USB3.0 is flawed? Never seems to work properly.

I experience the following annoying problems with USB3.0:

When I plug in a USB 3.0 device, one of my other plugged USB 2.0 devices will disconnect/fail. That was with my old laptop (ASUS N71JQ)... I have a new PC today (Brix GB-BXBT-2807) and I was really looking forward to leaving the problems behind. However, this new PC has similar/same USB 3.0 problems; when I connect a USB 3.0 device to the USB 3.0 port, WiFi usually drops out completely. It is as if the system does not have enough power (?) to run a USB 3.0 device and the WiFi card simultaneously?

It is not just one USB 3.0 device I have tried; I have a USB 3.0 external powered 2TB Seagate hard drive, and a USB 3.0 Flash drive (32BG KingMax). Both give the same problems.

Is USB 3.0 simply not fit for purpose???

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Is there a power profile setting? If so I would try Performance Profile if that is not already the default.

Also in Device Manager see if the USB has any option set to "allow to be shut off to save power" or words to that effect.

MilesAhead said:

Is there a power profile setting? If so I would try Performance Profile if that is not already the default.

Also in Device Manager see if the USB has any option set to "allow to be shut off to save power" or words to that effect.

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Thanks for the advice but yes, I have already set those options. They don't appear to have helped.

I would be just guessing ,but I would say its a power issue giving the small box computer you are using ,cnt find a listing on the power supply they are using but the whole box is not much bigger than a standard tower power supply .
I would venture to guess it by design ,part of power management ,so the system don't crash or over heat .

is this what you are using
Gigabyte Brix GB BXBT 2807 Desktop Computer Intel Celeron N2807 GBBXBT2807 | eBay

just found psu info . it is ,
APD110/220 to 12V AC ,30 watt ,adapterWA-30B12R0-AAAC

from gigabyte site
GIGABYTE - Desktop PC - Mini-PC Barebone - GB-BXBT-2807 (rev. 1.0)#

Yes that's what I'm using. You're saying it might be by design - that would be terrible design, surely. I mean, if the system can't power/operate all of its USB ports adequately, why have them? Why give the end user an experience where basic functions randomly bomb out with no explanation? Questions for Gigabyte perhaps. All I have plugged into USB is a mouse and keyboard (there is no PS2 sockets), and now I'm adding a USB flash drive to copy some files over - this is a pretty typical setup surely!

But as I say, I had similar problems with my last machine (a laptop). So I just wonder if whoever is responsible for setting PC (ATX?) standards has made some kind of dire mistake?? Surely not but this is my ongoing, frustrating experience with USB 3.0.

Just for comparison sake, my USB 3.0 works fine. The problem seems to be a design issue on some systems.

RowanX said:

Yes that's what I'm using. You're saying it might be by design - that would be terrible design, surely. I mean, if the system can't power/operate all of its USB ports adequately, why have them? Why give the end user an experience where basic functions randomly bomb out with no explanation? Questions for Gigabyte perhaps. All I have plugged into USB is a mouse and keyboard (there is no PS2 sockets), and now I'm adding a USB flash drive to copy some files over - this is a pretty typical setup surely!

But as I say, I had similar problems with my last machine (a laptop). So I just wonder if whoever is responsible for setting PC (ATX?) standards has made some kind of dire mistake?? Surely not but this is my ongoing, frustrating experience with USB 3.0.

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Yes I have to say my Asus G75VW had the same issues, I was able to solve the issue for the right side ports by uninstalling Asus Charger Pluse. the left side ports are unreliable for USB 3.0 they are on a Daughter board that for some reason does not make a good connecton I have always thought it was a power to the ports issue. I have solved the problem but no the issue Oh and my power block is 180watts. I solve the problem buy using a right hand USB 3.0 Cable extender and using a 4 port Powered USB Hub. the issue of the left two ports remains through the latest Version of the G series notebooks. I have a 2009 manufactured MB on this computer with USB 3.0 with only 2 USB 3.0 ports I have no issues with these two port since installing windows 8.1 I also use Hub with these ports. Sounds like your having some really bad luck with the computers your purchasing

Thanks for your input guys.

I read reviews for my ASUS laptop, and watched Youtube reviews for the Brix before buying... none mentioned USB3.0 problems. I'm tempted to send this Brix back for a refund now, apart from the fact that I can't be without a PC for the next few weeks due to some important work I'm doing (well, important to me).

I'd like to buy a PC for which all of the advertised features actually work, lol, I know I'm asking a bit much. Maybe the Intel NUC would be better than this Brix then, for a small form factor PC. I was put off the NUC due to a fan though, Brix is dead silent which is great, acoustically speaking.

RowanX said:

Thanks for your input guys.

I read reviews for my ASUS laptop, and watched Youtube reviews for the Brix before buying... none mentioned USB3.0 problems. I'm tempted to send this Brix back for a refund now, apart from the fact that I can't be without a PC for the next few weeks due to some important work I'm doing (well, important to me).

I'd like to buy a PC for which all of the advertised features actually work, lol, I know I'm asking a bit much. Maybe the Intel NUC would be better than this Brix then, for a small form factor PC. I was put off the NUC due to a fan though, Brix is dead silent which is great, acoustically speaking.

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Sorry I can't speak to other models but its pretty common with the Gaming models but only on the left side ports the right side ports don't seem to be effected. You might want to look back in forum to 2012 most of these issues were worked out back then with Win 7 and Intel drivers. Since Window 8 I haven't seen that many issues the native windows usb 3.0 driver seems to work pretty well for most of us.

Search Results for Query: USB 3.0 issues | NotebookReview[node]=1087 This is a search result in Asus Gaming computers I don't know about other models but I'l bet that a search on the issue any brand will present the issues other have had and how they fixed it or worked around it. The issue is really about your computer rather than windows 8

Three things o consider...

1 - Are you using an actual USB 3.0 cable
2 - Sometimes too long a cable can cause issues - especially if it's required to provide power.
3 - Perhaps switching cables can help

RowanX said:

Yes that's what I'm using. You're saying it might be by design - that would be terrible design, surely. I mean, if the system can't power/operate all of its USB ports adequately, why have them? Why give the end user an experience where basic functions randomly bomb out with no explanation? Questions for Gigabyte perhaps. All I have plugged into USB is a mouse and keyboard (there is no PS2 sockets), and now I'm adding a USB flash drive to copy some files over - this is a pretty typical setup surely!

But as I say, I had similar problems with my last machine (a laptop). So I just wonder if whoever is responsible for setting PC (ATX?) standards has made some kind of dire mistake?? Surely not but this is my ongoing, frustrating experience with USB 3.0.

Click to expand...

some builder add features just to make the item more appealing to some people ,it may not be by designe ,but it just might bethe only way it will work .
my computer has a 550W psu as a lot do ,your has 30Wpsu ,a very important feature in a power supply is Wattage

also not to criticize you device ,but I will say that at under 175.00$ you got what you paid for ,its not much more that a TV media box ,and the usb 3 plug was like for connection a usb3 thumdrive with video and picture and stuff to view onto a monitor or TV ,just my opinion

sygnus21 said:

Three things o consider...

1 - Are you using an actual USB 3.0 cable
2 - Sometimes too long a cable can cause issues - especially if it's required to provide power.
3 - Perhaps switching cables can help

Click to expand...

As per my original post, I am using a USB flash drive, i.e. there is no cable. I'm also trying a USB hard drive - yes it has a USB 3 cable, a very short one that came with the product.

caperjack said:

some builder add features just to make the item more appealing to some people ,it may not be by designe ,but it just might bethe only way it will work .
my computer has a 550W psu as a lot do ,your has 30Wpsu ,a very important feature in a power supply is Wattage

also not to criticize you device ,but I will say that at under 175.00$ you got what you paid for ,its not much more that a TV media box ,and the usb 3 plug was like for connection a usb3 thumdrive with video and picture and stuff to view onto a monitor or TV ,just my opinion

Click to expand...

I know the Brix is a cheap product, but still I would expect it to work out-of-the-box. A cheap PC should just be less powerful (the CPU/graphics that is), not defective, surely. My ASUS laptop was not a cheap one, it was about 8x the cost of the Brix if I remember correctly - quite premium at the time with its bluray drive, USB3 port etc. A pricey laptop and still USB3.0 didn't work properly.

Not sure if this has been said, but ensure you have the latest drivers from Gigabyte/ASUS (whichever you have) for windows 8.1. I wonder if they hid some drivers in their utilities programs, as I've heard it said that this has happened before. If I were you, I wouldn't trust any driver updates through windows, as I've experienced them getting it wrong. Also update the BIOS, as that may be very important to your problem.

If you need help, just ask!

DustSailor said:

Not sure if this has been said, but ensure you have the latest drivers from Gigabyte/ASUS (whichever you have) for windows 8.1. I wonder if they hid some drivers in their utilities programs, as I've heard it said that this has happened before. If I were you, I wouldn't trust any driver updates through windows, as I've experienced them getting it wrong. Also update the BIOS, as that may be very important to your problem.

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I am using latest BIOS and latest drivers (from Gigabyte directly), thanks.

On my old laptop WindowsUpdate was already trying to push an update for my WiFi card which would kill it.. I am weary of that sort of thing already.

Although more of a workaround than a solution.. I do wonder if wired keyboard and wired mouse would draw less power than the wireless ones I'm using now? That might give USB3 port and the WiFi less chance of dropping out (?), if this is in fact power issue.

wireless and wired keyboards/mice draw very little power. It might be a short somewhere, but I don't know honestly because I haven't ever encountered such a problem. You should contact Gigabyte probably, as they might know of any board problems or fixes. Don't think there is anything we can do on this end, but I could be very wrong here. Best of luck though!

If a design problem, I doubt they will admit it. Would basically require a recall of all systems.

all in all its a neat little pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNEaDt27De4

caperjack said:

all in all its a neat little pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNEaDt27De4

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I've looked at these little boxes before. They are pretty cool but I wouldn't expect them to perform like a basic desktop or even a basic laptop. Could be wrong, have been before.

popeye said:

caperjack said:

all in all its a neat little pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNEaDt27De4

Click to expand...

I've looked at these little boxes before. They are pretty cool but I wouldn't expect them to perform like a basic desktop or even a basic laptop. Could be wrong, have been before.

Click to expand...

I post that link so we all knew what device the op was having usb3 issues with ,it only has a 30w psu, that maybe all it needs to run multiple usb devices ,plus everything else ,I guess ,I watched one youtube video and the guy gave it a good rating ,he didn't mention the usb3 though