I have an Axim X5 and use a cradle plugged into a belkin 4-port powered USB hub plugged into my desktop. I was having trouble with syncing (I couldn't get the desktop to even temporarily display the connection notification in AS).

When trying to manually sync from the axim I would get a message about improper connection settings and would be asked if I wanted to go to the connection settings screen.

I tried unplugging the usb hub's usb cable but accidentally got the power cord... and the cursed thing finally synced. When I plug the power cord back in I lose the sync and when I unplug it I get it back again (the hub still draws power from the computer).

Just thought I'd pass along this wierd occurence given that I've seen a lot of stuff about people needing a powered hub...

I am wondering if theres some sort of electrical short that with it plugged in that its actually not getting as much power as it should. With it plugged it it might have a smart circuit to not draw current from the usb port. But the transformer might not be enough juice. Then when you unplug it, the unit draws the current completely usb slot that is working fine. MAYBE?

Wildcat aka Scott
Technical Operations
ESPN

I have Linkpro usb hub which works fine without power - I have never tried it with power but do notice that there is a dipswitch that needs to be changed for self power instead of bus power. Maybe you have similar?

I haven't noticed any switches... it seems to work fine on just the USB so I will probably just keep using it that way.

I also thought that it was some sort of hinkey electrical thing... it worked great for months then just started having the problem... the way the problem occurred acted like the computer couldn't detect the USB connection, but had no problem charging.

USB is an interface that is not ready for prime time. It is very flakey, and adding hubs just adds to the problem. USB is very susceptable to interference, so your problem may be a noisy power supply that is creating enough "noise" in the hub to interfere with the USB signals. Other people find they need to be powered because their hub doesn't support sufficient signal strength without it. Others find that the front USB ports don't work, but the back ones do. It all has to do with the interference from other wires and signals.

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