Problem summary: After a fresh install of Win7 SP1, my laptop's two USB 3.0 ports cannot read/write USB 3.0 flash drives. The same ports can read/write USB 2.0 flash drives (and external USB 2.0 drives). Both USB 2.0 and 3.0 flash drives work fine in the third USB (2.0) port.
Details
- Inspiron 17R N7110 laptop running Windows 7 SP1
- Equipped with two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port
- Hard drive failure, replaced the hard drive, re-installed Win 7 SP1 from Dell install CD.
- Ran all of the Windows updates.
- Installed drivers from the Dell website.
- Installed MS Office 2013 and several other applications.
The laptop is running very well except for the USB 3.0 problem. The one USB 2.0 port is behaving fine. However, the two USB 3.0 "superspeed ports" are wonky.
The 3.0 ports cannot read/write a 3.0 flash drive The 3.0 ports can read/write a 2.0 flash drive. The 2.0 port can read/write both 2.0 and 3.0 flash drives
When I insert a 3.0 flash drive into a 3.0 port, the drive shows up in Windows Explorer (as E: or F:), but then I am unable to do anything else. I can't read the contents, can't format the drive, can't "safely eject". If I remove the flash drive, it will remain showing in Windows Explorer until I reboot.
In Device Manager, everything shows as working fine. Windows says all drivers are up-to-date. In Task Manager, I can see a process called USB 3.0 Monitor (nusb3mon.exe *32).
I have done several hours worth of experimentation and testing. I'm sure the problem is not with the flash drives.
Here is what I've done:
Experimented with different flash drives on different ports and on different machines. Narrowed it down to being a port problem on this machine.
Ran Dell system analysis. Drivers are up to date. Except it tells me to install 2 drivers that I've already installed. It recommends I install BIOS (already done that twice) and it recommends to install "Intel Management Interface Driver" R292744, which I have already done. Not sure why it's recommending those over and over.
Ran Dell Diagnostics. Everything passes, even the advanced USB test.
Ran the IOLO System Checkup. It cleaned up some registry clutter, emptied my recycle bin, cleaned up temporary internet files and fixed a "sign of corruption" on drive C:. Now chkdsk finds no problems with the drive.
Prior to this fresh install of Windows, I never tried USB 3.0 devices on this machine, so I can't say for certain whether or not this problem existed earlier.
I'm not an expert, but I have a feeling it's a driver or Windows Service issue. I'm stumped at this point what to do next.