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Question

USB 3.0 Expansion Card Install problem

by Nov 2, 2012 1:48PM PDT

Install a PCIe 3.0 USB expansion card. The card only has a 20 pin internal connector. Every thing look good in the device manager. When plug a multi port memory card reader to the twenty pin connector the computer continually makes a sound you get when your plug in a USB device. In the device manager I can see drive letters appearing and disappearing with each sound being made. It makes no difference if I plug a SD or Compact flash card in to the reader. The sound just continues as the drive letters come and go in the device manager in the USB section.

Items purchased at Newegg. Returned items and Newegg replaced both items, so this is the second try at installing a 3.0 memory card reader.

Any ideas on how to correct this?
Windows 7 64 bit
MSI motherboard 790x-G45
AMD processor
4 gb ram

Rosewill SuperSpeed Memory Card Reader

Koutech Dual Channel USB 3.0 PCI Express Card w/ USB3 ICC & 15-pin SATA Power Connector Model IO-PEU235

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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Answer
Sad to see this fail again.
by Former Forum moderator Nov 2, 2012 4:22PM PDT

If you've been tracking USB 3.0 it's not that easy to get it working. Some machines need BIOS and drivers. You'll have to work with your machine's maker to sort that out.
Bob

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Answer
USB 3.0 doesn't work reliableably
by Nov 2, 2012 7:48PM PDT

I agree with Robert as the mtrbd. maybe lacking in some way. Also, this mtrbd. is now a dated one, any support forthcoming is limited. Add to that its a Rosewill product and a complex one at that, could be trouble on that alone. I suggest you try another PCIe port or swap around if already populated.

tada -----Willy Happy

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USB 3.0 all around?
by Willy Nov 2, 2012 8:19PM PDT

The popping in/out of the memory media could be related to power. Even though this has SATA connection, reviewing some of the review posts offers if you installed just to connect the power lead(short leads, use extension), try that other slot as the mtrbd. specs offer is 3.3/5V available on top of any SATA connection, it maybe what it needs. Another review post offers it found it incompatible as it clashed with some other device. Be sure to use the driver disc. If this doesn't fix it, try another brand. I assume the USB device reader is also 3.0.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Thank you for the help guys
by 911TargaRed Nov 3, 2012 1:23AM PDT

I will try another slot today and check the power cable connections again. I have the power cable coming directly from the power supply. Is this the preferred/ only way to power the expansion board? The power supply is an OCZ ModXstream-Pro 700 watt.

What are the ramifications of not attaching power to the expansion board?

If all else fails with the expansion board, I purchased an Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0 motherboard with USB 3.0 and it has the 20 pin connector on the motherboard. I just hated to change out the motherboard for this USB card reader issue. The reason for this whole thing is to be able to transfer images faster from a new 36 megapixel nikon camera that shots stills and video. Each images is 40 megs or so and the video files get in the gig range very quickly.

Thank you for being so gracious with your time.

Pete
Nederland, Texas

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I missed the power cable issue.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Nov 3, 2012 1:31AM PDT

If you don't connect the power, I can't guess exactly what should happen other than it should not work.

Again, if you've been following USB 3.0 stories such over at Dell forums you see that many versions of the drivers were issued and still some folk had issues. It feels like the old USB 2.0 story. Took awhile for hardware and drivers to catch up.

Bob

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Do what it takes, I'm afraid...
by Willy Nov 3, 2012 2:47AM PDT

You definitively need to attach the SATA power lead. I made mention of it because for other users that SATA connection was difficult because it couldn't be reached or more effort in order to do so. If there is cable strain it may pull off or simply not be a full contact. if that's the case, buy a SATA extension lead or convert a Molex type to SATA type which in many cases are generally available(un-used) and longer.

Sorry, if this seems overall, hit and miss but USB 3.0 doesn't work for everyone because of all the various h/w combos, toxic or cheap h/w out there. Those that have issues complain but the fix maybe more than a simple cure, as such. The variables are just there and may not be overcomed until money is thrown at it. Which is why i mentioned to try another brand USB 3.0 card. Just make note of IC chip on-board that makes USB 3.0 possible.

good luck -----Willy Happy

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