USB 3.0 ports backwards compatibility problems with 2.0 devices?

Posted by AaronLS on Super User See other posts from Super User or by AaronLS
Published on 2012-10-02T00:57:42Z Indexed on 2012/10/02 3:42 UTC
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I see some info on the net that suggest that I should be able to get my USB 2.0 devices to work in 3.0 ports. I only have two 2.0 ports on my new computer, and six 3.0 ports. I have installed drives. There's two different drivers, I guess some of the ports are supported by the intel board and some supported by some other chipset on the motherboard.

I however have yet to get any of the 3.0 ports to work, and my brother had had the same issue with his devices not working in 3.0 ports on his computer. So I am beginning to wonder if the backwards compatibility isn't reliable for some reason. Maybe manufacturers opting not to implement 2.0 support on the 3.0 ports. I understand that physically the wiring is there, but that is only half the story.

Beyond my brother's and my own computers (different motherboards/everything), I have yet to see a 2.0 device work in a 3.0 port. Is there any reason for this apparent device incompatibility? I.e. looking for responses that would indicate what areas to explore for issues or if there is any known cases of manufacturers deviating from spec in hardware or drivers. I am aware it's "supposed" to work :)

Update: Does this have any relation to "USB Legacy Support" options in the BIOS? There several options combinations of options with "USB Legacy Support" and "USB 3.0 Legacy Support" and the description for these is a bit confusing, sounds like a bad translation.

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