Z77 Extreme4 and USB 2.0

kkemerait wrote: I have (as have many others) been experiencing problems with Schiit MODI DAC connecting using USB 2.0 .. I have read that on the Z77 Extreme4 (maybe other MB as well) that if USB 3.0 is enabled in the bios that all ports (both 2.0 and 3.0) are routed to the eXtensible Host Controller and that the only time the USB 2.0 ports are routed to the Enhanced Host controller is when USB 3.0 is disabled? Is this accurate? The USB device in question always generates a port reset failure when connected, but it seems to happen ONLY on ASROCK boards. It works fine on others. Running windows 10 professional 64 bit. The USB 2.0 ports work fine with any other device (mouse, kbd, etc.) I can also use same cable for a different device without problem. The Technical people at Schiit say it is probably a driver implementation. Doing a complete reformat and reinstall and installing all service packs/updates did not address the issue. eXtensible Host Controller Driver is 10.0.14393.0 Enhanced Host Controller Driver is 10.0.14393.0 They are the same driver's on the ASROCK MB as on the machine which works (Non ASROCK) Here are the two device events in question: "Device USB\VID_0000&PID_0001\6&1a8123c&0&5 had a problem starting. Driver Name: usb.inf Class Guid: {36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000} Service:  Lower Filters:  Upper Filters:  Problem: 0x2B Problem Status: 0x0" and  Device USB\VID_0000&PID_0001\6&1a8123c&0&5 was configured. Driver Name: usb.inf Class Guid: {36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000} Driver Date: 06/21/2006 Driver Version: 10.0.14393.0 Driver Provider: Microsoft Driver Section: BADDEVICE.Dev.NT Driver Rank: 0xFF0000 Matching Device Id: USB\RESET_FAILURE Outranked Drivers: usb.inf:USB\RESET_FAILURE:00FF2000 Device Updated: false Parent Device: USB\VID_8087&PID_0024\5&21d3f4f7&0&1 any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance

If the Schiit MODI DAC can only work with the generic Windows USB 2.0 driver, which is what you seem to be saying, then they should have taken care of that last year. (slightly off topic below)

That's because the new Intel Skylake/100 series chipset systems will only use the USB 3.0/eXtensible Host Controller Driver for both the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 controllers.

If you install Windows 7 on an Intel Skylake/100 series chipset system, none of the USB ports will work during the installation, unless a USB 3.0 driver is added to the Windows 7 installation media. If what you seem to be saying is true, then your DAC will not work on any Intel Skylake system.

Regarding your question about the Z77 Extreme4 board, I don't know if what you wrote is true or not, I have that board and it will take some experimentation to verify that, if possible.

But first, I must say I don't think you have made your case with the "10.0.14393.0" driver version for both USB controllers.

I know you have taken that information from Windows itself, from an error log, but let me show you what I mean.

This is from my X99 board with Windows 10 installed. These are Device Manager Properties of some of the USB controllers on that board:




Note that each of the Driver File Detail displays show the same 10.0.14393.0 File Version, while two out of three displays show different driver files. The actual drivers being used are shown, for the Enhanced and eXtensible controllers, and are what I would expect.

Still, you could try to prove your case, but I have doubts about that. Each USB controller can only provide resources/connections for X number of USB ports. Your theory contends that all 14 Intel USB ports (2.0 + 3.0) can be controlled by the USB 3.0 controller in the Z77 chipset at the same time. The specified number of Intel USB 3.0 ports is six on your board, and eight USB 2.0 ports. Two more USB 3.0 ports are provided by the ASMedia ASM1042 chip.

But the more I think about it, the more I see what might be going on. One thing to check are the USB Hub entries. I find what appears to be USB 3.0 drivers on some hubs, and not on other hubs.

Also, there are more Intel USB 3.0 ports available (six) than the Z77 chipset supports (4). That should not be caused by hubs. This chipset supports 10 USB 2.0 ports, only eight are available. Are USB 2.0 resources being combined to create extra USB 3.0 ports, which is somehow related to your question?

Have you tried any of the USB 2.0 ports provided by the three headers on the mother board itself? Not the ports on the IO panel. You must use a USB 2.0 connection from your PC case, or a PCIe slot type USB 2.0 port adapter.