Thinkpads Forum

Update: I tried it and it doesn't work. I think I need to dump the whole config space (using lspci -xxx) and try again.

I am not familiar with the 04.b=06,04 syntax. I would do it in two separate commands: 04.b=06 and another one for 05.b=04.

dr_st wrote:I am not familiar with the 04.b=06,04 syntax.

The comma tells setpci to write the value at the next register. This means you can use a single setpci command to write to a contiguous or consecutive set of registers.

In any case, it didn't work, even after using lspci -xxx to dump a bigger chunk of the config space, then using diff to compare the two.

Upgrading to Linux kernel 4.1 doesn't improve things either.

Maybe I should use lspci -xxxx to dump the card's extended config space (4096 bytes).

Half the time, I'm worried about bricking the card. Fortunately it hasn't happened yet.

Update:

I upgraded my kernel to 4.2 (via the Debian backports repository), and now hot-plugging works for my USB 3.0 flash drive, but still not for the external hard drives.

I guess the Linux drivers are still not mature.

Well, it looks like the final nail in the coffin for this issue comes with the Linux 4.3 kernel!

Kernel 4.3 appeared in Debian 8's Backports repository perhaps a week or two ago, and I just updated it today. Curiously, I inserted my USB 3.0 card into the slot, then plugged in my USB 3.0 external HDD. Voila! Drive was detected, the uas module loaded, and was able to copy files back and forth without any issue.

axur-delmeria wrote:Well, it looks like the final nail in the coffin for this issue comes with the Linux 4.3 kernel!

In our neck of the woods, we'd say: That Linux 4.3 kernel is the icing on the cake!

Yes, "final nail in the coffin" usually refers to something that is dead/failed.

Great that you got it working though.

jdrou wrote:Yes, "final nail in the coffin" usually refers to something that is dead/failed.

Well, the problems are "dead", so it counts right?

Long story short:
The first time I tried an Expresscard USB 3.0 card (NEC/Renesas PD720202), it wouldn't work on Windows and Linux.
Of course I didn't buy it.
Then I got a Fresco Logic FL1100, but I had to boot to Windows first to use it.
With Linux 4.2, I could use USB 3.0 flash drives but not external HDDs.
But now...

Doesn't your expresscard get excessively hot? I have one like this (it was mentioned before) http://www.amazon.com/Sienoc-Express-Ex ... 00F876QJ4/
and your can totally fry eggs on the palmrest after 5 minutes, even if nothing is connected to the cards' ports.
Judging by the Amazon reviews of other cards I think this problem is common, but I'm not sure if I should try with other card or are they all like this.
Moreover, it drains power from the battery when in the slot (even with nothing connected to its ports) so I cannot just slide it in and forget about it - too hot and looses power.
I tested it on mi wife's x230 and got the same behaviour (I don't remember was it Windows or linux, on my x220 it's Debian).

Mine does get hot, but not enough to fry eggs. Yours runs hotter probably because it contains 2 chips: a PCIe USB 3.0 host controller and a USB 3.0 to SATA converter.

Most of the time the card is inserted 3/4 of the way in the slot. I just push it all the way in if I need to use it.

Okay thanks, that makes sense. I guess it's only good for AC then, when I really, really need more ports:)

evening_hunger wrote:when I really, really need more ports:)

If all you need are more ports, and not USB 3.0's bandwidth, there's an Expresscard USB 2.0 card like this, which is basically a USB 2.0 hub. I guess it would use less power than USB 3.0 card.