Antec front USB ports don't work with 2.0 thumbdrives

[stultus]

Antec SLK2600AMB

Front USB drives worked fine with my Lexar 128 1.0 thumbdrive.

Front USB drives did not work with Sandisk 256 2.0 or Lexar 256 2.0 thumbdrives.

Both work fine in the USB ports on the motherboard, or off the USB accessory bracket that connects to the motherboard. The motherboard (Abit IS7-E) has two USB hookups (each powering two USB ports). I've swapped motherboard headers, and still, the front USB drive doesn't work for the newer thumbdrives. Anyone heard of this?

 

[metalmania]

Quite normal. Most front USB ports cannot provide enough power.

 

[CraigRT]

I thought the front panel USB ports were definitely only USB1.1
but I could be wrong.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I thought the front panel USB ports were definitely only USB1.1
but I could be wrong.

My Antec P160 can do 2.0 just fine(I'm using a 2.0 pen drive with it right now), so it's entirely possible to do.

 

[stultus]

How is this a power issue if the USB accessory bracket, plugged only to the exact same motherboard header, works fine?

Also, I don't mind using the front ports at 1.1 (though this also sounds silly given the headers) but the drive isn't recognized at all. It gives an "unrecognized device" error.

 

[jt63]

Email Antec. I had the same problem on my Performance Plus 630. The front ports would recognize a USB 1.1 device, but as soon as I plugged in my USB 2.0 thumb drive, I got the unrecognized device error. Antec mailed me a new USB module for the front ports and they've worked fine since.

 

[stultus]

Email sent! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[stultus]

I received this:

"Unfortunately the USB ports only support USB 1.1 but if you e-mail us your
shipping address we will be more then glad to send you replacement USB 2.0
ports for your SLK2600 case."

Go Antec!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: stultus
How is this a power issue if the USB accessory bracket, plugged only to the exact same motherboard header, works fine?

Also, I don't mind using the front ports at 1.1 (though this also sounds silly given the headers) but the drive isn't recognized at all. It gives an "unrecognized device" error.

Interesting. I know that USB 2.0 Hi-Speed operation, is far, far, more noise-sensitive than USB 1.1 low-speed/full-speed operation. The cables, especially longer ones that have to be run past electronic components on the mobo to the front USB ports on a case, really need to be shielded well, IMHO. I've even had problems with external USB 2.0 hubs, using shielded external cables, losing connection with the devices, etc. Then again, it could be issues with the USB 2.0 controller on the chipset too, I suppose.

I also had the same/similar problem of a "unrecognized device" problem, with my front USB, even for a USB 1.1 device. It turned out that one of the little wires for the front port had come slightly loose from the mobo headers. I suggest possibly re-checking the wiring, if you can't get any device to work in that port. Swaping the data signal +/- wires can do that too. Just don't mistakenly swap the +5v/Gnd wires with anything else, that can fry your USB devices.

 

[WobbleWobble]

This was an issue with many Antec cases recently. The case would advertise USB2.0. Even the PCB for the front-ports had USB2.0 silkscreened on it. I called Antec up and gave them my address. They shipped a few up to me for free and I'm in Canada!

It should be documented on Antec's web site but I don't think it's up there.

Other cases that are rebadged also have the same problem. But I'm not sure about how they would handle your replacement.