Question 1

How do I know if my mother board supports USB 3.0??
Is there instructions of how to install & where to plug in??

I have 2 computers I want to add this to.

Accepted Answer

If your computer does not currently have USB 3.0, this might not work for you.  I had to install a USB 3.0 PCI card first, then plug this into that card.  Also, the card that you install in the back needs to have the 20 pin port.

Question 2

I purchased this item and installed it in my computer.  I understood that it is compatible with USB 2.0, but after plugging it in, it is un-responsive. It won't even provide power to charge a phone.  Is this a common flaw or did it arrive DOA?

Accepted Answer

USB 2.0 devices should work fine with this provided the blue connector is plugged into a 19-pin keyed socket on the motherboard or controller card.

If the connector is plugged in properly, the things I would check are: 1) is "super-speed USB" or "USB 3.0" turned on in the BIOS and 2) is the USB 3.0 driver properly installed in the OS.

This is a passive device, meaning it's only wires, plastic and a little bit of metal.  It's hard to be DOA because there really isn't anything "alive" in the first place.  The only problem that could arise is bending one of the pins on the motherboard or controller card when plugging it in.  Unplug and check that the 19 pins are all straight and in good parallel rows.

Question 3

where to plug the 20 pins head?

Accepted Answer

The connector plugs into a header on the mother board. If you are adding this to a commercially purchased computer such as a Dell, HP, etc., the mother board may not have provisions for more USB 3.0 ports. I build my own computers and the mother boards (e.g. ASUS, Gigabyte, ASRock, etc.) will frequently (but not always depending on the board you buy) have both back panel and provisions for front panel USB 3.0 ports. The back panel ports are mounted on the mother board while the front panel ports plug into the header.

Question 4

I purchased and installed this item.  It says that it is compatible with USB 2.0, but when I plug in any 2.0 device, it does not work.  Not even power to charge a phone.  Is it possible that the item is DOA, or is there some other reason it is not working?

Accepted Answer

I believe compatibility means that it will work with a USB 2.0 device. The USB jack pair has to be plugged into a USB 3.0 connector on the motherboard. Sometimes power can be switched on and off in the motherboard BIOS.

Question 5

is this compatable (mount to) a  BYTECC Bracket-525 3.5" Drive/Device Transfer Bracket For 5.25" Drive Bay?

Accepted Answer

I didn't specifically try this in a 5.25 adapter, but in 30 years of building computers, I can't remember finding a USB 3.5 front panel that didn't fit in one. Hope this helps.

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