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USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 3:14 pm
by tdlpad
Trying to install a 2 port USB 3.0 Express Card. When I insert the card I get a 3 ring bell instead of the normal 2 tone bells as when you insert a USB device. The device does not install and drivers can't be found. Under device manager I see under Other Devices----Universal Serial Bus (USB)Controller with the yellow question mark. Any ideas what I am missing to get this to work. Thanks

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 3:53 pm
by Radioguy
Is it a generic? If Windows Update doesn't find a driver, it didn't come with any driver disc, and there's none on the mfgr website (likely there is none if it's generic), then the only recommendation is to look at the hardware properties under device manager. Go to the details tab, and scroll to "Hardware Ids", copy the ID info, and pop it into Google. You may see the card offered elsewhere, and discover a driver along the way. If it has an FCC ID, then googling that, if not doing a search at the FCC website, may spawn a picture of the chipset which should be identifiable (then google that too).

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:13 pm
by tdlpad
It is an Inland Pro 2 Port USB 3.0 ExpressCard. http://inlandproduct.com/pro2portusb30expresscard.aspx

Site says it is compatible with Winxp. No driver is available for it on the site. I am confused why WinXP thinks it is a Universal Serial Bus when I insert the card.

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:18 pm
by tdlpad
Has anyone successfully installed a USB 3.0 ExpressCard on a T-60 and how does it appear under device manager?

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:24 pm
by craigmontHunter
The problem isn't the T60, it would be that prior to windows 8 there is no integrated support for USB3 - you are going to need to find a driver from somewhere to use, or return the card and get a diffrent one with better support.

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:31 pm
by Radioguy
Low-end name brand = generic.

Is there an FCC ID on the bottom label? (Newegg conveniently chooses not to show that side in their listing) If not, I still recommend checking the hardware ID to identify the chipset. Identifying the controller chipset is the best lead to find current drivers.

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:18 pm
by tdlpad
Thanks for your help. Do not see any info that would lead to the chipset. PCI\VEN_1033&DEV_01948&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03 Do not see any FCC number. It is apparently a piece of China junk. Will look for a better card and try it again.

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:47 pm
by Radioguy
I too, googled that string without any hits, but consider that the "VEN" in the string is vendor, and pare down the string to just that, and we get:

NEC.

Now, put NEC and USB 3.0 Expresscard driver together:

https://www.google.com/search?q=nec+usb ... ard+driver

One of the first hits might help:

http://support.plugable.com/plugable/to ... ard_driver

Of course, none of those may work, but extracting some drivers to a folder, and then choosing update driver on the installed device, and pointing it at the folder to see if they work is worth a shot. It's even possible they might if you another step and force installation, but I wouldn't do that without more concrete evidence it's the same chipset here.

Obviously, the sure way is to pry it open and look at the chip, but I would consider returning it before then. ;)

Best of luck.

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:31 pm
by tdlpad
Looks like I got it working. There was a mini install CD but nothing worked when I pointed the driver update to each of the folders on the disc. Explored all of the folders and found an install for NEC Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller. Opening this up and installing provided what was needed. Thanks for the time and trouble you spent. I was ready to throw it in the trash as it was not worth the cost of returning it but your last post encouraged me to keep trying and now it is working. Thanks

Re: USB 3.0 Express Card Problem

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:43 pm
by Radioguy
Glad I could help.

That's the added price we pay for buying the cheaper peripherals. Trust me; I've done the same before (dongles, wifi, bluetooth, IR, etc) and learned what I have out of necessity by finding what's often not supplied. ;)