usb stringing?

[billygoat333]

I searched to see if I could answer this question myself but I got mixed answers.

Anyways, what my question was is this: Would it be possible to just string 2 devices on one usb cable by splicing two cables together instead of buying a hub? I would only be using the usb at the end of the string, just need to pass through another connection to make it seem like the device is going through a hub? just a more of a curiosity question as a USB hub is like ~$10.

[Greco101]

I say buy the hub. You can find cheap ones on eBay all day long.

Here's a cheapy for 4 bucks shipped. (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Portable-Mini-4-PORT-USB-HUB-for-PC-Notebook-Laptop_W0QQitemZ250206070757QQihZ015QQcategoryZ116 343QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

A little nicer for 4.50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-PORT-HIGH-SPEED-480MBPS-POCKET-MINI-USB-2-0-HUB-HU4A_W0QQitemZ150205012947QQihZ005QQcategoryZ31495 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[McCoy]

In a very vague way of answering,
depends........
remember that usb sockets also supply power to some of things you stick in them.
Keyboards, mice etc. Im no expert on things electrical, but as I understand it....

If you plug the wrong 2 things into "your" usb circuit you run the risk of overloading
that circuit. Maybe blow your PSU, or MB, or just let some of the magic smoke out of the wires in that usb ports wiring. Although, I did make a usb Led light once ( yes I know you can buy them, but where is the fun in that ) that occasionaly gives a windows error saying that the usb device has been shut down because it was drawing too much power.
So if you run XP OS you may have some protextion against this.

[SgtM]

^^
Agreed with both statements. Hubs are very inexpensive rightnow, and you don't want to take a chance of drawing too much power and blowing something out.

[Xpirate]

It would not work. A hub provides a switch between the two devices. Without the switch, the serial communication would not be possible.

[Spawn-Inc]

ya i would just get the hub aswell, i might pick one up at a local store for like 4-5 bucks and then resolder the wires, or not depends then mod it into my computer monitor.

[billygoat333]

yeah.. i was planning on getting a hub, it was just a more of a curiosity question. thanks and +rep to all that answered! :)

[Spawn-Inc]

if you need some led's then go to this place http://www.ledshoppe.com/ and they will give your a code for a free usb hub on your next order if you sign up to there newsletter. if you don't want them just make a spam email and use that:)

[billygoat333]

oo that sounds like a good idea. one can never have too many leds, in my opinion. :)

[Karbon Killa]

No, it is not possible from what I have tried. For 1, there is the power issue as stated before, and 2 every item needs its own system bus. I needed multiple usb items for an old laptop ive been working on for a buddy, and it only has one. I wanted to just solder more ports to the board, but found out it didn't work. I just went out and bought a 10 dollar 4 port usb hub from the local store that has everything.

Edit: sorry, didn't read that you got this all answered. Or even how long ago this thread was made, just been kinda going too far back in the posts to see what happened to those old ideas and whatnot. :)