USB 3.0 issue
When I plug a USB 3.0 Flash drive into an ss slot on my Dell computer, it freezes the computer completely. the flash drive works fine in the 2.0 ports. This appears to be fairly random - some 3.0 devices work some don't. Some do only occasionally.
I am using a Dell Optiplex 9020 if that matters. Is anybody else having this issue? has anybody found a solution to this?
I am using a Dell Optiplex 9020 if that matters. Is anybody else having this issue? has anybody found a solution to this?
gheist
Check USB power indications in system properties... Maybe usb 3 port is somehow being disadvantaged by older brothers.
try updating the usb 3 driver http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/optiplex-9020-desktop/drivers
it's under the chipset drivers - you can update the others as well!
it's under the chipset drivers - you can update the others as well!
ASKER
I did update the drivers and the BIOS as well - my suspicion is that something else is going wrong. At any rate - will continue the troubleshooting and see what I can come up with in between all the other things I need to do on this network.
you can also test if the usb 3 works ok when booted to a live cd like ubuntu, or Knoppix :
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=knoppix
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=knoppix
If the drivers are not the issue maybe its a formatting issue. Are all the USB 3 devices formatted to NTFS or FAT32? Are any of the devices being used on Macs and then trying to be used on the Dell?
ASKER
I am not using a Mac - and the drive is formatted as NTFS - which works on my WIndows 8 and windows 7 laptops flawlessly. I thing there is a hardware issue on the computer I am using.
What is the Dell computer model you have?
I missed that you already posted the model # in the OP. Sorry!
I found this. http://www0.sun.ac.za/itservices/Documents/datasheets/Dell-OptiPlex-9020-spec-sheet_Final_V2_G13001038.pdf
It sounds like there are A LOT of USB ports available! I know you said you plugged into SS USB and the non-SS USB ports work just fine. I'm wondering if when you did put the USB 3.0 flash drive into the USB 2.0 port were you prompted about connecting to a faster port?
We all seem to know that while the device will not benefit from the higher bandwidth of the USB 3.0 interface, it is still required to function properly at full USB 2.0 speeds. But there may be one exception that may be relevant to your case: compatibility is that the SuperSpeed USB B male connector is not able to interface with a USB 2.0 B female jack.
What's a solution to this exception? Buy a Dell USB 3.0 flash drive or buy a PCI Express USB 3.0 Expansion Card for your Dell that will be compatible to that flash drive. Or get the important data off of the flash drive that is causing the issue to your Dell, and avoid using it in the future. Continue use of the flash drives that do work. The latter option is easier (and cheaper) in my opinion.
Let me know if you need anything else.
o/
4 External USB 3.0 ports (2 front, 2 rear) and 6 External USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear, except USFF – 4 rear only) and 2 Internal
USB 2.0 (MT only); 1 RJ-45; 1 Serial; 1 VGA; 2 DisplayPort; 2 PS/2 (MT/SFF only); 2 Line-in (stereo/microphone), 2 Line-out
(headphone/speaker)
4 External USB 3.0 ports (2 side, 2 rear) and 4 External USB 2.0 ports; 1 RJ-45; 1 VGA; 1 HDMI; 2 PS/2; 1 Line-in (stereo/microphone),
2 Line-out (1 side for headphone/1 rear for speaker)
It sounds like there are A LOT of USB ports available! I know you said you plugged into SS USB and the non-SS USB ports work just fine. I'm wondering if when you did put the USB 3.0 flash drive into the USB 2.0 port were you prompted about connecting to a faster port?
We all seem to know that while the device will not benefit from the higher bandwidth of the USB 3.0 interface, it is still required to function properly at full USB 2.0 speeds. But there may be one exception that may be relevant to your case: compatibility is that the SuperSpeed USB B male connector is not able to interface with a USB 2.0 B female jack.
What's a solution to this exception? Buy a Dell USB 3.0 flash drive or buy a PCI Express USB 3.0 Expansion Card for your Dell that will be compatible to that flash drive. Or get the important data off of the flash drive that is causing the issue to your Dell, and avoid using it in the future. Continue use of the flash drives that do work. The latter option is easier (and cheaper) in my opinion.
Let me know if you need anything else.
o/
also - does it happen on front, or back ports of usb3 - or both?
ASKER
IT happens in any usb 3.0 port on the machine. It is not just flash drives - it is external hard drives as well.
Yes, I do get the prompt that this device will operate faster in a usb 3.0 slot when I connect it to the 2.0 slot.
Since this is under warranty, I put up with the extremely long and frequently irritating call to Dell's tech support and they are suggesting it it the motherboard (they are sending a replacement) However, I have my doubts that this will fix the problem.
Should get the replacement in a day or so - will let you know what turns up.
Yes, I do get the prompt that this device will operate faster in a usb 3.0 slot when I connect it to the 2.0 slot.
Since this is under warranty, I put up with the extremely long and frequently irritating call to Dell's tech support and they are suggesting it it the motherboard (they are sending a replacement) However, I have my doubts that this will fix the problem.
Should get the replacement in a day or so - will let you know what turns up.
Motherboard costs them 100+$ - why would they waste one if there is no problem?
ASKER
I am not Dell - I cannot answer for their motivations.
I'd say they shipped defective batch, so they are so keen on exchange....
Good luck with the replacement! :)
ASKER
Replacement of the motherboard did not fix the issue - they want to replace the entire computer (not sure how that will help as the power supply is the only part that pertains to what we are doing that has not been replaced).
Nevertheless, onward and upward
Nevertheless, onward and upward
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
While I am still not convinced that this is the reason this is not working, it is the only explanation that I can't immediately rule out. It doesn't make sense to me that this would be the case, but I am tired of trying to solve this. I am just plugging all the USB 3 devices into USB 2 slots and letting it go at that.
Unfortunately, Dell is Dell and I have never had a good experience with their products; time sinks and black holes. I'm very sorry we were not able to find a more amicable resolution, but if you have any other questions please give us a buzz, we're happy to help. :)
o/
o/