Subj : USB 3 Issue? To : Ky Moffet From : Barry Martin Date : Fri Feb 28 2020 09:36:00 Hi Ky! > KM> Huh. > So I taught you something for a change! :) KM> It can happen, despite myself. "Sometimes better to bend in the breeze like the mighty willow." > > KM> Speaking of USB, whatever you have is contagious -- USB quit > KM> entirely on this box (last week it was one of the NICs, so it's > KM> probably defective southbridge). > > That's not good! ...First thing I thought of was Linux/Ubuntu doens't > play nice with the IOMMU setting in the BIOS: during _installation_ > needs to be toggled. You're way past installation so probably (almost > definitely!) a false lead but figured I'd mention something anyway. KM> WTF is IOMMU ?? IDK! Input Output Memory Management Unit -- which stil doesn't mean much to me, especially as to get USB 2 and 3 working properly it's turn IOMMU off, install Ubuntu with a additional command, on reboot turn IOMMU back on and allow the install to complete. Instructions are on-line; not complicated, just the "why isn't it done automaticlly?" feeling. Without this little 'dance' I had where the keyboard and mouse plugged in to the rear USB 2.0 ports stopped working. My new machine also has on the front panel a pair of USB 2 and USB 3 each. Front USB 2 also didn't work but the USB 3 did. On reboot the USB 3 didn't work but the UBS 2 did.... Arghhh! My personal experience was 'annoying' but I also had a faulty RAM stick. It tested fine on the quick tests so looked to be fine but a couple of minutes into the extended testing and the errors popped up. The RAM issue and the IOMMU issue combined... had thought of that computer you said you hung on the fence as a lesson to the other computers! KM> Tho this is WinXP; its twin had PCLinuxOS on it, on a removable KM> drive, but since PCLOS is now on one of the Dells, that'un will KM> be used to swap out this'un so I can rebuild it with the New! KM> Improved!! guts. That almost needs to be drawn on the chalkboard to be understood! Have done similar here: build a new computer, upgrade others, maybe change the usual usage, so to keep costs down reuse some hardware. > "Enquiring minds wanna know" so I did a quick Google search ("+12v rail > low voltage"). One reply suggested cleaning and reseating the mother- > borad and PSU connectors and if that didn't fix replace the PSU. KM> When I get it apart, I'll stick the PSU on the tester that reads KM> voltage; seems to be very accurate. I don't think anything this KM> mainboard says can be trusted at this point. Make sure the readings are done under load: plug in an old inefficient current-sucking hard drive. I haven't had with a PSU but with a UPS battery where the battery initially tests good but a hare more draw the battery fails (no output). Thinking a power supply could do similar: work fine with a light draw, then shut off when the load becomes too much. Yes, "fuse" and "circuit breaker" come to mind, so can "crowbar circuit" which is effectively an automatically resetting circuit breaker. > Further: "ATX spec allows for a 5% deviation above and below 12v. That > is, if the voltage reading is about 12.6 or 11.4 volts, the PSU is not > functioning properly." That more for whoever else is reading this. > Also tends to verify for you a failing PSU, replacement of which would > be required for the new assignment. Would be nice if took care of the > USB issue too! KM> Probably won't, since the USB part has been goofy to absent since KM> before I got it: When I was gifted the pair I was told one had a KM> failed southbridge, but the giver says he mighta stuck that tag KM> on the wrong one. Well, I think we know that now! :) Would be funny if 'just' that IOMMU setting! > KM> Regardless... Something Went Wrong! > I tend to concur! KM> D'oh!! ("Something Went Wrong!" is the standard Mac error KM> message. Very helpful, in Apple's usual way.) Yeah: I know 'something went wrong'! > KM> reminds me, need to peel some stuff out of one of the > KM> resurrectees for its former owner. Not that I need a dedicated > KM> Vista machine but it's already set up and runs very well, so > KM> leaving well enough alone. > Nice 'gift with purchase' bonus! KM> Haha, yes. Thus have I acquired two copies of Vista, tho the one KM> on the faster machine ran like crap and was ejected for Win7, KM> which runs better there. Someone please explain to me why two KM> identical Vistas, neither with any OEM crapware, have their KM> hardware performance backwards! Just to annoy you! I think it might be partially due to (how's that for a wiggle-phrase?!) tolerances: slight variances in the individual parts (even within integrated circuits, etc.), so a fraction gain here, fraction loss there. > > For personal use I've been purchasing USB 3's at 16 GB, in 'small bulk' > > for discount prices, when on sale. Last were Kingston DataTravellers > > and no failure -- knock on wood! (Ha-ha: the computer desk is wood!) > KM> Kingston not my fave brand of anything. Most Failed RAM award. > KM> Like 90% of the failed RAM I've seen (not much, but mostly > KM> theirs). > You're worrying me! I've used their SSDs as boot devices/boot and data > on some of the computers around here: thinking the basic technologies > between a USB thumbdrive and solid state drive are the same. KM> For scratch use I don't really care, but if I want to keep the KM> data.... Backup! And backup the backup! > > ..Do have several SanDisk Ultras (USB 3.0, 16 GB). Hmm: Lexmark > > Jumpdrive, USB 2.0, 128 MB. Seriously! It has a configuration file on > > it and yes it does load slow! > KM> I hope you mean 128GB and Lexar :) > Correction: it is Lexar, but no, it is 128 MB: Model JDSP128-04-500A. KM> Really? Holy crap. I still have a Cruzer of that era somewhere, KM> but gods know which box it's in cuz it's nowhere to be found. In KM> its day USB was still so hit or miss that I never got in the KM> habit of using it. I think Dad may have given it to me for use with a digital camera, or maybe to Sneakernet, ...I'm trying to think what to do with it - just a bit quirky but no one here really would know as they don't get into the details. I'm thinking maybe using it with an older Raspberry Pi for a 'fun' project. KM> Niftiest flash drive: one in the shape of a padlock from Symantec KM> (and it's all metal, so it's as heavy as a real lock). You push KM> in the hasp to expose the USB connector. I don't know what I did KM> to earn it, but one day it arrived in the mail. Musta been KM> conference fodder I'd long since forgotten about. Don't drop it on your toe! I tend to avoid the cutsie devices but that one would be fun to pullout of one's pocket and see others reactions when used. Or have it hanging as a lock and plug it in! KM> So went looking on eBay to see if it has any particular collector KM> value (didn't find any samples) but discovered this actual KM> combination lock flash drive: KM> https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Storage/USB-Driv KM> es/flash-padl KM> ck-3-config/p/CMFPLA3B-16GB KM> (Which on ebay is listed at much higher prices, wtf.) Ah! I was thinking the 'traditional' padlock with the curved metal bar but that one is an attention-getter too. As far as eBay prices, I've also found they are not always the lowest > > > > Will continue to ground-before-insert just as a good practice. > > > KM> If only because *I* don't like getting zapped. :) > > > So we have found out you're not into that cheap a thrill!! > > KM> I am no fun at an electrocution. :P > > That comes as no shock! > KM> I prefer dynamic to static. > AC? DC is more fun! KM> Surely you can sing better than that. I barely carry a tune in a bucket! > KM> of the box (was a gift and from the clearance bin, but new) and > KM> some of the USB ports never worked. Now they ALL don't work. > KM> Power good, but no data. > LIS up there towards the top, the on-line stuff is suggesting a faulty > PSU -- easy enough to replace, and if it is failing should be replaced > for the motherboard's new function anyway. ...Assumed you've rebooted. KM> And as I respond up above (we are nothing if not redundant!) PSU You can say that again! KM> gets tested too, when all apart. But board was already suspect, KM> just had the wrong suspect in custody. "It was my evil twin, honest!" > > Giant game of Hide and Seek with the merchandise! > KM> WHO MOVED MY STUFF?? > It's kind of funny (IMO): some people are rather grouchy during the > transitioning. OK, yeah: it's sometimes noisy and inconvenient. Then > there are others who look around and over the inconveniences and look > forward to the new-and-improved store that's coming. And my "hide and > go seek" comment (said in a fun way) seems to get the grumps out of it. KM> Haha, I'll use that on my fave people at Walmart next time they KM> move everything. Just be careful of to whom you say that: some think they're the ones been seeked! > KM> I got a rather pricey copper heatsink for Bullet for next time I > KM> have it all apart... southbridge has an aluminum heatsink and a > KM> fan blowing square on it, but it's not enough. Durn thing can hit > KM> a sustained 220F under load. Boils eggs AND fries bacon! > Ky's Grill and Computer Repair! KM> Needed a small-footprint heatsink for an AMD hotplate that I KM> didn't have the right size ready to hand... so used the above KM> copper heatsink. CPU stayed tolerable but HOLY CRAP did this KM> thing get hot. Yeah, it transmits heat just fine!! I'm think the "AMD approved" heatsink and fan for the CPU in this computer isn't all that it should be. Had to air dust again the other day but wasn't that much - yes, a a thin layer but seems like shouldn't be killing the thing. The other computers up here have just as much dust. Maybe a water cooler type? Any experience? KM> And I remember why I don't like AMD... damn things cook KM> themselves in no time flat. Was going through the pile of old KM> motherboards ejecting those that have gone NFG in storage (since KM> I finally rediscovered the boxes they were in) and found a couple KM> trays of CPUs... seem to be a lot of variations among the AMDs, KM> as they're not nearly as socket-agnostic as Intels. And about KM> half the AMDs were dead, but none of the Intels were. Once I get KM> 'em all tested and matched to one another, those AMD boards might KM> depart to eBay, not like I'm short and vintage gaming boards are KM> all the rage lately. If you have the storage room and the time to sell them. OTOH if it weren't for people like you selling thir stuff on eBay people like me couldn't buy stuff there! (Maybe I should start avoiding AMD -- this computer is AMD but so is the one I'm using for MythTV and it's fine.) > KM> Close :) Micro-Star International. Not that any of the P60 era > KM> were much good that I saw, but their were exceptionally cranky > KM> and primitive, like uppity 386s. But by the P3 era they were > KM> really nice. > I was trying to remember why "MSI" sounded familiar -- thinking I had > something of theirs but not recalling what. Maybe motherboard but > didn't sound right. Have or at least had a video card "MSI HD5450" - > file dated from 2011. Then also a MSI-branded video card with dual DVI. KM> Yeah, they have vidcards now too (NVidia chips, IIRC), I have a KM> couple of 'em I picked up because they were reasonably modern yet KM> fanless. I don't recall which is which right now but I have a fanless video card which works/worked fine except the heat sink is so huge it extends into the next slot position. Most do stay within their confines but some are a bit tight. > > Right. Here the computer I use for recording TV (MythTV Backend) can > > use 32 GB but it seems to be happy with half that -- I don't think I've > > seen it use more than 30-40% of that. > KM> Yeah, only reason I've been doing the whole max-out 32GB on these > KM> Dells is because, well, future-proofing. And one being a > KM> Hackintosh, if I get around to Catalina will need ALL of it. > KM> (14GB just to admire its navel.) > It's not idling, it's pontificating! I was surprised both of KM> LOL! That sounds right. KM> And I found a board I could transplant the Giant Server to (same KM> CPUs and RAM and it has onboard SAS) that is functionally KM> identical to the innards in a Mac Pro... So you going to post to Instructibles.com "How I Built My Own Mac Pro"?! > my systems were happy with 'just' the 16GB. This one I sometimes do > some intensive stuff, or to least to my brain seems like it. I don't > think I've ever used more than 6 GB of RAM but not going to remove any. KM> I try to max 'em out once the price comes down from bleeding KM> edge, because then it's done, as futureproofing. Yes, I also try to futureproof -- have been burned a few times: need some 5¬" floppies? As far as the thumbdrive capacity, it seems 16 GB is more than enough for what I do. Of course I'm not running a business. As for computers, the main ones are or were maxed out: the one used for recording TV shows does have 32 GB installed though I don't think it has used even a quarter of it. This one (the one I'm one currently) also had 32 GB but found one stick was faulty so needed to RMA that pair. With and without that 16 GB pair always seems to use no more than 8 Gb so just left the replacement out for use in some other project. > The Backend for the MythTV system originally had 32 GB installed, found > one stick was bad so pulled the pair and RMA'd. It worked fine with the > remaining pair so when received the replacements decided to leave them > for another computer. (RAM usage comments based on System Monitor > observations.) KM> Falling under Good Enough For Purpose. Pretty much. :) > KM> Otherwise, probably only time I've used enough to notice is when > KM> two VMs going at once. Why I'd do that escapes me. > Because it's easier that starting up and shutting down the first one! KM> That might be it! I will admit to some "don' wanna wait" Syndrome! KM> Silly VM tricks: PCLOS will not speak consistently to the Windows KM> network. However, XP in a VM works fine with the network. So when KM> I need to move files, I fire up the XP VM and use it to copy KM> stuff across the network. Very silly, but works without causing KM> baldness. I've noticed Copy & Paste doesn't work consistently across the VM either -- like earlier when I wanted to look at your lock thumbdrive link. Usually easier and faster to use the Linux Firefox than the VM Windows' Firefox but this time nothing would copy over. For some reason even had a bit of a problem copying from XP's editor to XP Firefox (had to put the three lines back to one). As for networking, here I haven't needed to have a remote computer look at VM XP but do need to have the local machine 'chat' with the virtual one so created a 'rabbit hole': VM XP has a networked drive which connects to a shared folder of the Linux machine. > > This system has 32 GB installed 'cause I'm a little demanding at times. > > I've not seen it use more than 25% - right now 6.4 GiB. > KM> Nice thing about plenty of RAM being I can give as much as > KM> necessary to a VM and not be at all cramped. > I'll have to watch what happens when I play with multiple VMs. Right > now just use the one for XP. Do have a test Linux which I rarely use: KM> I only have VMs for XP and for PCLOS/TDE, tho I might have to KM> build one for Fedora/KDE so I can have my deprecated font manager KM> back. I'm sure the only reason the TDE VM exists is so I can KM> update it occasionally, and admire Trinity's beauty and elegance, KM> cuz I haven't used it for anything! Sometimes the 'purdy stuf' is just nice! > want it for trial/testing out ==> for example eventually will move the > X10 home automation (primarily turning on/off lighting) from XP to KM> Being a troglodyte, I still use my finger on the switch. I KM> remember when you installed the X10 -- I got one of the freebies KM> they were handing out at the time, but never used it. "Someone around here" used to have all sorts of timers and extension cords to turn lights on and off automatically. Nice, but the cords looked messy; main problem was the darn twice-a-year time change plus the power would fail somewhat frequently because of the birds and squirrels being curious about the pole transformer in the back yard. (We're in a residential neighbourhood with lots of trees.) Reset the time on the timers without battery backup.... Have found over the years the X10 signal is getting hard to be 'heard'. 120 KHz over powerline. (Insteaon is 130 KHz.) Noise created by UPSs, some computer power supplies, other electronic devices. 120 KHz filters help. Got to learn a little more about the two electric phases in residential wiring, etc., while figuring out various issues. All but one outlet we want to work automatically works properly with the X10 controller; it works fine with the remote control, which AFAICT works through the same controller. > .. And as the cream sauce said to the asparagus -- Happy Hollandaise! KM> That's my tagline! Spread the words! :) ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... Bad love lines: You set my heart aflame - you give me heartburn. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .