Due to too many items I can't write it all here, this can happen. I'd plug it directly to the the laptop and to sidestep the power issue use the usual USB Y-Cable.
As to STORAGE, you may be repeating a common misconception. These are no reliable enough to be called storage but a fine copy. If you don't backup, you may repeat what so many others have experienced. At least some one warned you.
Yes, it worked before but I consider such a setup unreliable and would never suggest this.
Bob
I have a 1T Toshiba Canvio which I've had since Christmas. I use it to store music, mostly operas, both audio and vidio. At present, it's about 3/4 full. I've had it plugged into a hub and it worked without a problem, but suddenly it is not recognizing it.
When I put the Toshiba into a laptop or even my old Samsung Netbook, it works fine and I can access everything. I have other smaller flash drives on the same USB hub and they continue to work. Recently, I thought I had lost everything on the drive until I plugged it into the other computers.
The hub is 3/2, as my computer has only usb2.
Any thoughts?

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic