USB hub random failure - wonky connections ?

[fohat.digs]

I use USB hubs (don't we all?) and seem to get random errors ("this USB device has failed ..... ") that unplugging and re-plugging almost always fixes.

Since I use one for my keyboard and mice, a failure on that one means aggravation at the minimum, and worse if a reboot is required.

This has happened off and on for years, and I have come to accept it, but my question is whether this is commonplace.

Currently, I have a <1-year-old mid-grade ASRock motherboard and a few different USB hubs from no-name cheap-Os to name brands like Belkin or Toshiba, powered and un-powered, USB 2.0 and 3.0 and it seems to happen randomly and infrequently across the board.

I have tried pinching the cable connection, making the long side of the metal rectangle just slightly concave, in hopes that it would keep the contacts tighter, and that seems to help somewhat but not always.

Any other observations or suggestions?

Thanks!

[tp4tissue]

try diff pc using that hub so you can tell if it's mobo-related..

if it is.. just get a usb controller card for idk, 8 bux

[fohat.digs]

try diff pc using that hub so you can tell if it's mobo-related..

if it is.. just get a usb controller card for idk, 8 bux

Like I said, it happens in differing combinations.

Also, even full-size mobos these days have fewer slots every generation, and I am always full and wishing for more.

[rowdy]

I have a hub that works power or unpowered.  I use it mostly for my camera, a LED lamp and USB sticks.

When unpowered, the camera would work (recognised by the OS, pictures can be exported), but wouldn't charge.  The LED lamp worked.  USB sticks would often work, but just as often not work at all.

When powered, the camera works and charges well, the LED lamp works well, and USB sticks work perhaps 98% of the time.

The few times USB sticks don't work I get a disconnected message from the OS, and replugging it always fixes it.

I just live with it.

Mac mini and a cheapy Zipp 7 port USB 2 hub.