USB 3 cannot use?

siamoose · 21 Feb 2013

I have a HP Pavilion P6 2133W Desktop. On the front of the case there are 2 USB 3.0 ports, I cannot use them with any of my devices! I can only use the USB 2.0 ports that are on the back of the harddrive.

Is there a way to use the USB 3.0 with my older devices that use the USB 2.0 ports?

If not, is there an external device that I can buy that allows more connections for USB 2.0 than the 4 I have in the back of my harddrive? I hope that makes sense!

Thank you,
debbie

Brink · 21 Feb 2013

Hello Debbie,

USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0.

Double check to make sure that the front USB 3.0 ports are connected to your motherboard.

In addition, double check your BIOS settings to makes that USB 3.0 is enabled.

Hope this helps for now, :)
Shawn

Joan Archer · 21 Feb 2013

Have the front ports ever worked ? Maybe they aren't connected to the motherboard and that's why you can't use them. You can buy multi port adapters that will use one port but will give you several additional ones that you can use.

Oops you must have been posting while I was writing Shawn.

siamoose · 21 Feb 2013

Thank you Shawn for your answer. Could you tell me how to check the things you want me to check...lol!

1. How to check to see if the USB 3.0 ports are connected to my motherboard?
2. How to check the BIOS?

Thank you!
debbie

Brink · 21 Feb 2013

When you open the computer case panel, look to see if you have a data cable connected from the front USB 3.0 ports to the motherboard USB 3.0 hubs. If there is not a data cable running from it, then it's not connected and basically unusable until connected.

It'll be similar to the images below, but imagine the small box or bay as the front USB 3.0 ports and everything crammed in the case. :)

USB 3 cannot use?-p8p67-deluxe_3d-usb_x.jpg

siamoose · 21 Feb 2013

Thank you Shawn! I will try this and see what it looks like inside! :)
debbie

siamoose · 21 Feb 2013

Hi Joan,
Thank you for your answer! I did a search for the multi port adapter on Amazon and am happy to see they do exist

(PS: Went to your website, stunning work you do!)
debbie

VistaKing · 21 Feb 2013

Looking at your motherboard from your PC model . It's the light blue port towards the bottom

Joan Archer · 22 Feb 2013

siamoose said:

Hi Joan,
Thank you for your answer! I did a search for the multi port adapter on Amazon and am happy to see they do exist

(PS: Went to your website, stunning work you do!)
debbie

Hi Debbie, glad you found the ports, I have one but don't use it now I can't even remember where it is.

Thank you for your comments on my site.

carwiz · 22 Feb 2013

Check Hardware Manager and see if the USB3 Controller and Hub show up. USB3 requires drivers.