X220 (and X201, X200) USB 3.0 Expresscard

[dr_st]

I have an X220 with an i7-2620M processor. I am looking, ideally, for a Express Card USB 3.0 Adapter, that also provides fully powered ports, such as for external USB 3.0 HD, for instance.

What's wrong with the built-in USB3 port on the X220? Does it not provide enough power? If that's the case, then no USB3 ExpressCard adapter will. However, some of them, such as this one, have a power socket which allows pulling additional power from a second USB port, using the attached cable.

Reliability is more important than price.

Still, no need to pay upward of $50 for such adapters, when you can get similar ones for $10-$15. They are all based on the same chipsets anyway.

PS: I noticed it is a Renesas/NEC - µPD720200 card; what would you recommend that is more recent? - thank you.

The µPD720202, for example, which is what the AKE adapter I linked to is based on (I bought one on eBay a couple of months ago).

[JPH]

My 2c

I also have an i7 with built-in USB 3.0 and both the Expresscards (Renesas or ASM1042) and built-in Renesas give me about the same TFR speed. Depending on the make and chipset of the USB drive and the actual drive used, it can be anything between 90 and 120 MB/s sustained read speed. With my Buffalo PNT3 (5400 rpm), I get about 100-105, and with a Seagate Momentum XT (hybrid 7200 rpm) in a cheap generic china caddie, I get about 115 with either the built-in port or the Expresscards (with no additional power). Just make sure you get the latest drivers for your chipset - I have updated both firmware and driver for all my USB 3.0 ports/express cards here:
http://www.station-drivers.com

Oh FWIW, I also have a couple of Patriot Rage XT USB3.0 pendrives and I rank this model up there with the best - often hitting read speeds of 150-155 MB/s, way higher than my Kingstons.

[piledriver]

X200 tablet

I picked up an AKE 54mm card off ebay, USB3/esata combo.
(no model# on unit)

First one USB3 worked fine, installer couldn't find it, esata chip not showing up in device discovery (win8) the asmedia FW loader couldn't see it, and Linux didn't see it either (3.80RC kernel, it's supported for awhile)

Second one was DOA, not even a connect event. The US reseller had no idea, I threw him a bone for trying as he probably spent more on shipping the replacement priority mail than he made on a $12 item.

At least the USB3 works well, and if nothing else the dead e-sata port LOOKS good.

Hopefully the bugs will be fixed eventually and I'll be able to buy one that really works.

[Core Share]

@dr_st: Thank you for the reflection.

I do not buy computer parts that often and thus I am somewhat astonished and bemused when I do, such as the surreal cheap-ness of AKE and GMYLE SUB 3.0 express cards for instance:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/54mm-Express-Ca ... 0740360114

$13.00 with free postage!

I am most heartened that my i7 X220 has a dinky-di USB 3.0 port, which one is it? - thank you.

@JPH: thank you for the station drivers link and the Patriot Rage pointer.

@piledriver: Thank you for the caveat, at these prices it may be worth the DOA experimental risk.

Though generally speaking being a ThinkPad man, I am not adverse to paying a relative premium for quality and quality reliability, in particular.

[dr_st]

The left rear one. It should be blue.

[Core Share]

@dr_st: Thank you, I am glad I found and bought an i7 X220.

[dr_st]

I envy you. I'd like to have one myself. But I want a very particular one.

[Core Share]

@dr_st: Alas, the motherlode of X220's dried up, however there are some very nice i7 T420 machines available:

http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0009-212 ... d?spr=true

(I know, off-topic for this topic and off-topic this sub-forum; but I'd thought I'd mention it - useful in another sub-forum perhaps, with apologies)

[crashnburn]

I have the AKE USB 3.0/ eSATA one. Can you guys recommend a particular driver for this from that page?

[JPH]

I have the AKE USB 3.0/ eSATA one. Can you guys recommend a particular driver for this from that page?

It's probably the ASM1042 chipset. In which case the latest (stable) driver would be version 1.16.20.

[piledriver]

The USB3 side is ASM1042, and may be picked up and just work with Win8, and just works with Linux as long as you add the (IIRC) xhci or hppcie modules to /etc/modprobe.preload (using the X300 ATM, google to make sure)

The E-SATA side is ASM1061 or 2061, and should be picked up (at least SEEN) automatically once the USB is found, as it's a USB device.
Mine isn't seen by any method (including the ASM firmware tool) suspect it's borken.

I'd be delighted to pay 3X for a similar flush mount card that was decent quality.

[spuddog]

Just got an AKE dual usb 3.0 54mm card. running Win8 on an x201. Didn't need to load drivers, Win8 already had them.
transfers about 2.5 times faster than tests I made with the same flash drive on the usb 2.0 port. I've rebooted several time with the card in and tests the same

happy so far

[crashnburn]

It's probably the ASM1042 chipset. In which case the latest (stable) driver would be version 1.16.20.

Thank you, I will check it out.

The USB3 side is ASM1042, and may be picked up and just work with Win8, and just works with Linux as long as you add the (IIRC) xhci or hppcie modules to /etc/modprobe.preload (using the X300 ATM, google to make sure)

The E-SATA side is ASM1061 or 2061, and should be picked up (at least SEEN) automatically once the USB is found, as it's a USB device.
Mine isn't seen by any method (including the ASM firmware tool) suspect it's borken.

I'd be delighted to pay 3X for a similar flush mount card that was decent quality.

Great bit of insight. I hope my experiments of getting this working on my T61 work out well.

Just got an AKE dual usb 3.0 54mm card. running Win8 on an x201. Didn't need to load drivers, Win8 already had them.
transfers about 2.5 times faster than tests I made with the same flash drive on the usb 2.0 port. I've rebooted several time with the card in and tests the same

happy so far

Just curious where / which dealer/ location did you get it from? (Since there's so many sourcing possibilities).

[spuddog]

Got it from E-bay seller hotemarket2008 out of Hong Kong. I've ordered another from E-bay seller screenaid. It is actually cheaper than the one from China.

[Mister]

It never occurred to me to install something on my X201T

After seeing this thread, I started searching on eBay and am not quite sure which seller to get it from.

Has anyone tried the one with 3 x USB3 ports? There's one here http://www.ebay.com/itm/AKE-Laptop-Note ... 35bc06adc7

It doesn't look like it has the input for power on this one. Do you think that will be a proble, for certain externals?

Thanks

[dr_st]

Yes, lack of power may be a problem with certain externals.

IMO, this is a nice concept device but not one worth getting:

* The ports are so close together that most devices will block an adjacent port, so in the end you have only two usable.
* Even if you somehow managed to plug 3 devices, I find it unlikely that the card will be able to supply enough power for all 3. And with no connector for extra power, you're stuck.

[Mister]

Thanks. I ended up ordering the 2 x USB instead. We'll see how it goes!

And to think I almost sold my X201T recently, but it has been revitalized with the Ultrabase docking station and this expressport idea is interesting.

[spuddog]

Hi,
I know this thread is for the X series, but I got another AKE dual USB 3.0 for my T60. Works fine, but I had to download the drivers.
No speed lose on reboot.

Still happy
Scott

[longface]

Thank you, guys. Just ordered a "GMYLE" duel USB 3.0 card from Gigacity, via Amazon.ca. Hope that it works.

[farmall]

Got a 2 port AKE card "Express Card Expresscard 54mm to USB 3.0x2 Port Adapter" from Ebay seller screenaid and I'm delighted with it in my X200 running Windows 7.

BEFORE you install yours, gently shave the corners off all the "black plastic" portions with an X-acto knife or razor blade etc.

That includes the black "locking lug" which at the inboard end of the card. Don't take much off, but you don't want sharp edges.

This averts it getting stuck in the slot. If it DOES get stuck, DO NOT force the eject button, just carefully withdraw the card by wiggling it while GENTLY pressing the eject button.

You will need to install two drivers, one for the USB root hub.There are multiple driver folders on the included mini-CD so just do 'em one by one if in doubt.

[crashnburn]

Got a 2 port AKE card "Express Card Expresscard 54mm to USB 3.0x2 Port Adapter" from Ebay seller screenaid and I'm delighted with it in my X200 running Windows 7.

BEFORE you install yours, gently shave the corners off all the "black plastic" portions with an X-acto knife or razor blade etc.

That includes the black "locking lug" which at the inboard end of the card. Don't take much off, but you don't want sharp edges.

This averts it getting stuck in the slot. If it DOES get stuck, DO NOT force the eject button, just carefully withdraw the card by wiggling it while GENTLY pressing the eject button.

You will need to install two drivers, one for the USB root hub.There are multiple driver folders on the included mini-CD so just do 'em one by one if in doubt.

My AKE with USB 3.0 + eSATA will just not go into the T61 Expresscard slot - As if something was blocking it.

I thought something was wrong with the slot so I tried another Express Card (MoGoMouse) and it goes in and makes a good fit.

I compared the two and I can barely see any difference - Slight corner difference. Should I post a comparative picture to figure out if this is a valid case for "shaving" some plastic

[farmall]

Hard to tell from a pic, but no loss to shave the thing if it won't insert. I only took off a few thousandths, mere slivers.

It's not highly precise work, just remove the sharp corners on the top and bottom of each plastic corner piece.

Anything larger than a card which DOES fit needs to go away.

If you can't see a difference, try a bright light and magnifying glass.

A single edge razor blade, boxcutter (with a sharp blade) or a nail file, etc will do fine.

I didn't measure mine before shaving it since trimming the plastic was the obvious thing to do. Took longer to find my knife than shave the corners.

Here's an illustration of what in machining is referred to as a "chamfer" where a sharp corner is removed. Note the general proportions:

http://www.ptc.com/products/proe/wildfi ... hamfer.png

[Timpel_800]

Just ordered one aswell for my x220t, curious about it !

[longface]

Placed an order on Amazon on 3/4. Have not received it yet.

[farmall]

Got two more of the 54mm USB 3.0 Expresscards from screenaid. Shaved and installed no problem.

Tested using Linux Mint, also no problem.

[Timpel_800]

received my expresscard after a few weeks, looks good. But now, I don't have a cd player on my x220, does anyone have the drivers online perhaps?

[dr_st]

If it's the same AKE 54mm card, then it's probably the NEC/RENESAS USB3 Controller (uPD720201 & uPD720202) driver from this page:
http://www.station-drivers.com/page/renesas.htm

[Timpel_800]

Thanks, the card itself seems to be working fine. But, when I remove an usb device out of the adapter, the adapter slides out of the expresscard slot aswell. Although it was really locked in te slot

[dr_st]

That's the problem of all these spring-loaded slots...

[Timpel_800]

bummer, and is there anything to do about it?