32GB Flash Voyager doesn't work on new PC with USB 3.0

Question

I have recently built a new PC and my pendrive is not working correctly.

When I plug it into the USB port (I have only USB 3.0 ports), Windows recognizes it and lists it in Explorer, as usual.

I open it, and try to paste some files on the pendrive.

The files begin to copy but after a short moment (say 10s), the transfer stops, and after another 5s Windows says that the drive is unavailable etc.

It disapears from Explorer too (the icon is half-transparent).

After removing and pluging the pendrive in again it is visible, until a write attempt.

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My setup:

• Pendrive: Corsair Flash Voyager GT 32GB (used it for ca. 1 year now)
• Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H (with newest BIOS)
• OS: Windows 7 Pro, 64bit

I've updated all the drivers (Intel) and BIOS, and I still can't use the pendrive.

I can use other peripherials though (USB mice, keyboard), other pendrives too! The not-working pendrive works on other PCs.

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Update:

I manager to narrow down the problem: it's the Intel USB 3.0 driver - Intel® USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver

When I uninstalled it, the pendrive works like a charm, but it's not the USB 3.0 speed i'd expect. When I installed the newest Intel drivers (Feb 2014), the issue returned and the pendrive is useless.

Perhaps this small input can help somebody help me... What can I do?

Can you help me?

Answer 1

try formatting, it with NTFS and see if the problem is gone, otherwise try once more formatting it with FAT32 system.

Answer 2

Now that you've localized the problem to the driver, there can be only a few culprits:

1. The driver proper
   • it may incorrectly handle some exchange patterns that only your pendrive uses and none other of your peripherals
2. The USB controller at your motherboard (it's typically integrated into the southbridge)
   • other peripherals you listed likely don't use such high speeds, and when the controller works in USB 2.0 mode, speeds are likewise much lower
3. The pendrive
   • a bug/defect (incl. a consequence of wear) that other MBs you have have workarounds for but not this one

(Cables are out of question - you said it doesn't work in any of the ports. I assume there are at least a few directly on the motherboard.)

I'd call 2) - a defect in the particular MB - the most likely cause.

To rule out:

• 1) - test it with another fully functional driver (e.g. boot from a Linux LiveCD). Make sure the driver really is fully functional - i.e. that it makes the controller work at 3.0 speeds and fully supports the southbridge. Ideally, this should be the driver supplied by the MB's vendor - if it supplies them for anything other than Windows (other Windows versions are too close, drivers for them are likely to have the same bug. Of course, it won't hurt to try - maybe they don't!).
• 2) - test with another MB of the same model, or at least with the same chipset and driver (or a different driver but the same PCI IDs - provided you also do 1) to clean the driver from suspicion).
• 3) - test with another pendrive that's likely to act in the same exact manner - the same model or a larger model of the same model line. Alternatively, another USB device that will load MB's USB circuitry to the max may do.

You may be able to have a service center or the vendor you bought from do 2) for you.