub and this is the only thing running from the hub and the computer has only been running 10 minutes maybe 15 and already having issues. So I unplugged the hub entirely and have the 1TB plugged into the laptop and the 2TB plugged into the laptop. I have now just unplugged the hub to see if that will help keep the drive from connecting and disconnecting.

But the hub is a cheap one like listed above its by "Unknown" there is no writing on the hub. I have used it for usb flash drives and a wireless mouse but nothing so big as a 1TB or the 2TB hard drive. So maybe I will just stick with using it only when I need to use the flash drives.

Berton · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
Says who?

I have this thing running a mini LCD screen, a wired keyboard, an ext 3.5" HDD and an ext 2.5" HDD. The 3.5" HDD obviously has it's own power adapter, but that's it. Never had an issue.

View attachment 115720

I use that same Self-powered Hub on my Desktop as I have 2 x 4TB External HDDs, 1 x 1TB portable drive and a USB 3 Self-powered hardware-cloning Drive Dock connected, full intent to relieve power draw on the Desktop. I have the dock fastened on the edge of my desk using Velcro so I don't have to unplug any drive from the back of the computer, just press a switch. The main issue with 3.5" HDDs which are in the larger External cases is they require both 12VDC and 5VDC [same as internal HDDs]. The 2.5" drives in Notebooks and the Portable drives need only 5VDC so can use USB ports for power.

Vsynced · Nov 9, 2024

antspants said:
Lol well there’s your answer to that mystery.

There is no mystery. Read her quote again. She painted with broad brush strokes. The power adapter for the 3.5" drive is needed regardless of whether the hub is powered or not.

Vsynced · Nov 9, 2024

Berton said:
I use that same Self-powered Hub on my Desktop as I have 2 x 4TB External HDDs, 1 x 1TB portable drive and a USB 3 Self-powered hardware-cloning Drive Dock connected, full intent to relieve power draw on the Desktop. I have the dock fastened on the edge of my desk using Velcro so I don't have to unplug any drive from the back of the computer, just press a switch. The main issue with 3.5" HDDs which are in the larger External cases is they require both 12VDC and 5VDC [same as internal HDDs]. The 2.5" drives in Notebooks and the Portable drives need only 5VDC so can use USB ports for power.

Great minds! I used velcro strips for my hub too. The individual switches for each port are the cats pajamas.

Berton · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
Great minds! I used velcro strips for my hub too. The individual switches for each port are the cats pajamas.

Vsynced · Nov 9, 2024

hdmi said:
I use the European version of this one:

Amazon.com

Man, that's A LOT of ports. I don't think I own enough devices to do that thing justice. I do like it though.

Vsynced · Nov 9, 2024

glasskuter said:
Says me and just about anyone else who knows that a 5v usb port split into 4 by a hub will not give sufficient power to power certain devices dependably. Also says OEMs and the companies that make the hubs:

https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/do-i-need-a-powered-usb-hub-what-to-know-before-buying-one

Powered or unpowered—which USB hub should you buy?

This difference is all important when it comes to establishing which hub would be most suitable for your devices

www.cmd-ltd.com

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/what-can-you-do-with-usb-port-hub

Those infotisments are fine and all, but you stated rather matter-of-factly...

glasskuter said:
You should not run external drives on a hub unless it's a powered hub.

To which I say poppycock, and tip my hat thusly.
External drives, powered or not, work perfectly fine via the hub.

glasskuter · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
To which I say poppycock, and tip my hat thusly.

Of course, you are free to believe what you will and I will do the same. I have experienced such issues myself, a number of times, actually, especially with external drives. I didn't cherry pick the sites I referred to. They happened to be at the top of a long list that comes up with a web search. My original advise in this thread was directed to the thread starter who asked the question and not you, so I have every confidence he/she has enough information to do his/her own research and make decisions accordingly not based on opinion but the facts that are found.

antspants · Nov 9, 2024

Vsynced said:
There is no mystery. Read her quote again. She painted with broad brush strokes. The power adapter for the 3.5" drive is needed regardless of whether the hub is powered or not.

The point is, it alleviates demand on the hub/laptop, we’re talking non powered peripherals as per the actual thread starters comments, not your awesome setup. And no, a keyboard doesn’t count. I could rub my feet on the carpet really fast and power a keyboard with my hair

I’m glad your setup works for you. Back over to the OP

USB Plugged in External Hard Drive Issues With Connecting and disconnecting

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