P55A-UD4P: External USB3.0 keeps on disappearing using JMICRON USB3.0 Ports

[exm]

Hi,

I have a 2 Tb Samsung hard drive in a USB 3.0 enclosure. When I connect this to my P55A-UD4P motherboard using the external (JMICRON) USB3.0 back connectors, the hard disc randomly disappears, even when I/O activity (a backup) is in progress. When I connect the same enclosure to the USB2.0 ports I do not have this issue. I'm running Windows 7 64-bit and I've installed the latest drivers and BIOS.

Thank you.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

There have been a couple of similar instances in the past that have been down to a badly fitting/made cable. Usually it is that the plug isn't long enough to make a good conection.

[exm]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

There have been a couple of similar instances in the past that have been down to a badly fitting/made cable. Usually it is that the plug isn't long enough to make a good conection.

I'm using the USB3.0 cable that came with the enclosure. Why would this be an issue with USB3.0 and not with USB2.0? Any recommendation for a specific cable?

Thanks again

[Dark Mantis]

I can't recommend any specific cable but I know that it has been the problem a few times in the past on the forum. Once I seem to remember it was down to a Belkin cable another time it was the supplied cable. I think often it is the length of the insertion part of the plug.

[exm]

Ok, I will try a new cable. Meanwhile, are there are any other known issues or is there anything else I should check?

[Dark Mantis]

Nothing else I know of. Maybe someone else will have some input here but there are not many devices around yet that use  USB3 and so not very many people have had any experience of it.

[retrosole]

I am having a similar issue with the Vantec NST-D400S3 RT HDD dock. Sometimes it does detect the drives but wants to format them. The other times nothing is detected. All the HDDs I've tested are working and the Vantect dock works when plugged into USB2 ports.

exm - any luck with the new cable?

[Dark Mantis]

I am having a similar issue with the Vantec NST-D400S3 RT HDD dock. Sometimes it does detect the drives but wants to format them. The other times nothing is detected. All the HDDs I've tested are working and the Vantect dock works when plugged into USB2 ports.

exm - any luck with the new cable?

I would suggest that you try the disk in direct attachment to the computer to test it and if fine it could well be the enclosure. It will either be that or the cable.

[retrosole]

Hey Dark mantis,

I know for sure the hard drive itself is working 100%. As I've already attach it directly to my PC. I've just come across the new firmware for the Vantec dock and will give that a try. Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes it is worth updating the firmware /drivers involved and I see you were already ahead of me with checking the drive out. I must be getting predictable.

If it still fails I would expect it to be the case internals most likely. One more thing it doesn't need an external power source also does it?

[retrosole]

Still no luck. 

I've updated the hard drive dock's firmware:
http://www.vantecusa.com/front/faq/index#2

Downloaded and updated the USB 3 driver from Gigabyte:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3238&dl=1#driver

now the NEC/Reneas driver version is 2.0.30.0

I've also came across the USB 3 controller firmware update:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/14184/new_nec_usb_3_0_firmware_update_available/index.html

the firmware version is now 3021.

My BIOS is F12. Do you think updating it will help? Maybe Vantec is just not compatible with Gigabyte/NEC?

[retrosole]

Ok, I spoke too soon. It's working now!! 

Right after my last post I went digging again and I found this on Gigabyte's download page.

http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/faq-page.aspx?fid=3465

The weird thing is that this firmware is the same as the one I downloaded from tweaktown. When I ran the one from Gigabyte it told me that I already have the latest version. Nonetheless I reboot my PC and what do you know, my drives in the dock show up! I'll take it.

Thanks again for your help Mantis!

[Dark Mantis]

Glad you managed to get it working because it is a pain when you get some new gear and it fails to perform. Anyway have a nice Christmas.

[exm]

A quick update... I downloaded the drive mentioned in this thread AND installed a new cable; my issue is gone now. Not sure which part solved the issue but a big Thanks!

[Dark Mantis]

Well it could have been either but as long as the problem has been fixed.