Powered USB Hub Problem

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

I found a Belkin Powered USB 4 Port Hub that I had purchased a few years back, F5U233. I plugged it into my MacBook Pro and attached a new Canon Pixma 1800, my Treo 700P and my U720. Then the fun began.

First, Apple's WWAN decided to present the Verizon menu item instead of the Sprint. I also had to create a new port but that should be expected. After trying to delete various ports in the Network manager, in time I decided to revert to connecting the U720 directly rather than through the hub and everything returned to as it once was, bless Apple.

One item of interest might be that I found the uploads were reduced by 1/3 from the rather slow 150KB here in Okeechobee to 100KB or less, tested several times and at various sites to verify. Downloads were close to what I received before, in the vicinity of 1000 Kbps depending upon time of day and speed test site and server. Results with different places and times can differ as much as 50%.

I haven't tried this with Windows XP under Boot Camp and I don't think I will since I've learned the hard way, if it ain't broke don't break it.

The point about the speed is to provide some info for those who are having speed losses using the Sprint Router. I know someone is working on a fix but the question may be, does using an A/C Powered Hub or Router affect the card's upload speed, with some cards, rather than it being a firmware problem? It also seems that the U720 works just fine connected directly but has issues when connected to a powered USB hub, at least this hub.

I'm in the dark as to what firmware might be involved with this Belkin hub but other things work OK: the printer, my Missing Sync with the Palm Treo 700P and I have a few other items to try such as a card reader and Seagate mobile drive.

Hmm, just got disconnected for the first time. Looks like I have to uncheck the disconnect if idle option in the Network Preference Pane.