USB Hub - Max cable length

T

TimTDP

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I have a Dlink 7 port USB hub. It is connected to my laptop via a 3m cable.
I notice that I occasionally loose connectivity with some of my devices, esp a usb hard drive and my mobile phone.

Is the length of the cable a potential problem?

Are wireless USB hubs available?

Thanks
 
The recommended ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM is about 5m. 3m could cause a problem if the cable is damaged (or REALLY poor quality), but I have a few cables around 3m in length, and they don't give me any hassles.

Is the hub externally powered? Too many USB devices running off the hub could give issues if the hub is not externally powered (there is a maximum output for each port on a computer: probably even lower for notebooks). If your hub has the option of plugging in one of those daisy chain plugs (1 cable with 3 plugs, 2 go to the computer and 1 goes to the hub), try that, otherwise try get an externally powered hub. If you're too cheap to buy one out to try (I'm like that, heh), then try limit yourself to fewer devices for a while, and plug each device into its own port directly (on the notebook).
 
For high throughput data devices, further than 1.8m is where one runs into trouble. A 5m active extension lead will sort that out. Its got a little amplifier at the one end. I have used up to 3 of them, daisy chained in the past, getting almost 17m without a problem.
 
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You can also buy a USB 2. (5 meter) repeater cable for around R200.00. I have seen them at Matrix. It boosts the signal and allows you to go to longer length. I also have one of the D-Link 7 port hubs, but have not used it long enough to say. I bought it cos my USB Printer and BlueTooth Dongle kept dying on me and I had to plug them in again. :( So what you tell me is not good news.
 
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