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USB 3 Woes

D

dadama

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 13, 2009
16
1
Recently I endeavoured to upgrade my 2010 MacPro to support USB 3. I purchased a 2 port CalDigit USB 3 PCI Express Card and a Newer MiniStack Max Enclosure (USB 3 w/BluRay) from OtherWorld Computering. After installing the card, installing the USB3 driver, and connecting the Ministack Max I have come to learn that apparently Caldigit USB 3 PCI Express Card does not support a USB 3 hub including the USB 3 hub that is built into the Ministack Max. When all connected, my Mac experiences kernel panics upon start up but manages to boot itself up after the third attempt; however, the USB3 peripherals won't work or are flakey at best. I've spoken with technical support staff from Caldigit, NewerTech, and Other World Computing and gleaned the following:

1) Due to the (old) chipset used, the Caldigit Cards do not support USB 3 hubs.
2) The Ministack Max is not intended to be used in conjunction with an after market USB PCI Cards on the Mac. Apparently it will work on Windows PCI Cards (running Windows) and on MAcs with built in USB3, although this I cannot confirm.
3) Other World Computing is unaware of these issues and will gladly sell you these items, despite the known incompatibility issues.

Aside from my buyer beware message, I would like to know if anyone has had any luck using another USB3 PCI card with a USB hub. From what I have seen in various forums (and from my own limited experience) is that it doesn't look like USB 3 is a viable option for Mac Pro unless you are content with limited functionality (No hubs, card readers, etc).
 
I would remove that card and return it for a refund if possible. Then remove all drivers associated with the card.

Next, buy THIS CARD and you should be set. It requires no drivers for OSX and you should be able to run without adding the additional power.
 
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crjackson2134 said:
I would remove that card and return it for a refund if possible. Then remove all drivers associated with the card.

Next, buy THIS CARD and you should be set. It requires no drivers for OSX and you should be able to run without adding the additional power.
Click to expand...

THIS ONE looks interesting too. It has an internal 20-pin header in addition to the two rear ports. ;)
 
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Tesselator said:
THIS ONE looks interesting too. It has an internal 20-pin header in addition to the two rear ports. ;)
Click to expand...

Except for that pesky need to provide additional power (I hate that). I'm guessing that these cards can boot USB since it is supported out of the box in 10.8.2+
 
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crjackson2134 said:
I would remove that card and return it for a refund if possible. Then remove all drivers associated with the card.

Next, buy THIS CARD and you should be set. It requires no drivers for OSX and you should be able to run without adding the additional power.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Will this support a USB 3 Hub ?
 
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Pages 10-12 of this thread identify hubs that are known to work with the Orico cards mentioned above.

As far as I know, no USB3 card is bootable because the device drivers are not available until the OS loads.
 
crjackson2134 said:
Do you know if that also applies to iMacs and laptops with USB 3.0 OOTB?
Click to expand...

It doesn't apply because I'm speaking purely about add-on cards for the Mac Pro.

Apple surely includes boot time support in the firmware for any Mac that came with USB 3.0, or no USB bootable device would work before the OS loads.
 
crjackson2134 said:
Although I can't promise compatibility, it should work.

I can't hurt trying and I think I can still return the Caldigit.

BTW I now have two usb 3 hub. The one built into the NewerMinistack MAx and a 9 port Satechi that I just received. I will speak with Newer to see if that can provide an additional information regarding their hub and compatibility with the Orico card(s). The USB 3.0 chipset is a JMicron 539, which is bells and whistle to me.

Cheers
Click to expand...
 
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crjackson2134 said:
I would remove that card and return it for a refund if possible. Then remove all drivers associated with the card.

Next, buy THIS CARD and you should be set. It requires no drivers for OSX and you should be able to run without adding the additional power.
Click to expand...

Can anyone confirm this? I want a USB 3.0 card but id like to be able to run it without additional power added to it... Thanks :D
 
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GraniteTheWolf said:
Can anyone confirm this? I want a USB 3.0 card but id like to be able to run it without additional power added to it... Thanks :D
Click to expand...

Yes, I use the same card without additional power hooked up. To be clear, I have only connected it to USB 3.0 desktop hard drives, a USB 3.0 thumbdrive, and a USB 3.0 hub, all of which work fine.

OTOH, I have never tried to hook up something with more serious amperage requirements, like trying to charge an iPad or whatnot.
 
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Tesselator said:
Which Mac do you have?
Click to expand...

crjackson2134 said:
That's an older generation card, so I guessing you have an older Mac Pro. If going with a RocketU card, make sure you get the version that supports your Mac Pro and OSX.

As you can see in my SIG, I use the 1144CM and have no reliability issues. It only supports storage devices though.
Click to expand...

I googled the name of mine and came up with that link... I should have gone to my Amazon order history to find the correct link HERE it is.. Mac Pro 2010

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFNR0OA/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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brianric said:
I have a 2010 Mac Pro. Where are you tapping off to provide the 5 VDC?
Click to expand...
Unused optical drive. I have a 2008 3,1 with Molex connectors for the SuperDrive but yours will have SATA connectors. It's a simple matter to run a extension cable.
 
brianric said:
I have a 2010 Mac Pro. Where are you tapping off to provide the 5V DC?
Click to expand...
If you still want to use the second optical drive bay for something, then this extension/splitter cable is your best choice. Otherwise a simple male SATA to female Molex extension power cable like this is what you need. You may still need a Molex extension cable to reach the card.
 
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