Level 1

5 points

USB 3.0 Hubs/Controller

Hi,

Just installed Windows 8.1 using Boot Camp Assistant. While on the OS X Yosemite side, all my external drives are seen and are useable. However, several of the same drives are not available when booted into Windows 8.1. Tried to move some files using my thumb drive and a message popped up saying something like the USB controller had exceeded its capabilities.

Is this a known issue with 8.1? Is there an update available that would fix this? All the same drives worked fine on Windows XP. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Posted on Mar 30, 2015 10:46 AM

35 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Mar 31, 2015 4:50 PM in response to ClarkG

Do you have any large drives which draw power but also have an external power source? If there are any, you can reduce the power drain on the iMac.

My suggestion would be to plug in one USB device at a time to check when the error comes up.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 31, 2015 5:40 PM in response to Loner T

I have three drives with their own power source and three USB 3 slim drives. Everything works fine in OS X, no power issues. The problem only occurs in Windows.

Back at it tomorrow.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Mar 31, 2015 6:14 PM in response to ClarkG

Can you calculate power required for the 3 non-powered USB devices? Volts and Amperes numbers would be good to have.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 31, 2015 7:35 PM in response to Loner T

Maybe I can find that info on Seagate's website but for what it is worth they are all plugged into a powered USB 3 hub.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Mar 31, 2015 7:53 PM in response to ClarkG

Is this what your topology looks like?

iMac -> 1. USB external powered hub

2. USB external powered disk1

3. USB external powered disk2

4. USB external powered disk3

USB external powered hub -> 3 Slim Seagate drives.

This configuration should draw no power from the iMac.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 31, 2015 8:04 PM in response to Loner T

Al the hard drives are plugged into the hub. The hub to the iMac. No drive is connected directly to the iMac

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 1, 2015 5:40 AM in response to ClarkG

Are there any other peripherals connected to this USB Hub or to the iMac directly? Can you test by removing the hub and directly connecting to the iMac? What is the brand/model of the hub?

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 1, 2015 12:28 PM in response to Loner T

Hi,

Ok, I first purchased an Anker USB 3.0 10 Port Hub with a charging port Mod. #AH231. It has its own power source. It did not have a shut off switch so when the computer powered down, the drives connected to it did not so I then purchased an iDsonix iDU3-H10P1 10 Port USB 3.0 hub which has power switches and it too has its own power source.

Connected to the Anker, I have a Canon MG6320 printer and a USB 2.0 cable which is connected to my Cyperpower battery backup. I also had (had) a WD 2 TB USB 2.0 hard drive which has its own power source.

Connected to the iDsonix I have three Seagate 2 TB USB 3.0 Backup Plus Slim drives which are powered solely via the USB cable; a Seagate 4 TB Back Up Plus USB 3.0 drive which has its own power source; a WD 2 TB USB 2.0 drive with its own power source; and a Pioneer BDR-XD05S Blu-ray Burner which has its own power source and a USB 3.0.

Connected to the iMac is the keyboard and the two hubs.

This morning I disconnected the WD hard drive and but the Battery Backup link still could not be recognized.

I have been away all day and only just returned and can now spend some more time on this. Again, there is no problem with everything connected while on the iMac side of things. Windows is a different story. Hope this make sense. As you know, there are only 4 USB ports on the iMac. I certainly need a hub to facilitate the use of my drives.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 1, 2015 12:48 PM in response to ClarkG

I will try and draw this. Please correct as you see fit/appropriate.

1. iMac USB (1 - arbitrarily assigned) -> Anker (with power) -> MG6320 (Does this have its own power source?), USB2 WD 2.0TB (Powered), CyberBackup

2. iMac USB (2 - arbitrarily assigned) -> iDSonix -> 3 x Seagate Slim 2.0TB (unpowered), Seagate BackPlus 4.0TB, WD 2.0TB, BluRay burner

3. iMac USB (3 - arbitrarily assigned) -> Keyboard

4. iMac USB (4) - What is connected here?

You have 4 x USB3 based on iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) - Technical Specifications

The CyberBackup should be directly connected to USB4. If you have a power failure and the Anker shuts down, your backup UPS will not work.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 1, 2015 1:31 PM in response to Loner T

Yes, sorry, the MG6320 does have its own power source.

The hubs are both plugged into the CyberPower battery backup so I should be good if the power goes out and it protects the hubs from surges.

In regard to the Anker hub, I think I will be able to phase out that WD drive so it will just be handling the printer and CyberPower.

I left the fourth port open on the iMac to facilitate the use of a flash drive. Though there are plenty of available ports on the hubs and keyboard. Yet, I still do not understand the problem with this configuration on the Windows side.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 1, 2015 2:15 PM in response to ClarkG

1. Test 1 - Move the CyberBackup USB directly to USB4.

2. Test 2 - Remove the 3 x Seagate Slim 2.0TB drives and test with one drive, then add the next one and test, and then add the last one and test. These drives require 5V/0.5A-1A (~2.5W - 5W). You should check how much power the iDSonix can supply.

3. You can also try moving the 3x Slims one at a time to USB4 and test, if there is a faulty power consumption from these.

All other sources have their own dedicated power and should not draw anything from Mac.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 2, 2015 9:44 AM in response to Loner T

Test 1: CyberPower software monitor works fine in USB4 but sacrificed one of the Seagate Slim 2.0TB drives. I also plugged my USB 3.0 Flash Drive into the keyboard port, under these above conditions and immediately received the "Not Enough Power on USB hub" error message. When I say these above conditions, no WD 2TB drive and one less Seagate Slim.

Of course, this is not the situation on the iMac side. All work.

Other tests to follow.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 2, 2015 9:49 AM in response to ClarkG

Can you test without the USB3 flash directly, rather than via Keyboard using the Anker or iDSonix available ports. It is nice to have USB ports on the keyboard, but they seem to be causing problems. The reference to a USB hub is likely to indicate the keyboard, more so than any of the powered hubs. Please also check Applications -> Utilities -> Console logs and type USB in the top right corner search box and search.

ClarkG Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 2, 2015 9:59 AM in response to Loner T

I assume the Console Logs are on the iMac side. The iDSonix seems to have accepted the USB3 flash drive but it has not in the past when all my drives were connected, nor would it work in USB4. It is working now I believe because there are two hard drives missing.

Not to change the subject or muddy things further but is there a known issue in Windows with the monitor/graphics? My screen constantly changes brightness levels in both directions.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Apr 2, 2015 10:17 AM in response to ClarkG

There should be Event Viewer logs on the Windows side, which can provide equivalent information.

When you say they change, do these change when the drives are moved around?

My screen constantly changes brightness levels in both directions.

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USB 3.0 Hubs/Controller