USB 3 device not connecting correctly

Aww167 · 20 Dec 2014

I have 2 x Verbatim 1TB portable USB 3.0 drives which are plugged into 2 of the available 6 x USB 3.0 sockets on my ASUS Z87 Pro mobo. These sockets are on the mobo rear panel connectors and are verifiably usb 3.0, as are the devices plugged into them ( blue connector on socket and plug, SS logo on connector plug).
Ever since I have had these drives, the system continually tells me they would 'perform better if connected to USB 3 sockets', and having tested them using various software utilities, am finding they are operating at USB 2.0 speeds (17-18mb/sec).
Looking in device manager, via the 'view devices by connection' menu, they are configured to USB generic hub. Using USB Tree View software, they are connected to USB generic hub and none of the available USB 3.0 ports are occupied at all.
I'm finding this quite exasperating and despite scouring various forums and sites, am no closer to understanding the problem or finding a solution.
If anyone can cast light on this issue, I would be very happy indeed.
Thanks

ICIT2LOL · 20 Dec 2014

Hello and welcome Aww two things come to mind a) those drives are not what thy are cracked up to be and b) you might if you haven't already updated the drivers for the USB ports (3.0) Motherboards - Z87-PRO - ASUS

Now it is generally accepted that 3.0 ports and any device connected to them do not run that much faster than 2.0 in any case so the drivers and see what happens.

Aww167 · 20 Dec 2014

Hi ICit2lol,
Thanks for the reply. I have wondered if the drives are really up to scratch, and I have already uninstalled, re-installed and updated all my usb drivers, including updating BIOS and firmware. This does still leave one question unanswered though - why does my system still tell me the drives will perform better when connected to USB 3 sockets if they aren't genuine USB 3 drives and when they are already connected to USB 3 ports? There is a contradiction there, and potentially a fault somewhere.
My understanding is that USB speed is dependent on bus technology in the computer and therefore the drive itself only needs the correct connectors to comply with the relevant usb system protocol - the drive speed itself isn't the issue here - it's the ability of the system to read and write to and from it, which in turn requires the necessary connection and socket type and relevant bus protocol?
I would appreciate if someone could further enlighten me if I have it wrong.
Thanks.

ICIT2LOL · 20 Dec 2014

Hmm well if it is of any consolation that messages are very frequent in that I think most of us get it from time to time - I do at least. I remember a senior member who is really clued up on the issue saying a few times that 3.0 USB although claiming to run at a zillion mph is really in all reality not that much faster than the 2.0 USB, and personally I have found imaging and transfer of data has very little difference whether I use the 3.0 or 2.0 and I have a reasonably capable Ivy bridge set up.

I suppose even if you have horrendous amounts of data to be transferred then that difference would be of consequence but in reality will make no difference in the time taken to download. I don't think it is worth the hassle of trying to get it to run anything at the claimed speed.
Take a look at this and it really is saying it depends on the brand and quality of the USB and it input speeds. USB 2.0 vs. USB 3.0: Should You Upgrade Your Flash Drives? it is jus an example of what we have been looking at but if it is slower with flash drives what chance an external spinner?? .
But I stand to be corrected if anything I have said is wrong.

Aww167 · 20 Dec 2014

Thanks again for the considerate answer and the links to some interesting reading. I'm actually not that upset if the drives don't perform at advertised speeds if I'm honest,- they're not bad value for money regardless of speed and serve a useful purpose - what I really want is to be able to determine if USB 3 is working at all on my motherboard. It's more the fact that the drives, even when physically connected to motherboard USB 3 ports aren't routed to the USB 3 system at all. Something in the system is saying they are compatible with USB 3 (the message about better performance + the physical attributes) whilst something else in the system seems to be saying they aren't (not routed to the correct internal system when viewed in device manager). To me, that's a basic contradiction that I feel I should understand if I'm going to be spending money on computers... but by no means such a big deal that I should let it take up any more time than necessary in the overall scheme of things!!
Thanks for the help.

ICIT2LOL · 21 Dec 2014

In answer to whether they are working well if you get the connection sounds from Windows and data does flow then yes they are working although as we know the transfer rate will not be what they claim it will be.

You are right in all reality the 2.0 USB transfer rate is not that bad or at least I don't think so for example an image takes me around 8 - 9 minutes to complete and when you compare that to the older tape type systems they are light years part.

Now as for the internal machinations of the board well I tend to think that even if everything is hooked up as should be then it is really a sales pitch that pulls us in and I admit to being seduced by the promises of super speed when reality shows it is not really the case. I suppose in the really super expensive components it might be better but again I am guessing not by much.

Anyway nice to meet you and I think we are about on the same page when it comes to not being that naïve to believe everything that is fed us:)
John