Add PCMCIA USB to Notebook?

[c206h]

My brother recently gave me an "ancient" Toshiba Portege 3110CT (Pent II, 300MHz, 192 Meg RAM, Win XP) which is perfect for my application - I use it when I fly to a remote airstrip (no phones!) to connect to the net over the Verizon Express Netwok. I have a Gomadic USB cable that connects the (only) USB port on the Toshiba to my Motorola T720 cell phone - works great! I'm able to get current weather, file flight plans, etc.

Here's the problem: As mentioned, the Toshiba has only one USB port. I got a StarTech "mini-hub" that gives me 2 ports so I can also plug a laptop mouse in. I much prefer to use the mouse rather than the pointing device on the Toshiba's keyboard. Problem is, when the mini-hub is in-line between the notebook and the Gomadic cable/cell phone, Windows XP recognizes the cell phone modem as "New Hardware" and tries to re-install it all over again! (Doesn't happen if the Gomadic cable is plugged directly into the notebook's USB port). If I try to cancel the installation, the Verizon connection is then somehow switched to the notebook's internal V.90 modem - no good!

Would a different type of "mini-hub" solve the problem? I know Belkin and others make rather compact ones for notebooks. Or, would perhaps a totally different USB port - say use a PCMCIA adapter/USB - might not cause the XP to "recognize" the phone as "New Hardware"?

Any suggestions appreciated!