Quick question re: USB port usage - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

wooÐs · 01-25-2010, 02:00 PM

How not ok is it to use the same port for multiple devices? With the way my tower is placed, it's not very convenient to constantly pull it out to access the 3 ports in the back. But I do have one in the front that I currently use for 2 devices. Think it's ok to use it for a 3rd or no?

telekinetic · 01-25-2010, 02:27 PM

Are the devices using the USB for power or just data? If all of the devices are just using it for signal (not charging your phone or running any cute but useless fans or coffee cup warmers), you're fine. If you're trying to use a lot of powered items on an unpowered hub, it probably won't work, but if it DOES work, it won't hurt anything. If you are using a powered hub (one that you have to plug in to the wall as well as to the computer) then you are fine to connect as many things as you want.

wooÐs · 01-25-2010, 02:33 PM

I currently use it for my webcam, which I rarely use, as well as my cell phone data cable which of course doubles as a charger. I got a memory card today to start using the phone as an mp3 player so I'd like to use the same port to transfer data to the memory card.

Probably better to use another port huh.

Wyodiver33 · 01-25-2010, 03:17 PM

I prefer powered hubs. I nuked a USB port on a Dell once, so I don't like hot-swapping things in and out of computer ports. I just think that USB ports are a bit delicate.

Canine · 02-09-2010, 06:11 PM

On my home desktop I use a powered multiport, which plugs into a single USB port and runs three external harddrives, a webcam, a card reader, my ipod when it needs to be plugged in, and a little robotic owl, with no trouble at all.

01-25-2010, 02:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
wooÐs Sitting in a tree Location: Atlanta	Quick question re: USB port usage How not ok is it to use the same port for multiple devices? With the way my tower is placed, it's not very convenient to constantly pull it out to access the 3 ports in the back. But I do have one in the front that I currently use for 2 devices. Think it's ok to use it for a 3rd or no?

01-25-2010, 02:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Are the devices using the USB for power or just data? If all of the devices are just using it for signal (not charging your phone or running any cute but useless fans or coffee cup warmers), you're fine. If you're trying to use a lot of powered items on an unpowered hub, it probably won't work, but if it DOES work, it won't hurt anything. If you are using a powered hub (one that you have to plug in to the wall as well as to the computer) then you are fine to connect as many things as you want. __________________ twisted no more Last edited by telekinetic; 01-25-2010 at 02:29 PM..

01-25-2010, 03:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	I prefer powered hubs. I nuked a USB port on a Dell once, so I don't like hot-swapping things in and out of computer ports. I just think that USB ports are a bit delicate. __________________ I like stuff.

02-09-2010, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Canine Upright Location: Fort Bragg, NC / Kandahar Province, Afghanistan	On my home desktop I use a powered multiport, which plugs into a single USB port and runs three external harddrives, a webcam, a card reader, my ipod when it needs to be plugged in, and a little robotic owl, with no trouble at all. __________________ Awesome sig coming to a post near you! If you say plz because its shorter than please, then I'll say no because its shorter than yes.

01-25-2010, 02:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
wooÐs Sitting in a tree Location: Atlanta	I currently use it for my webcam, which I rarely use, as well as my cell phone data cable which of course doubles as a charger. I got a memory card today to start using the phone as an mp3 player so I'd like to use the same port to transfer data to the memory card. Probably better to use another port huh.