Computer wizzes - how to get external USB hub to work?

[darklisruthven]

My PC (XP / Asus motherboard, USB2 connections in the back) is driving me bananas.
I have a couple more PCI boards coming to expand my USB slots, but I am mystified as to why, when I plug a device (camera/ phone etc) into the PC directly via the USB slots on the back, it has no problem detecting them and working fine, but I am unable to get external USB hubs to work.
I got a couple from the 99p shop, and they didnt work.
I then bought an expensive, mains powered one. Even that doesnt work. I plugged in three things, one activated for about a second, then stopped and the computer will not detect anything linked to it. If I use the port I plugged the USB hub into on my PC, for directly connecting something, it works fine.

Even the local computer repair shop guy was mystified.
Any ideas?

[billsstamps]

I had that problem on my old Windows 7 machine, but the hubs worked after I ditched Windows 7 and reinstalled Windows XP.

[darklisruthven]

I am running windows XP.

[Tallshrew]

As you've tried both unpowered and powered hubs it sounds like the hubs are not being recognised/installed properly rather than the things you're plugging in to them. When you first plug a hub in to the pc's usb port it should go through an installation sequence - has it done this for them ?

[darklisruthven]

No nothing happens at all.

[Tallshrew]

OK. Try pluging your USB hub on it's own (may as well use the good one) into all the different USB ports on the back of your PC and see if any pick it up. If yes then XP should install it then you're ready to plug your peripherals into the hub. If not then with the hub plugged in to your PC go to XP's "Control Panel" and click on "Add Hardware" and click <next> to search for new hardware and see if it finds the hub (you can actually try this first if you want).

[damian_steele]

JOOI, how old is the computer? I'm guessing that with XP on it, it's going to be at least ten years old. Are the USB ports USB 1's? If so, this might help: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/...in-windows-xp/

[darklisruthven]

That is wonderful- it seems to have worked!!!

[Tallshrew]

That is wonderful- it seems to have worked!!!

Wot worked ?

[damian_steele]

Wot worked ?

Ooh, she's such a tease.