Article Number: 000141904
USB 3.0 & USB 2.0 failing on Precision T3600, T5600 or T7600 systems
Summary: How to fix USB 2 and 3 issues with certain Dell Precision systems.
Article Content
Symptoms
Table of Contents:
- USB 3.0 Doesn’t work at all.
- System doesn’t boot from USB 3.0 device connected to USB 3.0 port.
- USB devices connected to USB 3.0 add-on Cards do not function outside Windows.
- USB ports non-functional.
Article Summary: USB 3.0 & USB2.0 failing on PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems.
PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems USB 3.0 Doesn’t work at all.
User might have problem attempting to get USB 3.0 working on a Precision systems, please follow these steps:
- User will need A02 or higher BIOS to support USB3.0
- Make sure that USB 3.0 is enabled in the BIOS.
Make sure the NEC USB3 driver is installed. That driver is under the Chipset category.
Windows 7 (64 & 32) / Windows Vista (64 & 32) / Windows XP & x64
NOTE: You may use the same driver link for various Operating systems listed below:
The USB 3.0 chip is not part of the Front Input / Output Panel, It is a separate part.
PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems USB 3.0 System doesn’t boot from USB 3.0 device connected to USB 3.0 port.
If a bootable USB 3.0 device connected to the USB 3.0 port on a Dell Precision cannot boot the system from the OS on that device.
As part of troubleshooting if you connect the device to the USB 2.0 port the device will boot without any problem.
However, if the USB 3.0 device is connected to the USB 3.0 hub and the system is booted from the internal hard drive then the device will operate in USB 3.0 super speed mode.
This can rule out any problems with the USB 3.0 port.
RESOLUTION:
This is not a hardware issue, the USB 3.0 port is working as designed.
USB 3.0 is supported only in the OS, not at boot.
At boot, the USB 3.0 capable port is USB 2.0. If USB 3.0 is enabled on the port, the OS begins loading and the USB 3.0 driver is loaded within the OS.
At that point, the port is muxed over from the USB 2.0 controller (in the Intel chipset) to the NEC USB3 controller. The USB 3.0 implementation was designed to support USB 2.0 in DOS (so the port was not dead at boot or in DOS), but it will not support booting from an external OS with USB 3.0 enabled due to the transition that occurs between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 while the OS would be loading on that port.
In essence, the user is trying to load content they need for USB 3.0 (the driver) while the system is transitioning between USB controllers.
USB devices connected to USB 3.0 add-on Cards do not function outside Windows in PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems
Issue:
User has an option to order a USB 3.0 add-on card in PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems. However, user may report that USB devices connected to the 3.0 ports do not function in the BIOS or DOS.
Resolution:
The system BIOS does not provide USB Legacy support to the USB 3.0 card in a non-Windows environment.
User need to connect USB devices such as keyboard and mouse to onboard USB 2.0 ports for functionality of these devices in a non-Windows environment.
PRECISION T3600/T5600/T7600 systems USB ports non-functional
Please Inspect the USB port for damage. If there is damage to the USB port & if the Computer is Covered by CompleteCare. The Motherboard should be replaced.
If the system is not covered by Complete Care: Please call the Dell Technical Support to arrange for a quote to set-up service.
If there is no damage to the USB port or plastics: Run the Add Hardware wizard.
| Vista |
XP |
| 1. Click Start and then Control Panel. |
1. Click the Start and then click Control Panel. |
| 2. In the left pane of Control Panel, click Classic View. |
2. Double-click Add New Hardware. |
| 3. Double-click Add Hardware. The User Account Control window may appear. If so, click Continue. |
3. Click Next, click Next, and then click Next. |
| 4. Click Next. |
If Windows does not find any hardware, it will offer to search for hardware that is not Plug and Play compatible. Click Yes (Recommended) and click Next. |
| 5. Click Next. Windows searches for any new devices. |
4. Click Next. |
| 6. If you receive a message stating "The wizard did not find any new hardware on your computer", click Cancel. |
If Windows does not find any new hardware, click Cancel. |
| If the hardware is detected, let Windows install the native driver for it (if applicable). |
5. If the device is detected, allow Windows to load the native driver for it (if applicable). If the device is still not detected, test with a known-good USB device, if available. |
A known-good USB device works: Continue troubleshooting of the failing USB Device, the computer is working as designed.
Any USB device fails on this computer and works fine on a known-good computer:
- Restore Setup (BIOS) Defaults.
- Download and Install the Latest Chipset Driver.
Read first the Installation Instructions.
- Replace the Motherboard.
A working USB device also fails or is not available:
- Restore Setup (BIOS) Defaults.
- Download and Install the Latest Chipset Driver.
Read first the Installation Instructions.
- Replace the Motherboard.
The Dell 32-bit Diagnostics failed on the USB port or controller:
- Replace the Motherboard.
The Dell 32-bit Diagnostics failed on other than USB device:
Research for "Dell Diagnostics Troubleshooting".
The Dell 32-bit Diagnostics passed or not available:
- Remove the USB Controller from Device Manager.
- Confirm the USB/1394 drivers are properly installed and visible in Device Manager.
- Adjust the USB Power Management Settings.
- Run the Add Hardware wizard again.
- The device was not detected: Replace the Motherboard.
- The device was re-detected: If there is still a problem with the USB Device, continue troubleshooting the failing USB device as the Computer is proved working fine.
Article Properties
Affected Product
Precision T3600, Precision T5600, Precision T7600
Last Published Date
21 Feb 2021
Version
4
Article Type
Solution