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USB max length is apparently 5m. At the moment, I have a 5m usb cable, and on the end of it my keyboard. My keyboard has an internal 1 port usb hub, which I have plugged my mouse into.
This setup works fine, 99% of the time - very occasionally they will stop functioning, but for the most part, it's absolutely fine. I previously had no 5m cable and it worked fine for a year. I have a slightly pricy intel motherboard.
I want to extend it to about 15m. So I bought some more 5m usb cables, and two powered hubs. I set my pc up as:
PC > 5m > USB hub > 5m > USB hub > Keyboard
> Mouse
This worked, but every 3-4 minutes, the usb hub in the device manager would disappear, my pc would lag, and my keyboard/mouse would turn off. After about 10 seconds, my PC would lag again, and the devices would start working again.
The bandwidth usage in device manager for the USB devices showed as 1%, 2%, 4% presumably for the hub, keyboard, mouse.
I have tried switching out the cables for other cables, and I have tried these combinations too:
PC > USB hub > 5m > USB hub > 5m > Keboard
> Mouse
and
PC > 5m > USB hub > 5m > Keyboard
5m > Mouse
I have tried using different ports in my PC and the USB hubs.
I am looking for either troubleshooting advice to narrow down the problem, or an alternative more reliable solution that won't cost a fortune. All help appreciated!
Wireless keyboard & mouse is a last resort :P
What is wrong with a wireless keyboard and mouse? They will give you the distance you need with no wires. – Keltari – 2012-09-19T17:49:21.087
I suggest you go wireless. – martineau – 2012-09-19T17:49:58.077
I have a 100 quid keyboard/mouse and I prefer wired mice because they're not so heavy. If there is no cheap usb cabling solution, then I'll empty my piggy bank for wireless :) – NibblyPig – 2012-09-19T17:55:44.930
Move computer close extend video cables – Carl B – 2012-09-19T18:19:11.170
I've got some decent experience with Geffen extenders that use CAT5 cables as extenders. This example is a bit pricey and only for USB 1.1 but it does extend up to 150 feet = 45m
– Darius – 2012-09-19T18:52:31.527I saw those with my research, is my keyboard and mouse gonna be compatible with usb 1.1? They're logitech gaming keyboard/mouse – NibblyPig – 2012-09-19T19:14:19.057
I want to say but I can't say 100%. Gefen offers other extenders that are USB 2.0 extenders but those go up in price quiet bit. Gefen USB 2.0 Extender up to 100m costs 499$
– Darius – 2012-09-19T19:19:20.077Cheers, I think selling my current keyboard & mouse and going wireless might be the best option after all. – NibblyPig – 2012-09-19T20:10:51.933