connecting usb HDD to skyq router

[trev7421]

Hi.
i have a hard drive full of videos, music,photos etc which i would like to share using plex or alike.
i only have 2 usb on my laptop which are used so i cannot have the usb in there and the only other option was through the router, but alas sky forgot to add one.
is it possible to add an 2nd router via ethernet cable so i can plug the HDD in to that so i can use the 2nd router instead? i would have wifi etc switched off on the 2nd one to avoid conflicts.
Im not sure if it can be done. 
2nd option would be to get something like a ASUS RT-AX58U and replace the skyq stock router.

Thanks

[JPR007]

@trev7421 Can you not just get a USB adapter for the laptop the expand the number of ports? USB hard drives very rarely work well or reliably over a network, let alone allow other devices to see them, you need a NAS (network attached storage) HDD for that.

[trev7421]

@JPR007  thanks for your fast reply.

i have tried a usb splitter with limited success, the hard drive keeps connecting and disconecting from the laptop doing it that way. (loose usb port) 
i was hoping to connect it to a 2nd router so i do not need my laptop on 24/7 to watch my content and or share it with family.
I did have a NAS years ago but i have no clue what to do with it or set it up, i ended up selling it lol.
i have little knowlege of computers and alike so was hoping for a easy (ish) solution if poss.

[jamesn123]

@trev7421 
You  need a powered USB hub to use with hard drives.

[trev7421]

@jamesn123  hi James. it is a 2TB WD hard drive which is mains powered im using.
my Usb slots are both Usb 3.1 but are both loose due to kids . my 1TB usb Hdd used to work fine without an additional powered usb splitter.

[TimmyBGood]

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@trev7421 wrote:

2nd option would be to get something like a ASUS RT-AX58U and replace the skyq stock router.

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A dedicated NAS drive connected to the Sky Hub over ethernet would almost certainly be a preferable solution.

[jamesn123]

@trev7421 

Yes they will work fine in individual ports but when you try and use a USB hub it breaks out 1 usb port into however many the hub has but it shares the same power draw as one usb port so when you have multiple HDDs connected to a hub they need to be externally powered to function. 

[trev7421]

@jamesn123  i agree with what your saying but i pobably didnt explain it properly.

The 2TB Hdd that is mains powered is plugged into only 1 usb 3.1 port , nothing else is connected to that port.
my 2nd usb port has the splitter in it. connecting my mouse, laptop fan and my 1TB hdd.
the usb pots are all loose, so the slightest movement of the laptop or usb cable then everything disconnects and then reconnects, even if i had only one usb in use with my mouse.
 sorry if i confussed the situation.

[trev7421]

@TimmyBGood a NAS  server would be good but expensive and i have no idea how to use/set one up lol