GA-X58A-UD7 rev.1 - external 2,5 drive on USB

[mariokil]

Hi Guys,

I created new topic because can't find any answer on my question or problem.
My configuration:
MB - GA-x58a-ud7 rev.1
CPU - Intel i7 930
GPU - GTX 470 Gigabyte
SSD Patriot + 2x WD Black Caviar
Bequiet - dark Power 750 W
Windows 7 64 bit
Issue:
I'm trying to connect external disk 2,5" via USB port but it looks that voltyage (?) is too low to start disk even if I use Y USB cable. I tried on all available port also USB 3. Mentioned disk works fine with other hardware notebooks and desktops (checked on 6 devices)
1) I checked with other psu (anteq 550 W) and gt8800 - not works.
2) I installed newest drivers and tools - not works

I connect external drive via external active USB hub and it disk works.
What is your opinion. Is it general problem with ud7 series or or only my individual.

Sorry for my english.

Mariokil

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Mariokil, This is not a problem that I have seen before on here. It should be simple enough and the board should provide more power than usual especially through the USB3 ports. I am using the exact same board myself but I only have a 1Tb 3.5 drive on an external USB connection but of course that is powered from the mains. It should run a2.5" drive easilly. I am afraid that I can't think waht the problem might be straight away. I will have to come back to you on this.

[onemilimeter]

I think the OP's problem may be similar to mine as described in this thread. The problem could be due to the USB Y-Cable is not fully complied to USB2.0 standard. In my case, one cable does not work, but when the WD Passport 250GB is connected to the USB port using another cable it works perfectly.

[Dark Mantis]

I would have to agree with onemilimeter, it must be something simple like the lead because I can find no other reason for the drive not to receive enough power to work  from the USB port.

[mariokil]

Hi Guys,

I think that is not a Y cable problem. I used this same disk and cable with other devices and it works so why doesnt work with ud7 ?

[Dark Mantis]

Can you test the USB ports on your motherboard with something else just to see if they are indeed working?

[onemilimeter]

Hi Guys,
I think that is not a Y cable problem. I used this same disk and cable with other devices and it works so why doesnt work with ud7 ?

Hi...

Very similar to the problem in my case. I got a cable which works with other devices but when it's used with my UD3R, the WD Passport 250GB does not work. My initial guesses:

[1] The "USB transceiver" of UD3R (or may be now X58/X58A in general since the similar problem you reported with UD7) is slightly inferior;

[2] The quality of the sent/received USB data signal is slightly degraded due to the interference of the electrical noise generated by the surrounding on-board circuitries. I'm saying this because, if my memory serves me well, there have been few reports on the "noise" problem of X58 motherboard's USB ports.

If my guess is correct, then we do not have many options. RMA, refund, or try to get a decent USB Y-Cable to preserve the "quality" of the data during transmission.

P/S: Gigabyte says the "2 oz Copper PCB" will improve signal quality... does it really improve the signal integrity of the motherboard? We've heard various complaints about electrical/non-electrical "noise" of these boards.


Let's say Cable-A has better transmission efficiency than Cable-B. I think the transmission efficiency is inversed proportional to the transmission rate. Assume that a digital signal of "1" is considered a VALID "1" if the voltage is higher than 3.8V. My guess [2] described above are illustrated below:

[mariokil]

Hi Guys,

I tested USB port with other equipments:
- usb mouse
- usb keyboard
- card reader
- camcorder (download movies from camera)
- WiFi dlink

all works fine even USB hub (active)
I checked all USB ports also 3.0

[Dark Mantis]

In that case it sounds like the USB ports are fine. Which brings us back to the cable or drive. I think the next step would be to try a different cable. Maybe it is just not making contact properly with the power lines inside the USB ports?

[onemilimeter]

Hi Guys,

I tested USB port with other equipments:
- usb mouse
- usb keyboard
- card reader
- camcorder (download movies from camera)
- WiFi dlink

all works fine even USB hub (active)
I checked all USB ports also 3.0

Please note that the data transmission rate of those devices (e.g. USB mouse and keyboard) is very low, and thus the transmission tends to be less lossy. By the way, what's model of your "DLink Wifi" and the portable HDD? Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

I have just been looking through my manual for the USB settings and noticed the USB Storage Function. It should be set to enabled to allow the detection of USB hard drives and flash drives during POST. Worth checking.

[onemilimeter]

I have just been looking through my manual for the USB settings and noticed the USB Storage Function. It should be set to enabled to allow the detection of USB hard drives and flash drives during POST. Worth checking.

Interesting... I've never known about that feature... It's worth a trial...

[mariokil]

Please note that the data transmission rate of those devices (e.g. USB mouse and keyboard) is very low, and thus the transmission tends to be less lossy. By the way, what's model of your portable HDD? Thanks.

 Hi,
I checked with two Seagate models. I don't remember model. I'll give an answer at evening with model info.

[mariokil]

Hi,
as I promised below is an information about disk:
- Seagate Momentus st950042
- Seagate st932042

[Dark Mantis]

The only thing that stands out about the drive is that it's a more power hungry drive than normal as it is 7200rpm as oppposed to most 2.5" which are 5400rpm.