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Dontpanicau
3 Posts
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1758
December 18th, 2018 19:00
17 R5, USB Hubs using external HDDs drops out K&M
Hello, I've done a quick search on this forum and only came up with one thread with the suggestion being to update the BIOS, Drivers and check for bus errors. I have done and completed the checks and have no errors.
TL;DR: Using external HDD through a USB 3.0 hub into a side USB 3.0 port drops out the connection to the external mouse and keyboard.
Long version. Purchased an Alienware 17 R5 and received it less than a week ago. Connected it in this manner.
Monitor 1 - ASUS PG278Q ROG SWIFT - Connected via - Alogic 2m Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable Ver 1.2 - Male to Male - ELEMENTS PN ELMDPDP-02
Monitor 2 - FLATRON L246WHX - Connected via - ALOGIC 2m PRO SERIES High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet Ver 2.0 Male to Male HDMI-02- MM-V4B
Right hand side USB 3.0 port connected to Monitor 1 using USB 3.0 Cable. Monitor has 2 USB ports.
Monitor USB 3.0 ports connected to;
ASUS Wired/Wireless ROG Spatha
Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750
Left hand side USB 3.0 port connected to 7 Port TP-Link TL-UH700 USB 3.0 Hub
7 Port TP-Link TL-UH700 USB 3.0 Hub (Has its own power source) connected to; 8TB WD 3.5" USB 3.0 My Book External HDD PN WDBBGB0080HBK (Has its own power source)
Corsair VOID USB Carbon Dolby 7.1 Gaming Headset PN CA-9011130-AP
This was the initial, almost identical setup to my 5+ year old gaming tower. Everything works fine. Except for 2 instances
1) When not using the headphones and trying to use the internal speakers my K&M will intermittently dropout. Using the headphones, no worries.
2) When I go to access the external HDD. Even just viewing the folders in the EXT HDD will intermittently dropout the M&K. Transferring files makes it worse.
So I thought maybe its the hub. I upgraded it to 7 Port Volans VL-HB07 USB 3.0 Hub and kept the same setup. Same issue.
So I though I'll try the rear thunderbolt port and went and bought a 4 Port Volans VL-HB04-C USB-C to USB 3.0 Hub (Has its own power source). The K&M dropout issue stops but the T/B connection randomly drops out. Its like a loose connection yet the connection is solid. I'm at a loss here. Power doesn't seem to be the issue its only when data is being viewed/transferred and the onboard speakers are in use.
Do you think purchasing some headphones to run through the headphone jacks would help lower the load on the USB port? Should I change the USB ports over? Switch to using the left side USB-C some how? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Dontpanicau
3 Posts
1727
0
Posted December 19th, 2018 13:00
The only thing being supplied power by the USB slots on the laptop is the headphones.
The EXT HDDs, hubs and monitors have their own power source.
Still, the data and power need to travel through. This could also be a compatibility issue. If the devices work on other PC's but not on this one, this is probably the reason. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that a setup composed by all these components would work at 100%.
Eimy_B
6 Operator
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4365 Posts
1733
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Posted December 19th, 2018 10:00
Hi @Dontpanicau,
This is a power limitation unfortunately. It is not possible to use it this way as the machine will not be able to provide enough power to all devices. Using a self powered docking station and self-powered HDD could be the only way to make it work. Still, not official.