USB 3.0 problems on the new Intel 7 series chipset.

The problem I will describe is not applicable to just Lenovo laptops, but rather, to any computer containing the Intel 7 series chipsets, which integrate USB 3.0 support directly onto the die. Still, since people have been getting new laptops, I thought I'd bring this to everyone's attention.

When I plugged in a Western Digital Passport Drive onto my T430s and began copying 20GB of files onto my computer, the computer (a T430s) locked up completely. Sometimes it locks up when I plug in the drive, other times, it locks up when copying files. Plugging the drive into the USB 2.0 solves my problems.

Doing a bit research, I discovered that I wasn't the only one running into this problem:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/648258-envy-15-3xxx-usb-3-0-freezing-problems.html

Envy 15 freeze on USB 3.0 drive data transfer when copying n... - HP Support Forum

I do not know if this is a software problem or a hardware problem, but I suspect a QC issue with the chipsets themselves from my research. When I have time tomorrow, I'm going to contact both Lenovo and Intel on the issue.

 

I suspect it's the WD enclosures and drives.

 

Apparently has been happening to Seagate enclosures, too.

I'll give my WD drives a firmware update and report back.