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    Is USB 3 working?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by gman901, Sep 16, 2011.

  1. gman901

    gman901 Notebook Consultant

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    Right out of the factory box, I noticed some quirky issues with my USB 3 ports that I am not sure is normal or malfunctioning? First, when I connect my Razer Orochi mouse while another USB 3.0 hd is connected, the Razer just shuts off after a short while. Now, the same Razer works fine on the left side of the m11x, but once again shuts down when connected to either USB 3 port. Finally, my xbox 360 wireless receiver is not even recognized when connected but works flawlessly on the left side. I know that my USB 3 ports work because the system device properties state they work properly. Also, my Seagate Goflex HD USB 3.0 seems to work fine, although I only get 40 MB/sec write speed.

    Does anyone have any ideas what could possibly be wrong with my USB 3.0 ports or is this completely normal? I really thought that USB 3 was backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices. What can I do to fix them to work correctly?
     
    gman901, Sep 16, 2011
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  2. DeeVu

    DeeVu That Compsci/Psych Major

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    I don't have these issues. My issue is when I plug a USB 3.0 compatible device such as a flash drive into the USB 3.0 port it says something along the lines of "your USB device will perform better in a Superspeed (USB 3.0) port."

    Two things:
    1) It is in the Superspeed port
    2) I have the drivers installed for USB 3.0
     
    DeeVu, Sep 16, 2011
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  3. gman901

    gman901 Notebook Consultant

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    Should I try reinstalling the drivers?
     
    gman901, Sep 16, 2011
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  4. gman901

    gman901 Notebook Consultant

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    Okay, I think I found my answer. I went to Razer's site and found an article stating to make sure the port isn't set to go into hibernation mode. I can't verify that is the issue because I am away from my M11x, but that sounds like what may be happening here.
     
    gman901, Sep 16, 2011
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  5. DeeVu

    DeeVu That Compsci/Psych Major

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    Sounds plausible. :) good luck.
     
    DeeVu, Sep 16, 2011
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  6. gman901

    gman901 Notebook Consultant

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    So far so good! I unchecked the root hubs for the usb controllers to "not" allow the system to shut down the ports to save power. Now everything seems to be working fine! I am not sure why the settings have a default setting in turning these off. It doesn't make sense why anyone would want their usb to just cut off.
     
    gman901, Sep 16, 2011
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  7. sasquatchimo

    sasquatchimo Notebook Guru

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    It has to do with conserving battery power I think. It's a little strange there isn't a auto-detect for AC power involved.

    Btw, where are you finding these settings? I had some wonky results with my USB port when using my notebook cooler's fans plugged into the USB port and I want to see if this solves it.
     
    sasquatchimo, Sep 17, 2011
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  8. gman901

    gman901 Notebook Consultant

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    Here you go:


    Q: Sometimes my Razer product does not work at startup after a cold start?
    A: Make sure your ports are not going into hibernation mode. Check the following:
    - Right click on the My Computer icon and choose Properties.
    - Click on the Hardware tab.
    - Click the Device Manager button.
    - Click on the + sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
    - Right click on any Root Hub and choose Properties.
    - Click the Power Management tab and make sure there is NO CHECK in "Allow computer to turn off this device to save power"
    - Click the OK button and do this for each Root Hub.
    - Next, click on Start and Control Panel.
    - Double click on Power Options.
    - Click the Hibernation Tab and uncheck Enable hibernate support.
     
    gman901, Sep 17, 2011
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