Can Two Hard Drives Be Combined Into One to Save USB Inputs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike Phan
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Combining two hard drives into one USB connection can be achieved by using a USB hub, which allows multiple devices to connect through a single port. However, it's important to choose a powered USB hub to ensure that each hard drive receives sufficient power for optimal performance. Some users have experienced issues with hubs, leading to the suggestion of alternative solutions like a USB PCI card or new hard drive enclosures that use wall power instead of drawing power from USB. Concerns about potential slowdowns when using hubs, even powered ones, were also raised, indicating that while hubs are a practical solution, they may not always provide the best performance for hard drives.
Mike Phan
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I have two hard drives hooking up to my PC and they used up my 4 USB inputs. I am thinking of if we can combine the two to be one, so that we can save two USB inputs. Anyone can help? Thanks
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
The extra USB cables are needed to supply extra current to the HDDs in order to reach maximum read/write speeds.

As stated by russ_watters, the best option would be to use a USB hub - it could be compared to a network router - which basically joins anything from two to eight or more USB devices into maybe one USB port.

Personally, if you do choose to go down the route of using a hub, I would recommend one with an external power supply since you are effectively splitting the ~5V and ~500mA between many more devices than normal (I can't remember if this is the current specification or not) which may cause them to run slow / not at all.

Search eBay or Google for more information, alternatively another user or myself can provide links if neccessary.

Regards,
Kwah =]
 
First of all, I would like to thanks to all.
Yes, I am using an USB hub, but as I said I don't like this way. Moreover, sometimes they don't work with the Hub and I have to hook up directly to my PC. I thought of the power inefficiency but it is not right as my hub has an external power supply.
 
You could get a usb PCI card instead of the hub. Maybe that would solve it.
 
The only way you're going to be able to get rid of the second USB connections is to get new enclosures that are powered by wall power rather than drawing from USB power.
 
If you're certain that the 2nd connection on each drive is for power only (which seems like a reasonable assumption) you could get AC to USB power transformers like http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4837" for those connections.
⚛​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just use a powered hub. Jeez.

- Warren
 
chroot said:
Just use a powered hub. Jeez.

He [post=1625103]said[/post] the hub he's using now is powered.
⚛​
 
  • #10
Probelm with a hub, even with USB 2, is that it will slow it down (more so than it already is as a HD being run through a USB)
 

Similar threads

Can consumer devices with a pen drive port inject computer viruses?
Replies
14
Views
2K
How can I reformat a USB thumb drive that is not recognized by my Windows 10 PC?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Can SSD Enclosures Handle Gaming Without Lag?
Replies
5
Views
3K
USB tethering the Raspberry Pi 5 to Android Phone (no DNS)
Replies
12
Views
863
Male Micro SD to Male USB Cable?
Replies
8
Views
7K
Booting Ubuntu on a Mac from external SSD
Replies
11
Views
3K
Problems with a USB network adapter for a PC
Replies
15
Views
3K
Differences Between DVD/CD Boot and USB Boot
Replies
1
Views
2K
Problem of having no more than one SD slot
Replies
25
Views
3K
Back Up Phone Data: Solutions & Tips
Replies
23
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top