This is another issue I've been working on with Intel for the past several weeks. In another discussion, I posted about issues I was having with the USB 3.0 ports not working properly with USB 2.0 devices. You can see that thread here:
http://communities.intel.com/message/138282
After posting that discussion, I RMA'd my board (version -305) and received a new board (version -306).
The USB 3.0 port / USB 2.0 device issue still exists on the -306 version of the board. IN ADDITION, the USB 3.0 ports on the DP67BG board (at least the -306 version) do not work properly with USB 3.0 External Hard Drives when a BIOS version newer than 1900 is used. I've done extensive testing on this issue -- you can see some of that here in Post #29 of this discussion thread:
http://communities.intel.com/thread/24668?start=15&tstart=0
Since that posting I've done additional testing and follow-up with Intel.
Intel has replicated and confirmed the issue of USB 3.0 ports and USB 3.0 external hard drives not working properly on the -306 version of the board. It may or may not be an issue on the -305 version.
I'm being careful and limiting my statement to USB 3.0 external hard drives because those are the only USB 3.0 devices both Intel and I have been testing with.
Currently, it's in the hands of Intel design engineers to try to figure out root cause. In summary here's what's going on:
- USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices on USB 3.0 ports don't have issues when used under BIOS 1900 and 1979.
- USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices on USB 3.0 ports don't have issues when used under BIOS 2040 and MSConfig Diagnostic Mode.
- USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices on USB 3.0 ports almost always have issues under all other conditions.
I'm posting this because I can't believe that I'm the only one that has encountered this problem. Is anyone using the USB 3.0 ports on this board with USB 3.0 external hard drives? If so, please post your experiences and include board version. Thanks.
P.S. Here's a summary of a recent series of tests I did per Intel's direction. We were attempting to see if processor C-states were the cause. It turned out they were not. What it does illustrate, however, is that sometimes you can use the drives with no issues, but more often that not, the USB 3.0 port "freezes" -- see Post # 29 of this discussion thread ( http://communities.intel.com/thread/24668?start=15&tstart=0 )
for more detail on what is meant by "freezing":
| Most Recent Test of USB 3.0 Devices on USB 3.0 Ports w/ Processor C-States Disabled |
|---|
| BIOS: 2040 BIOS Settings: All default settings EXCEPT C-States were disabled. USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver: 2.1.19.0 Ext. HD's used in Testing: 500GB USB 3.0 Western Digital My Passport Essential 500GB USB 3.0 Toshiba Canvio File Group 1 description: 27.2 GB total; 55,554 files, 5,132 folders -- wide range of file types and sizes I didn't even bother testing a USB 2.0 drive on a USB 3.0 port since the USB 3.0 were failing. Here's a summary of tests conducted:
Re-imaged the HD with a fresh Win 7 images (SP1 + all MS Updates through 9/14/2011) Attempt 1: Copy file Group 1 from internal HD to external WD drive Result: USB 3.0 port froze Power down system and restart Attempt 2: Copy file Group 1 from internal HD to external WD drive Result: USB 3.0 port froze Power down and restart Attempt 3: Copy file Group 1 from internal HD to external WD drive Result: No Issues Attempt 4: Copy file Group 1 from external WD drive to internal HD Result: No Issues Power down and restart Attempt 5: Copy file Group 1 from internal HD to external WD drive Result: USB 3.0 port froze Power down and restart Attempt 6: Copy file Group 1 from external Toshiba HD to internal HD Result: USB 3.0 port froze Power down and restart Attempt 7: Copy file Group 1 from internal HD to external Toshiba HD Result: USB 3.0 port froze |