USB-C woes

I know it's not a Windows 10 thing, but it is an Alienware 17r3 laptop running windows 10.

Laptop comes with a USB-C plug, but my current USB-C hub is internally powered (t has no A/C adapter for power), which I presume is why it won't work with any SSD, SSHD, mouse receiver (don't understand that one), or much else. About the ONLY things I can use the USB-C hub for is a flash drive and card readers for the SD and XQD memory cards.

Which means because of needing large, fast storage for images, and backup for incoming ones, all 3 USB-A ports are full, and when there's data transfer going on between USB hard drives, the mouse is inoperative... That's the simplified version. I need more working ports.

SO, presuming the USB-C needs additional power, I'll have to get a different hub and an adapter. I was thinking if USB-C is significantly superior to USB-A (which it must be since I see hubs that'll take 4 USB-A devices AND drive 4K video concurrently), I should get EITHER

• A USB-C hub with external power and a passthrough USB-C port and a USB-C HDD carrier for the 8TB hard drive to plug into the passthrough,
• A USB-C HDD carrier with a USB-C passthrough and a USB-C hub with external power.

Thoughts on which of these options would work best? And recommendations for a GOOD, reasonably priced USB-C hub with at least 4 USB-A ports. I DON'T need a card reader. I don't need an RJ-45 (is this something for the Mac world?). I don't need an HDMI port - the laptop has one. I don't need anything as near as I can tell except several USB-A ports, an A/C power adapter, and depending on the above, a passthrough USB-C so I can plug in the HDD. Recommendations?

You might check your settings sometimes this USB C ports are also TB you may need to change settings. otherwise just buy a powered USB C to USB 3.0 hub

That recommendation about hub with passthrough to 3.5" enclosure... May not matter 'cause I can't FIND any 3.5" enclosures that are USB-C with a pass-through. And almost NONE that are just USB-C... SO, I guess it's going to be a USB-C hub with some kind of A/C power adapter and HOPEFULLY be able to plug an actual hard drive into one of the USB-A ports...

Now I have to go figure out how to tell if the USB-C port on this thing is Thunderbolt or not (presuming that's what you meant by TB)... The port has the little "thunderbolt" on it, but does this mean it's NOT a USB-C port? Or that it IS a USB-C but won't work with a USB-C hub? Or what?

GracieAllen said:

That recommendation about hub with passthrough to 3.5" enclosure... May not matter 'cause I can't FIND any 3.5" enclosures that are USB-C with a pass-through. And almost NONE that are just USB-C... SO, I guess it's going to be a USB-C hub with some kind of A/C power adapter and HOPEFULLY be able to plug an actual hard drive into one of the USB-A ports...

Now I have to go figure out how to tell if the USB-C port on this thing is Thunderbolt or not (presuming that's what you meant by TB)... The port has the little "thunderbolt" on it, but does this mean it's NOT a USB-C port? Or that it IS a USB-C but won't work with a USB-C hub? Or what?

on my Asus G752VY there a setting to set to use for USB C or TB I have never used the port so not sure where you would look

Hi there
This one works absolutely fine for me (note it's USB-C to USB3). I then plug the USB port on the external HDD into the powered USB3 port.

HP USB-C naar USB 3.0-adapter (P7Z56AA#ABB) Adapter

sorry for Belgian link - working in Belgium currently - but the idea is the same just google USB-C ->USB3.



If you've run out of USB3 ports there's loads of decent powered 7 port USB3 hubs out there so plug the adapter at the USB3 end into the hub and the hub into the computer.

Now to do it the other way around -- i.e the USB-C is the INBOUND device I'm not sure as the only USB-C device I have is a Samsung S8 smart phone which connects without problem to USB3 / USB3.1 or USB2 ports on my laptop / other computers.

I haven't actually seen any USB-C external HDD's yet -- not sure if there's "any such animal".

Never used the "TB" setting - don't know what it does or what devices use it. Standard USB-C is fine.

Cheers
jimbo

Here are some links to Thunderbolt hard drive https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=361VGEUFFXL7M

Apparently, this one will work with USB C or 3.0 come with a cable for both? https://www.amazon.com/G-TECHNOLOGY-...3.1+hard+drive

Here is a USB C hub that is powered https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-M...+adapter&psc=1

Personally, I have an adapter cable USB C to USB 3.0 going to a USB 3.0 hub. TB and USB 3.1 and USB C are all so new that there really just aren't many devices to use them on. here are some options for that kind of set up https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ble+to+USB+3.0

I think perhaps I'm explaining this poorly... I want to take advantage of the "massive" throughput of the Thunderbolt/USB-C port on the PC to connect at least TWO high-speed drives - an 8 TB, 7200 rpm HDD that's powered separately and a 4TB 2.5" HDD that's powered from the USB port. I also need to have a flash drive and a wireless receiver in whatever it is that plugs into the USB-C port.

Plugging this equipment into a standard USB3 hub does NOT work. I don't know if it's power, throughput, protocol, or what, but it's incredibly slow and locks up everything else that's plugged in.

I don't want to put ANYTHING in the path that'll cause any of this to revert to USB3 capability - I want to use the USB-C capability.

I can find a USB-C hard drive from G-Drive, but it's not useful - both the little one (2.5") and the larger one (3.5") are USB-C, but they're HARD DRIVES, and not very good ones. If I go that route I need a 3.5" ENCLOSURE I can put my SATA III drive(s) in. And I haven't found any yet.

Alternatively, I need a USB-C (or Thunderbolt) HUB that has the necessary A/C power adapter so it'll take whatever load is involved in plugging in the hard drives (one USB powered, possibly a SECOND USB powered SSD, one HDD externally powered)... SO FAR, I can find HUGE numbers of hubs - they appear to be aimed at Apple, so they're cute and glitzy, but none of them appear to be made for anything more demanding than charging a cell phone.

I found ONE USB-C hub that MAY have the power adapter, but I'm waiting for a response from the manufacturer. But, I haven't gotten through the umpteen pages that turn up on Amazon when you put in anything like "USB-C hub with power adapter" or equivalent.

Take a look at this one
Wavlink 10Gbps Universal Aluminum Docking Station with Stand Holder, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 with Power Delivery, Gigabit Ethernet, 4K HDMI , 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 50W Power Adapter,Flip Style Design - Newegg.com

Also study up on all this tech
3 Problems With USB-C You Need To Know About

GracieAllen said:

I think perhaps I'm explaining this poorly... I want to take advantage of the "massive" throughput of the Thunderbolt/USB-C port on the PC to connect at least TWO high-speed drives - an 8 TB, 7200 rpm HDD that's powered separately and a 4TB 2.5" HDD that's powered from the USB port. The very best 7200 spinner hard drives are going to max out at about 150 MBS no matter how you hook it up. Which the best ext connection for SATA hard drive spinners is eSATA.
The Speed limit is set by the actual hard drive max speed and USB 3.0 maxes that out. Now then putting an SSD in a TB ext case may take advantage of some of that out put?

I also need to have a flash drive and a wireless receiver in whatever it is that plugs into the USB-C port.
See the hubs I linked earlier one of them had several different outputs
Plugging this equipment into a standard USB3 hub does NOT work. I don't know if it's power, throughput, protocol, or what, but it's incredibly slow and locks up everything else that's plugged in.
I can't really help with this my notebook is the only device that has TB or USB C, however, I always use powered hubs I have never found Non powered hubs sufficient to run anything other than a thumb drive

I don't want to put ANYTHING in the path that'll cause any of this to revert to USB3 capability - I want to use the USB-C capability.

I can find a USB-C hard drive from G-Drive, but it's not useful - both the little one (2.5") and the larger one (3.5") are USB-C, but they're HARD DRIVES, and not very good ones. If I go that route I need a 3.5" ENCLOSURE I can put my SATA III drive(s) in. And I haven't found any yet.
Again I'll remind you SATA Spinners run at maxium speed on USB 3.0 or eSATA there will be no gain by connecting them to USB C or TB You will have to go to SSD's or for the fastest speed M.2 NVME I have not seen any external cases for M.2 NVME there may be some or some in the future that would work on the TB technology. I mentioned earlier that SATA Spinners will max out at about 150mbs, Now then is you go SATA SSD they will max out at a0round 500mbs. Now the is you could find a ext case or a M.2 NVME SSD the max is about 3000mbs
Alternatively, I need a USB-C (or Thunderbolt) HUB that has the necessary A/C power adapter so it'll take whatever load is involved in plugging in the hard drives (one USB powered, possibly a SECOND USB powered SSD, one HDD externally powered)... SO FAR, I can find HUGE numbers of hubs - they appear to be aimed at Apple, so they're cute and glitzy, but none of them appear to be made for anything more demanding than charging a cell phone.
I did link you to a powered TB Hub in my last post, also the USB C was first used by Apple, it is the same for PC and the latest smartphones
I found ONE USB-C hub that MAY have the power adapter, but I'm waiting for a response from the manufacturer. But, I haven't gotten through the umpteen pages that turn up on Amazon when you put in anything like "USB-C hub with power adapter" or equivalent.

Try the links i gave you they are to pages they have what your looking for

FunkMaster said:

Take a look at this one
Wavlink 10Gbps Universal Aluminum Docking Station with Stand Holder, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 with Power Delivery, Gigabit Ethernet, 4K HDMI , 2 USB 3.0 Ports, 50W Power Adapter,Flip Style Design - Newegg.com

Also study up on all this tech
3 Problems With USB-C You Need To Know About

Great link on USB-C I only knew some of this informaton