No it doesn't its only powered by USB its 2.5" IDE I ripped from an old laptop and stuck in an enclosure - could this be the problem? Actually I just tested it on the laptop and the same thing happens (no power when connected to hub but fine in laptop port). Didn't think of this before. So I need either a new mains powered hard drive, or to go for the homeplugs.. was hoping there was a cheaper solution..Does either the hub or the hard drive have an external power supply?