Asus P8Z77-V : Front panel USB3.0 ports disconnect and reconnect every few minutes

[LMF5000]

I'm posting this in the motherboard forum because I suspect it's a motherboard problem.

I just bought a USB3.0 portable hard disk. When I plug it into the back-panel USB3.0 ports (that are directly stuck to the motherboard), everything works fine.

But when I plug it into the front panel USB3.0 ports, the hard disk disconnects at random intervals every 30-40 seconds, then instantly reconnects (and windows throws up the "autorun" dialog box). I built this PC myself a month ago, and this is my first USB3.0 device. The case is a Corsair Carbide 300R. The front USB3.0 plugs (two of them) connect to the motherboard via a 20-pin USB3 header (like this).

Here's the wierd thing. If I use a USB2.0 cable and plug the hard disk into the front panel USB3.0, it works fine (albeit at USB2.0 speed) and doesn't spontaneously disconnect. Also, all USB2.0 peripherals I plug into these same front ports have been working fine all month.

Any ideas?

P.S. I tried running a disk benchmark while connected to the front usb3 port, and the speed was 110MB/s - so it is in fact getting USB3 speeds before it randomly disconnects...

 

[TriStarGod]

I honestly doubt its a motherboard issue. I think your case's front usb port is loose. I had the same situation as you are experiencing and I was able to "tighten" the usb port. Voila, no more connectivity issues. You can test my theory out by moving around the usb plug. It should have a stable connection at a certain. My second theory is you got a cheap usb3 cord.

 

[LMF5000]

I honestly doubt its a motherboard issue. I think your case's front usb port is loose. I had the same situation as you are experiencing and I was able to "tighten" the usb port. Voila, no more connectivity issues. You can test my theory out by moving around the usb plug. It should have a stable connection at a certain. My second theory is you got a cheap usb3 cord.

That's an interesting thought. I will investigate tomorrow. But what's strange is that the drive and usb3 cable that came with it work fine with the back usb3 ports, and all usb2 devices (including this hard disk using a usb2 cable) work fine on the front ports. It's the combination of front port + usb3 that is not working for more than 2 minutes at a time.

 

[TriStarGod]

Hmm, it may be due to the power output of your front ports. I know that back ports on most computers have more power than the front ones.

 

[Vinwiesel]

Hmm, it may be due to the power output of your front ports. I know that back ports on most computers have more power than the front ones.

Correct. The rear USB ports are directly on the motherboard. The front ones pass through an extension cable which adds more connections and more length causing loss of signal and power. The USB 3.0 motherboard header is a lousy design, with no latching mechanism. I had to route the cable on mine just right so that it won't unplug itself.

 

[LMF5000]

Well, I tried jiggling the motherboard connector, repositioning and so on but to no avail.

My understanding though, is that if these ports work fine in USB2 mode (when forced to due to using a USB2 cable), it can't be a loose contact - it has to be something specific to USB3 mode.

 

[uncle pop]

Hi,

I've encountered this issue. I have the same motherboard (1708 BIOS, though i do spot a new one has been released, 1805) and came across the issue whilst transferring media to an 2.5" external drive. The drive would disconnect and instantly reconnect, and only seems to do so when data is transferred. I don't know if this is the driver or something falling back speed-wise, or if its some sort of reset due to errors.

I quickly noticed the behaviour only happened on the front USB 3.0 ports, but the rear I/O Intel USB 3.0 ports were fine. I then thought it is either the short USB 3.0 cable or the internal header cable for the case. However the case is of high quality and so is the header cable. The actual ports look and feel solid too, and make snug connections with USB devices. It's also pretty securely connected to the board.

I then swapped out the cable with my friends 2.5" external drive over to one that is included with WD Elements portable (even has a sticker with part number : 4064-705084-006). This cable seems pretty thicker compared to the one with my friends drive. From many tests, it appears to resolve the problem. But it is not conclusive, because about 2 months ago, I was using this same WD cable with my WD elements drive and during a transfer (again, front panel) I noticed the drive dropped in and out during a transfer. I put it down to a bad connection and reseated the cable. With hindsight, it might have been this underlying issue with sensitivity to cable/media all along. I guess USB 3.0 is still in its infancy...

so from the above, I think it is either cable related, or possibly even down to the connectors on either end. Perhaps the WD cable makes a slightly better connection. Either that or there's a high error rate present and the WD cable is just a bit better that it doesn't lose the connection.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I have a P8Z77-V Pro, which has Intel and ASMedia USB3.0 headers. The Intel ones work great and the ASMedia ones are a nightmare.

I have a Z68 board with only ASMedia USB3s, and it's basically useless for that purpose. I've tried BIOS updates, controller firmware updates, and every driver in existence and the ASMedia ports always disconnect mid file copy.

If you can switch to Intel USB3 headers on the non-Pro model, I would try that first.

EDIT: Checking the specs for that board, I see it only has Intel headers, so I guess ASMedia's not to blame in your case.

 

[uncle pop]

Well, might have to modify the hypothesis a bit. I had my WD drive hooked into a rear Intel 3.0 port, and it happened there (disconnect/reconnect). This opens up further possibilities as the cause as I really thought enough times had been tested with the rear-ports, that they were excluded, and it was solely the front ports at fault.

A few Intel community posts suggest checking for firmware updates for the external HDDs in question. Despite there being none listed on the WD's support page, the 'WD Universal Firmware Updater' says there's an update available, taking me from 1.007 to 1.019. I've done the update and am now testing the front panel ports again - this time with the cable that i thought was the issue, as it always disconnected/reconnected.

 

[collateral]

Hi guys. I have the same problem with an Asus P8Z77-V and a Corsair 550D.
Ive tried a few different things.
First of all, I have the same problem where my front connector USB3 ports keep reconnecting with external HDDs. So far, Ive used an external power supply and still have the same problem.
Secondly, the problem does not occur when using the rear ports. (Im not sure if Ive just used the ASMedia/Intel ones, but as I understand the front ports are Intel).

Most importantly, using a USB2 cable on the front port DOES NOT replicate the problem so I think it could either be a dodgy connection (where not all the pins are making proper contact - unlikely) or a software/driver/firmware issue which I think is the problem.
Also, I must add that I had upgraded the drivers to the latest version.
Side note: Prior to a clean install, I had no problems with this exact build, the only thing I did change was installing an SSD but thats not supposed to be related.

 

[jkauff]

The header connector on the motherboard is pretty flimsy. Because the cable is always in the way, it's easy to dislodge it when you're working inside the case, which will often damage the connector (I broke the one on my P8Z77-V LX that way). Get in there with a flashlight and make sure a pin isn't bent or broken.

 

[figit090]

Has anyone found a solution to this?

I'm not sure what I did but now my 3tb HGST touro pro will no longer stay connected most of the time. sometimes I get successful transfers of 100gb and other times halfway through or even two files into a 75gb transfer it disconnects!

I've tried updating the asmedia chip, new drivers from asus, newer driver than that from station-drivers.com, and nothing works.

Yesterday the ports on the top of the motherboard (back panel) were working great, now nothing! The bottom ports now work.... I don't know what's going on it seems completely random and I need help really badly.

I've spent two days troubleshooting this i'm loosing hope.

I just plugged in a drive and I got the disconnect sound, but then nothing?

 

[jcniest5]

I am experiencing this same issue on whatever USB 3.0 capable motherboards I have come across. Basically, all of them. The front USB 3.0 ports are acting the same way. They have been on a few different cases, too, so case quality isn't the problem. I've narrowed it down to signal strength on the wires. Perhaps the USB 3.0 wires should be bigger gauge to prevent this signal quality loss. USB 2.0, not a problem. You've got me.

 

[figit090]

I am experiencing this same issue on whatever USB 3.0 capable motherboards I have come across. Basically, all of them. The front USB 3.0 ports are acting the same way. They have been on a few different cases, too, so case quality isn't the problem. I've narrowed it down to signal strength on the wires. Perhaps the USB 3.0 wires should be bigger gauge to prevent this signal quality loss. USB 2.0, not a problem. You've got me.

I don't think I have a cable issue, but perhaps.

My asmedia ports on the top of my motherboard show NO signs of life now, the front case 3.0 ports disconnect during transfer, and the lower 3.0 ports (intel?) also have disconnection issues...

Lots of moving the cable does not change the transfer when it is working, and as I type this it disconnected without me touching it.

 

[jcniest5]

I wonder if you can try a flash drive (not HD/SSD) and see if you can replicate the problem. It seems the 5V wire doesn't hold, or something. When it loses the 5V for whatever reason, the drive has no power so it acts like it's disconnected. That's my belief. It could be something completely different.

 

[Mem]

I have an Asus z68 V/gen3 board and purchased a cheap front USB 3.0 port panel which works fine with my onboard USB 3.0 asmedia ports,have you tried the obvious ie a replacement or different front panel incase yours is fautly?


You might want to check you have latest firmware also for your USB chipset.


Btw I hope you have a quality PSU as well,cheap ones can cause issues.

 

[figit090]

Little update on my end:

Looks like no driver update helps and firmware updating doesn't help either.
Fresh bios and reflashing to old bios doesn't help
fresh windows install doesn't help
Fresh linux live boot doesn't help (mint)

The rear ports at the top of my board (asmedia I think) show no data life what-so-ever but DO have power (usb fan works)

Nothing usb 2.0 nor 3.0 works in those two ports.

My intel ports are sporatic at best, disconnecting halfway through transfers. I am unsure if this is the port or the drive...and I was going to test the drive on a friend's computer but I don't want to risk his ports if there is a chance my drive is damaging usb ports. (doubtful I hope??)

Sadly for me it looks like ANOTHER RMA...I'm running a refurbed board at the moment already.

I wonder if asus will give me a new one if I ask...and if not...if I demand

I'm now forced back into usb 2.0 until I have time to RMA this motherboard.:thumbsdown:

 

[collateral]

Just came in to update.

Still having the same problem but not with USB3 flash drives (maybe I havent plugged them in long enough, I dunno)

I just wanted to ask if the front panel USB 3 was Asmedia or Intel controlled?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I have a P8Z77-V Pro, which has Intel and ASMedia USB3.0 headers. The Intel ones work great and the ASMedia ones are a nightmare.

I have a Z68 board with only ASMedia USB3s, and it's basically useless for that purpose. I've tried BIOS updates, controller firmware updates, and every driver in existence and the ASMedia ports always disconnect mid file copy.

If you can switch to Intel USB3 headers on the non-Pro model, I would try that first.

EDIT: Checking the specs for that board, I see it only has Intel headers, so I guess ASMedia's not to blame in your case.

Can't read all the posts about this, but your assessment of the P8Z68 and P8Z77 seems consistent with my experience. If I didn't say so here or elsewhere, folks should just disable features they don't NEED to use, like Silly-Image eSATA controller, Asmedia USB3 and Marvel SATA. Start "simple." If the problem disappeared (as it did with me), you could try re-enabling Asmedia USB3.0. But you could also get a $25 Hoo-Too PCI-E card and stick it in an available slot -- could require x4, but it might be x1.

You shouldn't need either of the two extra controllers that have been used on some of these boards (my reference is P8Z68-V Pro). The main Intel onboard controller should suffice for eSata, just by hooking it up to the case. For a second port, you'd spend less than $10 to obtain a PCI plate with the eSATA port -- whatever it takes, it's chump change. If someone has that many storage devices inside their computer to use all the "extras," they need a second computer for the storage, they need a dedicated PCI-E SATA/RAID card, or they need a server.

Back to Asmedia USB-3.0. I had rigged the board's 20-pin cable to fit a USB3.0 A-B cable with the B end in a front-panel 3.5" USB3 controller. Device Manager kept showing a yellow-bang node and message "insufficient resources for this device to work properly." Hoo-Too works fine, cabled to a front-panel USb3 hub (without the cable-patch-kloodge). Plus -- two rear ports.

 

[collateral]

Just came in to update.

Still having the same problem but not with USB3 flash drives (maybe I havent plugged them in long enough, I dunno)

I just wanted to ask if the front panel USB 3 was Asmedia or Intel controlled?

Just came back to say that I did some digging and the front USB 3 ports are under the Intel controller. The top 2 on the rear panel are Asmedia and the bottom 2 are also Intel (I think). I will check to make sure and confirm.

Now, I think the problem appears to be a poor connection in the front USB as I tried using my external HDD on all 3 types of ports.

Rear Asmedia: Worked fine - no issues
Rear Intel: Worked fine - no issues
Front USB (Left): disconnected/reconnected
Front USB (Right): seemed to work fine (only tested it for an hour)

I have a 550D (If I havent mentioned) and the USB seems OK, I mean both work fine when using flash drives - I dont know why it throws a fit when I plug in the HDD. I will try a different cable and probably get a new front panel from Corsair and report back.


Wanted to add: I have been using the drivers from the Asus CD for both Intel and Asmedia controllers. Havent changed the firmware or bios (0704 still). I did use the latest drivers but I dont really know if that had an impact (Im guessing not since the rear Intel ports were working fine all this time).
I did a HD Tune scan on 2 hard drives (820gb total) which lasted around 4 hours

 

[collateral]

Double post

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

How does an HD tune scan last 4 hours?

I had 2 60GB intel 520 Cherryvilles in Rad O