See the link, it adds additional usb ports to the laptop for any usb device camera, printer, mouse ect. So if you have a laptop and need additional usb ports for those usb devices then it's worth keeping.

zep

Here is a link that might be useful: Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Mini Hub

it is extremely useful and can be used with any computer not just a lap top. I use several on my desk, I have one hooked up to each pc and have them up on my desk so I can easily access usb ports for my media card readers or my flash drives or whatever uses USB ports. They are usually pretty inexpensive, the ones I have cost about $6 each. It may have been a freebie they sent you with the computer.

Google is a wonderful tool if used

Gene,

Thanks for the early Christmas present. How did you know I wanted a smile?

DA

Ho, Ho, Ho!
Thanks all, sounds like a keeper.
They didn't charge for it, so maybe it was included but its a Belkin.
Maybe i'll keep it as I'm tired of crawling under my desk to plug things in. BTW, it is tiny, about the size of a credit card.

Yes genes, Google is great but this forum is better! I get my question answered directly and quickly without having to read through a million links.

Merry Christmas to all, and wishing a wonderful, happy, healthy New Year...

Jane

yes mine are smaller than a credit card actually but I never ever have to crawl to plug in a usb item, I run a usb cable from one of the pc usb ports to my desk and plug in the hub and leave it sitting beside my monitor, I have one for each computer (labeled) sitting there, it sure makes it easy and increases the number of usb ports quickly with out having to open the pc and add a card.

Has the concept of self-help first been suspended? I must have missed the announcement. I guess I won't use Google to ferret out information in an attempt to help myself or another member anymore as I didn't know that we can't use it. I sure don't want to break any rules.

DA

Don't be such a Scrooge, DA.

Bobbie,

Absolutely no Scrooge here. You like many old timers know how consistent I always have been regarding the concept of self-help first 365 days a year.

Merry Christmas to all.

Yepper, I can attest to that!!!!!.lol

Yeah, I know. No offense intended, but I just couldn't help myself. The older I get, the more outspoken I am. LOL!

Actually 'Googling' offered 10 million links most offering to sell them. Belkins explanation was the same as written on the package which I didn't understand. I had no idea what this was and still don't.

Sorry to be so 'computer illerate,' but that's why I posted the question. A simple explanation was what I was seeking. I'm still not sure what he would use it for. His laptop has 5 USB ports. Does he need more?

Jane

"His laptop has 5 USB ports. Does he need more? "

He might, depending on what he connects and whether he wanted to unplug one thing to plug in another etc. I've got 4 ports on my laptop and several external hubs. I have a printer, a camera, 2 scanners, several external hard drives, and external DVD burner, a phone charger, an ipod and a few things I'm probably forgetting.

The mini hub will let him connect more than 5 USB devices at the same time. If he needs additional ports, he can "daisy chain" hubs, plugging one into another.

I have a laptop with 4 USB ports and I'm constantly short. When I'm home - I use a Belkin USB hub - but brought it along and it's asking for the cd installation disk and I forgot to bring that along :(((. Guess I'll have to go out to one of the box stores and buy another one - any brand bettr than others?

Also - my printer will not work when plugged into the hub and I've been wondering if external drives work better plugged directly into the computer? I have an external dvd burner and wonder if it needs to be plugged in directly to work well. I've been plugging and unplugging and it's driving me crazy.

Let me know if you think it would be safe to plug external drives into a hub, as well as the external dvd player please. Also recommended hubs.

Elaine

elaine,
You can just go to the Belkin website for the installation files. The reason that the printer doesn't work is because it is not a 'powered' USB port. I would reserve the on board USB ports for printers and external drives.

One thing that drives me nuts about USB hubs and devices is that if you don't plug them into the same port, they need to be reinstalled. If you can't find the driver download and you've used the hub before, you can try plugging it in a different port and see if it is recognized properly.

If the drives have their own power supply, you should be able to plug them in the hub, but if they're powered off the hub, they'll need to be plugged in the computer unless the hub is powered.

Some devices don't work well unless they're plugged directly in to the PC, whether the hub is powered or not, although I haven't seen that very often lately.

you can also get a powered usb hub which has it's own electric plug which you plug into the outlet, that way it is not using the power from the pc it has it's own power and then those items that usually must be plugged directly into the pc usb can be plugged into the powered usb hub.

I have many usb hubs I use daily and never have installed any thing to make them work I hate adding un-needed junk. I just plug a usb cable into the pc run it to my desktop and plug my hub into that cable, works like a charm on all my computers. I do use a powered usb hub for some things.

I have about 4 usb hubs I got at biglots for $6 each that are excellent they are not powered but they are 2.0, you want to make sure any you get are 2.0 hubs, often you can find really cheap ones but then find they are not 2.0 so are much slower.
I have another that is from Radio shack and has been used for years now with no problems.

Just to update. My husband was trying to learn how to use a Ipod and took the Belkin usb and plugged it in the computer and plugged the ipod into the Belkin. Spent hours trying to download his music and after much cursing and yelling, finally gave up.

Plugged the ipod directly into our old computer and everything suddenly worked. Seems the ipod wouldn't work plugged into this device.

This Ipod business has become a nightmare around here. I can't wait to go back to work...

Jane

Yes, the ipod needs a powered port so it's plug it into a port on the computer or get a powered hub.

Thanks for the advice re the hub. I decided to try plugging it into a different USB port and rebooted - sure enough it's working! Yeaaaaa! It is actually a self powered hub - 7 ports Belkin. So now I have lots of ports. I never thought about trying it in a different port - just tried one and it asked for a cd installation disk and I gave up when I realized I didn't bring it down with me.

So, being self powered - you would think most things would work, but I guess I'll just have to do trial and error. I do know that my printer wanted to be plugged in directly, not on that hub, so we'll see. It's a USB 2.0 so I'm ok that way.

Elaine