[Windows 8] USB 3 and self powered HDDs...

djkav · 26 May 2013 at 10:42

Is there a problem with Windows 8 USB 3 and portable HDDs.

I have a 1tb self powered HDD connected to USB 3. It just randomly keeps connecting and disconnecting. I can't manage to copy a single file.

If I plug it into the USB 2 ports, no problems. I can copy what I want and it stays connected.

Anyone had similar happen?

quickshot89 · 26 May 2013 at 10:58

Check the USB3 driver, but grab it from the manufacturer

Vimes · 26 May 2013 at 11:03

USB 3 in general has been hit and miss for me. Using Windows 7 or 8 it doesn't matter, in terms of reliability.
What makes it a little better is which port I place my USB 3 HD's into, I have Hitachi,Toshiba and Samsung USB 3 HD's and some are better than others at being recognised and then in maintaining the connection.
The back ports on my board seem better and the front headers can be a little iffy, although they seem ok with USB 3 sticks and SD card readers.
This is using either the Z77 D3H or UD5H motherboard, as I have both set up in systems.
I have tried various drivers etc and it is only through trial and error that I get to know which port suits which drive.
It can be worse if I have used S3 sleep.

For me it is no longer a major issue due to understanding where to plug what.

From what I have read it can be quite common depending what you have and where you wish to plug it.

As you have noted USB 2 works a treat.

EDIT: Actually I did remember hacking the Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller drivers to install under Windows 8 and they seemed to improve things.

this_is_gav · 26 May 2013 at 11:52

Is the USB 3 ports at the front of the PC, connected to the motherboard by a cable, with the USB 2 ports being at the back, soldered onto the motherboard?

If so, the problem will be power being lost over the length of the cable, the reason USB-powered portable hard drives have short cables. Add a cable between the motherboard and the case and you've probably tripled or quadrupled the length of that cable.

djkav · 26 May 2013 at 12:37

this_is_gav said:
Is the USB 3 ports at the front of the PC, connected to the motherboard by a cable, with the USB 2 ports being at the back, soldered onto the motherboard?

Both the USB 3 and USB 2 are all next to each other on the front panel. Not tried any rear ports yet. I'm using the 45cm cable.

The HDD which is a Hitachi Touro 1tb works fine with a 1m USB 3 cable from the front panel USB 2.

I'll try the rear ports soon.

EDIT: I think I may have sorted it now. Hooked it up to the rear and its staying connected at USB 3 speeds. Maybe the front panel doesn't supply enough power, compared to the hard wired rear ports.