This dubious hub has apparently killed three Mac motherboards so far, so let's investigate what could have caused that. Note that it's worth removing the hub and attempting to reboot the Mac, since the presence of the hub may be stopping it from waking.
First test was on the power supply with a PAT (Portable Appliance Test) doing an insulation test for a double insulated appliance between its input and output. It passed.
Next test was to see if it might be backfeeding the computer when it was turned off. The USB standard has a lot of protection, but I don't think they envisaged power actually being applied to the computer from a USB port. This one is backfeeding!
This is where an illuminated USB cable could actually show if a hub was backfeeding power out its input connection.
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First test was on the power supply with a PAT (Portable Appliance Test) doing an insulation test for a double insulated appliance between its input and output. It passed.
Next test was to see if it might be backfeeding the computer when it was turned off. The USB standard has a lot of protection, but I don't think they envisaged power actually being applied to the computer from a USB port. This one is backfeeding!
This is where an illuminated USB cable could actually show if a hub was backfeeding power out its input connection.
If you enjoy this channel you can help support it with a dollar for coffee, cookies and USB compliant devices at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
I remember something weird happened when I had an Xbox One X connected to a KVM switch (with the USB plugged in)
For some weird reason, it wouldn’t turn on while that USB cable was connected if it had been switched off at the mains for a while, but if it had recently been turned off, it would turn on again
Disconnecting the USB cable would then allow it to turn on (sometimes I would have to turn it off and on at the mains before it would turn on)
None of the other devices connected to the KVM switch had any issues (not even my PC), it was just the Xbox
I have no idea what caused that, as I checked for back-feeding, and couldn’t detect anything, and even weirder, if I connected a 2 way USB switcher between the KVM switch and the Xbox, that somehow prevented the issue
Today, this power-return ambiguity could actually be used, under circumstances, cautiously, devices and brands are different, to back recharge the OTG host via the micro or C USB connector, while allowing the host to simultaneously operate the attached client devices, maybe? Are USB-C and microUSB connectors wired equally?
I have the same hub and i never tried to power it because i do not trust anything made in china especially cheap hubs like this one . thank you for the video ,you may saved many laptops 👍
On hubs like that, there is supposed to be backfeed protection for the host port while being able to have host power or have adapter power the ports. Having unregulated or unexpected power at a USB port not designed for it can lead to many issues.
That is a glaring design flaw. Very bad.
Jesus, you made me reach across and unplug the power from my newish orico hub. I shall get my multimeter out and check if the host connection is powered while the hub is powered!
I think the USB spec calls for 5V to be connected with a diode to prevent back feeding, but the host port should also have protection against current flow from the peripheral…
Must remember to buy all of the remaining stock of this hub and send them out to every member in the Mac Users Database…
I used this hub on my PC and it's fine
What doesn't kill a mac? Those macs didn't require a new motherboard, they required a $5 chip and possible a few other components but Apple lied to get them to pay for a whole new board. If they sent those computers to an independent repair shop that does component level repairs, they would have been told the truth.
Thanks again China.
If your circuit can be fried by applying +5V to the +5V rail, you should probably be fired.
Dump your Mac and buy a PC. PC's are cheaper, more flexible, more serviceable and there's plenty of software to choose from. Never heard of this happening to a PC. I keep a USB hub plugged in mine all the time.
From watching many of Rossman's videos it would appear that looking at a mac funny is enough to kill it.
Lol macs are sensitive infants just like the people who design them (Californians)
I thought Macs we're immune to failure?
Rotten Apples, dam them to hell.
Wouldn't a diode fix this issue
I wonder, are modern smartphones also killing computers due to the reverse charge feature? Occasionally left mine plugged in after shutting down, noticed the motherboards cosmetic LEDs would remain lit until I disconnected the phone. I suspect that the phone saw a load connected and decided to power it.
As far as I can remember, every powered hub I have owned functioned this way. They could be used with or without the power adapter. If I was using all self-powered devices, like printers or hard drives, it was no problem. With mice, keyboards, and thumb drives, they were limited to available power from the computer port, of course.
I don’t know for sure if they back-fed the 5 volts, but I’ve never had a failure on windows systems. I’ve never tried on a Mac.