When buying a Powered USB Hub,
pay attention to the power adapter,
many are under powered.
the power adapter needs the 5V OUTPUT to have
at least .5A (or 500mA)
per USB 2.0 Port if you are charging or running anything like a disks, just to be safe .
4 ports = 2.0 A (2000 mA)
keyboards, mice take very little.
BTW Windows (XP) device manager can report 'USB root hub' port loads.
In the device manager: find a root hub: Properties: Look on the 'Power' tab (
Not Power Management)