X220 USB 3.0 Issue

I have an issue with my USB 3.0 port on my X220. I recently bought a Seagate USB 3.0 external hard drive, and the drive functions just fine when plugged into a USB 2.0 port on both my desktop and my X220, but when I plug it into the USB 3.0 port on my X220, the X220 doesn't even register that a device is there. It doesn't show it in disk management, in windows explorer, or even as connected to the USB port in device manager. USB 2.0 devices will work in the USB 3.0 port, but not the USB 3.0 drive, which also works in USB 2.0 ports. So I'm scratching my head over figuring out what's wrong. In device manager, under the USB controllers, I understand that I should have a controller with the NEC brand label, however, no matter how many different ways (restarting, deleting the USB 3.0 drivers folder, cleaning out the registry, etc.) I try uninstalling and reinstalling the USB 3.0 drivers provided by Renesas for the X220, my USB controller never appears properly; it always appears as an Intel 6 Series controller. I have a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate, but I dont know if the USB 3.0 port worked when my X220 first arrived with lenovos copy of Windows 7 and software/drivers. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about fixing this?

 

The Intel Series 6 driver is for the USB 2 sockets.
Under the USB head in Device Manager there should be two entries for Renesas - Host Controller and Root Hub.
When I did a clean install, TP Update found the correct drivers and installed them OK.
The USB 3 works like lightning.

 

If you have an internet connection, why not run System Update from the lenovo site? I believe someone has posted a link to it in the forum too, not sure where I saw it.

Did you do a clean install on the original hard drive? If not and you still have it handy, switch out the drives and go back to factory settings to see if it works or not..

Good luck!

 

I ran System Update, and it wasn't able to help me at all. Also, when I click on the Renesas software for the controller, it tells me the host controller can't be found.
Under USB controllers I have:
Generic USB Hub
Generic USB Hub
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller- 1C26
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller- 1C2D
USB Composite Device
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

 

The Renesas (ex-NEC) USB 3.0 driver is here (that's from my T420s download list but it is the same hardware).

If the driver installer can't see the hardware then I wonder if there is an option to disable the hardware in the BIOS. Or has Power Managerment turned off the unused device? Perhaps it will install the driver when you reconnect the USB device.

John

 

I've tried that driver and unfortunately it doesn't do anything.
I don't have any other USB 3.0 devices to test with the laptop, but my BIOS options are limited and the power management software doesn't have any option besides allowing the USB 3.0 port charge devices while the laptop is plugged in but asleep.

 

Just want to bump up this thread.

I Just bought a USB3.0 enclosure and put in a WD 500GB Caviar Black in it (with data). When I plugged the USB3.0 cable in the USB3.0 slot, a Win7 box appears and asked me to format the drive (the box keeps appearing over and over again. In the end, I have like 10-15 alert boxes!).

I am unable to access/transfer the data in the HDD unless I move it to a USB2.0 slot. Then when I plugged it into the USB2.0 slot, a pop-up states that I can move data faster if I plugged it into a USB3.0 slot!!!! (I can access the data as per normal.)

It is real frustrating that I cannot use the USB 3.0 slot of the X220. I have tried re-installing the drivers (including the latest USB3.0 driver 2.0.32.0) and it shows:

2x Generic USB hub
1x Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller
1x Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Root Hub
2x Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
1x USB Composite Device
1x USB Mass Storage Device
2x USB Root Hub

Any suggestion is much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

 

That's almost the same USB setup as on my T420s except that I have:

2x USB Composite Device
0x USB Mass Storage Device

Can you beg,steal or borrow another USB 3.0 device to see if that will work. I'm inclined to suspect the enclosure. USB 3.0 hardware is still in its infancy and people have encountered compatibility problems.

John

 

Try the latest stock renesas drivers here

RENESAS/NEC Drivers & Firmwares

 

Thanks John & Rambler for the suggestions!

Unfortunately, I couldn't get another USB3.0 device to try.

And trying the latest stock renesas drivers didn't work either!

It is real frustrating to buy an USB3.0 enclosure to use on my first laptop that has a USB3.0 connection and it does not work! Every time I plug it into a USB2.0 slot, Win7 tells me that I should plug it into a USB3.0 to achieve better performance! Oh, the irony!

 

That isn't a USB 3.0 setting, that is a USB 2.0 port setting - the yellow port. Are you sure you have the Core i7 processor? That is required on the X220 to have USB 3.0 - a blue USB port.

 

The enclosure, drive or cable is most likely the culprit - as John suggested above. Return the enclosure and get a new one.

 

Will try to get a USB3.0 cable and try again... Unfortunately returning the enclosure is not an option.