USB 3.0 port stops randomly

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by arlawson83, Jul 1, 2024.

  1. arlawson83

    arlawson83 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 23, 2021
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    I have a Dell Inspiron 17R N7110 laptop that has a weird USB 3.0 issue. Anytime I plus anything into the USB 3.0 port it stops working after about 10 minutes. If it's an external drive it stops and windows won't release the drive or drive letter for me to plug it into a 2.0 port. I have to fully restart windows to gain access to the port again. The Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Utility is installed and I have unchecked the "allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option. Is there something that I can do to fix this?

    I have tried this on windows 7, 8.1, 10 and 11 so it's not an OS issue.
     
  2. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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  3. WindowsGeek

    WindowsGeek MDL Expert

    Jun 30, 2015
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    Could be HW issue the port could be bad, but first make sure you're running the proper driver.
     
  4. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    But how did you get a USB 3.0 port on your computer in the first place, the original one doesn't have it? It's just such an old computer that there's no way you're going to pop it in there just like that. So how did it get there?
     
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  5. arlawson83

    arlawson83 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 23, 2021
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    I just bought this laptop off eBay about 2 months ago and I've never opened it up. Do you thing the seller did something to this machine?
     

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  6. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

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  7. Doman

    Doman MDL Novice

    May 11, 2015
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  8. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

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    There's no point in putting more RAM than 6GB on this computer, and even then it almost never uses that to its full potential. 16GB is completely meaningless, if you use Windows 10, you can put 8GB, but it is not necessary, because it will never fully use it.
     
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  9. arlawson83

    arlawson83 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 23, 2021
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    This laptop came with 8GB of ram, but it runs slow as hell. I thought more ram would help the system. Am I wrong about that?
     
  10. shhnedo

    shhnedo MDL Expert

    Mar 20, 2011
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    Do you mind sharing the processor model?
     
  11. Doman

    Doman MDL Novice

    May 11, 2015
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    Well, considering the age of this laptop i assume you not payed really that much for it i think/hope? ;)
    But yes, that unexpected USB3 issue is really disappointing/annoying.:mad:
    "Slow as hell", well everything is relative of course.
    That Dell I have here works snappy enough with a I3-2310M and only 4GB memory for regular tasks as browsing/youtube/office.
    As noted 8 GB should be plenty enough to run Windows comfortable, more memory brings you nothing in this situation.
    The most important factor is the SSD really.
    Just check your system/task manager what is taking up resources and causing your system to be "slow".
    To be sure run some benchmark on your SSD with something like crystaldisk?
     
  12. arlawson83

    arlawson83 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 23, 2021
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    Mine came with an i7-2630QM, 8GB of ram and a 250gb Kingfast SSD. I wonder if something is wrong with that SSD.

    I think I paid $70 plus $20 for shipping.

    The memory hog is chrome unfortunately
     
  13. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

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    #16 kaljukass, Jul 15, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2024
    You just forgot to mention that you bought a Refurbished computer, where some RAM was added and the processor was changed, old HDD replaced with SSD, but the motherboard, BIOS, etc. are the same or old.
    And there is nothing to update or change. This is already the best you can get. You can't forget that this PC was made for Windows 7 about 12+ years ago.
     
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  14. shhnedo

    shhnedo MDL Expert

    Mar 20, 2011
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    What you must do is test the ssd with either Victoria, HDD Sentinel or a similar program. It might be degraded and that's where you lose performance in this config. I still own a v3-571g with a 3632QM/8GB DDR3/GT730M/240GB SSD. It runs more than fine.
    Not really sure how reliable of a brand Kingfast is. I've seen SiliconPower ssds and ram modules fail at almost a weekly rate(sold new in the store, come back for RMA). If yours ends up having defects, just replace it with a decent (preferably new) one.
    Your USB ports not working may very well be worn out outer casing of the port itself, or the plastic tab in the middle that holds all the pins. It might also be bad solder joints, but you'd need to actually open the laptop and maybe take out the motherboard(depending which side the joints are on).
     
  15. Edsons

    Edsons MDL Novice

    Apr 19, 2024
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    3 dell precision t3610 gave me issues with usb3 ports. It looks dell has this problem everywere. Usb 2 worked fine. Usb 3 only power no data
    Is not a windows os issue. It doesnt even recognize usb 3 at boot. Its a firmware issue.
     
  16. arlawson83

    arlawson83 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 23, 2021
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    Just ran the test with both programs:

    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg
     
  17. shhnedo

    shhnedo MDL Expert

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    Well this SSD is bad... Replace it.