Strange USB Port scenario

G

Griffmaster

New Member
Hi.

Can someone explain what might be going on here please.

Mobo ~ Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H on Windows 7

I have a Belkin USB Hub which is connected to one of the rear M/B USB ports and works fine.
I also have a USB Wireless Adapter which is plugged into one of the Hub Ports and works fine.

To tidy wiring up a bit, I removed the Wireless Adapter USB plug from the Hub and plugged directly into Motherboard USB and Wireless Adaptor stops working.

Even if I plug the Wireless Adaptor into the M/B USB port which the Hub was using still does not work.
Plug the Hub into the M/B USB Port and and the Adapter into the Hub again and it works OK.

Can anyone explain why the Wireless Adaptor will not work when plugged directly into the M/B but works OK in plugged into a Hub which is plugged into the M/B?

Thanks.
 
What you need to do is plug the wireless adapter into the mobo usb port and install the drivers again,you probably installed the wireless drivers while it was plugged into the hub.
If u plug say a wireless mouse dongle into a usb port windows will automatically install the driver and if u plug into a different usb port it installs them again, not sure why. Give it a try anyway:good:
 
A usb wireless adapter should never be plugged into a usb hub as far as I'm concerned, just asking for issues. Connect the adapter to a usb port on the computer directly, you will get better speed that way.
 
Thanks so far.

Will try installing drivers while plugged into back of Mobo.

One thing I have picked up during Googling is that apparently, some devices need more power than a Mobo USB can provide and thus need to be connected to a powered Hub??

Mine is a powered Hub and the adapter is an ‘ALFA High Power 1000mW Wireless USB WiFi version’.

Could this be why it only works when plugged into my powered Hub?
 
No, You shouldn't have to use a hub to power the wireless adapter. You most likely need to reinstall the drivers for the device once you have changed usb ports.
 
Have tried un-installing the Adapter driver then connecting Adapter directly to one of the mobo ports and reinstalling the Adapter driver ~ no luck just a red cross in the Taskbar connection Icon, no yellow markers in Device Manager anywhere.

Plugged back into my USB Hub, re-installed driver and immediately connects up with 5 bar signal strength and good download speed.

This Adapter seems to only work from a powered USB Hub so looks like the answer is it needs to be connected in this way.
 
What is the model number of the adapter? Most likely you have an issue with the usb ports not providing enough power. Most likely due to bad usb ports, psu, or just a corrupt Windows installation. A powered hub is not required to use a usb wireless adapter, plain and simple.
 
The adapter is an Alfa Network AWUS036H 1000mW Wireless G USB Adapter and utilises a USB cable i.e. does not itself plug directly into a USB port.
 
No where in the manual for that adapter does it say you need a powered hub. I'm assuming you have a low power issue with your usb ports. I'm sure the adapter will work on a different machine without the powered hub.
 
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