How to convert PCI-E on GA-G31M-ES2C motherboard to USB3.0 ?

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normalnorman

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Apr 6, 2017
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Hello,

I am using the onboard graphics on my "GA-G31M-ES2C Rev1.0" motherboard. I have installed a brand new "Astrum PCI-E to USB3.0 expansion card". It has 4 x USB 3.0 ports (Model Number is Astrum ss-pci 3.0).

The Astrum Expansion card comes with a small CD disk to install the software on my "Windows XP Pro 32bit (Service Pack 3)" computer.

I inserted the "Astrum PCI-E to USB3.0 expansion card" into the vacant PCI-E slot. I then proceeded to install the software that came with the Astrum Expansion Card.

Problem:
Unfortunately, I receive the following error message early during the installation process:

"Sorry, the install wizard can't find the supported hardware in your system. You should check your hardware and try again. Please press OK to terminate the install wizard."

After I press "OK", then the following message is returned by the Installation software:

"VIA XHCI Host Controller Software Package V0.97
The Wizard was interrupted before VIA XHCI Host Controller Software Setup Wizard could be completely installed"

I am fortunately able to use the USB 3.0 slots for my mouse, keyboard, and speakers without problems. Unfortunately, the Astrum expansion card will not detect any of my USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 flash drives. (Fortunately, the original onboard USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard continues to read all of my USB flash drives, and there are no errors reported in Windows Device Manager).

I would be most appreciative if somebody could advise me on how to overcome the install wizard's inability to detect the supported hardware, so that I can complete the installation procedure and use the USB 3.0 Expansion card for my USB flash drives.

For your convenience I am providing urls to the motherboards information on Gigabytes website, directly below:

http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-G31M-ES2C-rev-1x#ov
http://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-G31M-ES2C-rev-1x#sp

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Thank you.
 
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Lutfij

Lutfij

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Oct 7, 2009
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1| Can you list your fulls system's specs as:
CPU:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:

2| Have you made sure your motherboard BIOS is up to date?

3| Have you made sure your motherboard device drivers(namely chipset) are up to date?

4| I get directed to a Startech product link, can you please pass on a link to your add-on USB3.0 card?
 
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
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Card is listed as Speed up to 5Gbps on USB 3.0. No information on if it works in a PCIe 1 slot.

Since G31 Chipset has no PCIe 2.0, the maximum speed thru the PCIe slot would be 2.5Gbps. Not much point in using USB 3.0 on such an old model motherboard.

Not being detected is often caused by not having the card inserted straight or completely into the slot.
 
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normalnorman

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Apr 6, 2017
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My Replies to your requests:

1)
  • CPU: Intel Pentium E6300 @ 2.80GHz Wolfdale 45nm Technology
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. G31M-S2C (Socket 775)
  • RAM: 4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 400MHz (5-5-5-16)
  • Hard Drive: 320GB Western Digital WDC WD3200AAJS-00VWA0 (SATA) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s
  • Graphics: SMS19A100 (1366x768@60Hz) Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
  • PSU: ATX-300PA (RoHS Compliant) 300 Watts ATX12V-2.2 Switching Power Supply (Manufacturer: Sparkle Power Inc. )
  • OS: MS Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

2) Yes, I have updated the BIOS to the latest available version (namely F8)

3) Yes, all motherboard chipset device drivers are up to date.

4) Astrum's website has been inaccessible for at least the last few days. If you go to the following url and look at the second image for the same product, you will see the layout of the identical card to the one that I have. (hover your mouse over the various product images in the top left corner of the page. The second image will display the text "...image 2" in the title tag when you hover over the relevant image).

http://www.laptopdirect.co.za/Astrum-A84524-S-p-92987.php

If you can tell me how to upload an image to this post/thread, then I will provide you with photographs of the front and back of the packaging and the relevant expansion card.

The Packaging for the Astrum SS-PCI 3.0 card stipulates the following:
PCI-E To USB3.0
Super Speed 5Gbps 4*USB3.0 ports.

Features:
- Supports simultaneous operation of multiple USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices
- One available PCI Express slot (Recommended PCI Express 2.0)
- Built-in 4-pin power connector for receiving extra power supply from system.
- Supports the following speed data rates as Follows: Low -speed (1.5Mbps) / Full-speed (12Mbps) / High-speed (480Mbps) / Super-speed (5Gbps).
- Support Windows XP / Vista / 7 (32/64bit)
- Compatible with: MP3 Player, Portable Game, Speaker, Card Reader, Flash Memory, Microphone, Mobile Phone.
www.astrumltd.com

I have gone through the BIOS to check to see if anything must be enabled that is disabled. I have also disabled my firewall, anti-virus, and rebooted the computer, etc.

I understand that the G31 chipset has no PCIe 2.0, but the expansion card should still work with my PCIe 1 slot. I could do with the extra USB slots, even if they only run at USB 2.0 speeds. Currently the expansion card works when I plug speakers, mouse, and keyboard into it. But it will not detect any USB flash drives. I assume this is because the "VIA XHCI Host Controller Software" wizard is abandoning the installation process because it cannot find the Hardware (Expansion Card).

The Expansion card is tightly seated and works for all devices already mentioned, except for USB flash drives.

Further assistance/advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.


 
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normalnorman

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Apr 6, 2017
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Hi,

Thanks for responding.

I understand that I will not experience USB 3.0 speeds with the G31 Chipset lacking PCIe 2.0. However, I do need the extra USB slots that the expansion card offers, because the current USB slots on the Chassis are all clustered together. My USB modem is so fat, that it blocks any other USB devices from being inserted near it :(

The expansion card is securely seated in the PCIE_1 slot, and is able to provide power to USB keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Unfortunately, USB flash drives are not seen at all by the system when inserted into USB slots on the expansion card.



 
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normalnorman

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Apr 6, 2017
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510


Thank you for responding.

Yes, I understand, and I will settle for USB 2.0 as I can do with the extra USB slots. The Expansion card comes with an installation disk for Windows XP / Vista / 7 (32/64bit).

 
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