Something odd is happening on my monitor, which is hard to describe. The picture appears to surge forward, as though it is going to switch off, and then resumes a normal display. Is this the gypsy's warning that something is about to fail? I've also experienced a couple of instances of Blue Screen of Death just after boot up. Help please. TIA TOK

Is there a loose video card in your PC? Or is the video supply on the motherboard? Either way, I'd suggest you try the monitor on another PC, but I'd strongly suspect your PC. Have you dusted out the PC recently - if you get an accumulation of dust it can melt the processor, which may be related to the blue screen problem you mention.

Thanks SC. We are a one PC household so option one does not apply. The PC was in a repair shop earlier in the year having a new power supply fitted. I think I'll let them have a look at it.

Take the case cover off and blow to clear the dust. Or, take your monitor round to a friend's house & try it.

TP: Sounds like a fairly meaty power supply, sufficient to power all 7 ports - but maybe it has failed. The USB hub will remain powered from the computer if its own supply is removed - hence the lights stay on.

However, a single USB port has a maximum output rating of 500mA which means that the hub would only support a maximum of 500mA across all its ports if the external supply fails. To diagnose, try disconnecting the hub from the computer, connect the hub's external supply, then see if the lights stay on.

Sorry to butt-in.
- - - - Is this monitor a CRT (old, bulky, gets hot)...?

Can you describe the fault again; er, more precisely if pos.



Earlier Q. re USB
- I think you're unlucky as I have a variety of usb HDD bits connected from time to time (Dell Desktop abt 10yrs old). However there is a "limit" on the data/power you can take, are you sure the ext-PSU really is doing the work? Your explanation of the PSU-lights is a tad confusing to me....if you switch off (don't withdraw the plug-in) the ext supply then the USB-device should stop working, is my understanding. Only if you pull the DC-connector, will the periperal draw current from yr PC.
However there is a limit and for hungry periperals, like HDD's, DVD-writers, etc an external PSU is better. If you buy a external case (to put a HDD inside) then it should come with a 5v/12v PSU but maybe your set-up is different.
Good Luck.

PS
-that "127-USB devices" that Win-supports is a theoretical limit I'm guessinig. But even the latest USB-spec will be slowed down. Modern PC's also have eSATA connections ( That's external SATA), which are intended for HDD's and are more robust than plain SATA which are rumoured to break easily, just when you're busy!).
I guess you may need to fit an additional card (easy in a desktop tower) for USB and eSata support, this will provide greater certainty. So far for non-pro use I've avoided SATA drives, since EIDE are sill available cheaper. HDD, if looked after are about the most-reliable safe-option for storing your pics - - - IMHO.
I don't store them on the C-drive as it's so tiny . . . . all my stuff is external, either USB=pen-sticks for letters, or HDD's for photos, as copy of a CD. That way I can burn a replacement, should it be needed.

Hi H. Monitor is very old and bulky but doesn't get hot. It's a Gateway VX700 if that means anything. Here's another go at describing what's happening (now with increasing frequency): The picture sort of contracts as though it is going to disappear down a plug hole and then restores itself with the same momentum.

Tube's going! (Sorry to steal your answer Hangon).

I concur. Time to recycle & invest in a LCD FST monitor.

Thanks guys. Just waiting for hangon to agree and I'll raid the Running Away
Fund.

"Your explanation of the PSU-lights is a tad confusing "

What I tried to say was that the hub has a red power light and green lights for each USB device.

When I removed the transformer, from the mains, to look at the output the lights stayed on - but maybe a bit dimmer.

When, on the suggestion that I remove the hub from the PC but leave it connected to the mains, the red light stayed on and all the green lights went off.

If an additional card is the answer I'll do it. But will it have seven sockets? I fear not. Surely it must be possible to buy something that truly amplifies the signal so that one socket on the PC genuinely can support seven devices?

TP

TP: Sounds like the external power supply is OK.

I suspect that the problem you have is bandwidth. Your 7-port hub is still connected to a single USB port and will be constrained by the bandwidth available through that port. And remember that it's 7 ports as it's a 4-port hub connected to one port of another 4-port hub - which in turn is connected to a port on your computer.

MM,

" And remember that it's 7 ports as it's a 4-port hub connected to one port of another 4-port hub - which in turn is connected to a port on your computer."

Ah well, that's a pointer. I have my 7 port hub connected to one port and my USB mouse to another. Clearly I should junk the 7 hub and buy two 4 port hubs and put them into the two ports.

Belkin are a good name. I'll look for two of theirs.

TP

Are your USB devices 1.0 or 2.0 or a mix?

TP: Also, put the external HDD on to a port directly on the computer.

Low-bandwidth HID (Human Interface Devices) such as mouse, keyboard, USB headset etc will all be perfectly happy on the external hub. So don't junk it yet . . .

If your HDD needs two USB ports (not unusual if it's USB powered because the power requirements exceed 500mA), plug the 'power' USB plug into the hub and the 'data' USB into the direct computer USB.

MM

MM,

Thanks. Now I know that a 7 hub is only one 4 linked into another 4 I can re-think my access to the PC. It comes with four USB sockets.

My photographic PC needs to look after:-

Photographic quality Epson 2400 colour printer
Mouse
Two separate, mains powered, external hard disks containing image files
Negative scanner
DVD burner (the internal one is rubbish)
Camera card reader

and

Two mains powered external hard drives kept in another room and taken into the studio to back up the images held internally on the PC and on the two externals.

Canon 5d occasionally 'tethered' to the PC for portrait sessions.

(All the powered HDD's have their own transformers)

And, tyketto, I think they are all 2.0 but with something like a mouse I cannot tell.

TP

A Password Card for your wallet.

(The page at the link explains how it works)

This card could usefully be laminated (a service offered by Staples if you haven't got your own Laminator) and having a little tool like this in your wallet really does seem like a very good idea.

I wonder if something like this contravenes the golden invalidator rule that 'passwords should not be written down'?

Bruce Schneier's Blog on passwords, security and security technology

Final chapter of The Powered Hub.

Following the lead from my gurus around here I have junked the seven socket hub and recovered two four socket hubs, both Belkin, that were in a drawer. They work perfectly and the annoying 'USB drive not recognised' has gone away.

This was the criminal.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=45619

Barge poles at the ready. Luckily I did not pay 29.99. They must have upped the price to deter mugs like me from buying them.

TP

TP: That's great, glad your problem is solved.

USB hubs seem to be of very variable quality, and the 7-port hubs seem to be the most susceptible.