How many USB ports

[HomerT]

I just ordered my CH Hotas today and should get it this week. My question was this: How many USB ports do I need to have open? I think I have 2 open in the back of my PC at the moment. Do The Pedals and Throttle plug into the Stick then the stick just pugs into the one port? Or do I need a seperate port on my tower for each item? I was hoping to get away without having to buy a USB hub... but if I need it I better order it now. Thanks for the help. I am sure it wont be my last question on these forums.
:rolleyes:

[MichaelCHProd]

For each CH USB controller you will need a USB port. So if you got the stick, throttle, and pedals you are looking at 3 ports.

It sounds like you might be short one port. I would not recommend a USB hub. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I prefer a PCI to USB expansion card. USB 1.1 or 2.0 it does not matter, I would however be picky about the chipset. The gold standard of course is Intel, but Opti, NEC, and Lucent are all real good choices. Personally I stay away from VIA, ALi, SiS, and AMD. I don't make this up :) (http://www.usbman.com/)

If you hit up the local Mom and Pop computer store you can usually find a decent PCI to USB expansion card (4 port, USB 1.1, decent chipset) for about $10.00. I did. B)

[HomerT]

Ok thats for the input... What is generally the problem with the USB hubs? The only reason I ask is it just seems easier and less problematic for a computer inept fool such as myself to plug a hub in rather than trying to push something into my motherboard and screw something up. Unless of course they are just plug and play then I could probably handle it... :wacko: Are the issues with the hubs brand specific do you know?

I am running a AMD 2.8, Asus A7N8X, WinXPHome.

Thanks Again

[Revvin]

I use a Belkin 7 port hub, using a desktop USB hub would perhaps be easier for you if you're not sure about installing a new add-on card inside your case. If you do go for a hub make sure it's a powered one ie it comes with it's own power supply.

[MichaelCHProd]

It is not just CH I get a lot of "please don't use a hub" with Palm Pilots, USB CD Burners, External Drives, etc.

Some people use hubs and swear by them, note Revvin above, but I have never had a hub (USB 1.1 or 2.0, powered or not) work to my satisfaction... i.e. all the time on every PC in my shop.

Most PCI to USB expansion cards are plug and play but if it has USB 2.0 there may be more to the install.