Alienware X51 USB 3.0 ports run at 2.1/2.0 speed

Moving this thread to the Alienware Owners Club Forum.
  
Bev.

Try upgrading the FW -

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&cs=19&docid=439267

It still says 2.1 for speed in USBDeview and the notification still pops up when I plugged it in.

Hello VincentA! 

Have you tried different devices 3.0 on that port, to check if it’s the external hdd or if it’s the port the one that is giving you the issue?

I don't have any other USB 3.0 devices, I could have tried if I had one.

Have you test the external hdd in another computer to check if you facing the same problem?

As a work around you can uninstall the 3.0 driver and download the latest version from www.support.dell.com

I haven't tested the external HDD in another computer because I don't have any other computer that has USB 3.0 ports on them. I uninstalled the 3.0 driver and installed the latest version and the same thing pops up.

Are you definitely using a USB 3.0 cable? They are different, but you can use a 2.0 cable in a 3.0 device which would cause what you're seeing.

Also are you absolutely sure you're connecting to one of the blue 3.0 ports, as I never see this message unless I accidentally plug my 3.0 USB stick into the wrong one.

I'm definitely using a USB 3.0 cable and plugging it in to a USB 3.0 port. This is my USB 3.0 ports and this is my USB 3.0 External HDD. My external HDD is a FreeAgent GoFlex Drive 1 TB and with a USB 3.0 Upgrade Cable. Here are some info in USBDeview if it helps.

I think there is something wrong with my external HDD. My external HDD is connected to the computer and when I try moving files there, it takes awhile (a few minutes) to finish moving that item, even though the progress bar is full. Then, sometimes, it will disconnect even though it's plugged in. I replugged the external HDD to the USB 3.0 and it wouldn't detect it. I plugged the external HDD into a USB 2.0 port and it works fine, no freezing when moving files. When I plugged a USB 2.0 flash drive into the USB 3.0 port, it was detected and working fine. I will try and contact Seagate and see what they can do for me.

I have the same problem, I have a 3.0 drive that works on other 3.0 port in the house and therefore drive and cable are fine.  The computer was just reformatted with win 7 pro 64 bit.  Can you help?

Hi Vincent,

Did you end up finding a solution to your problem? I am keen to know as I have the same issue. I have recently bought an Alienware x51 R2 and ran a diagnostic which says all my drivers are up-to-date. Yet when running USBDeview utility it shows no USB ports as 3.0, even though msinfo32 shows that they are in the system.

I know this is a year old but....

I too have the same issue, I have reformatted and still my USB 3.0 runs as fast if not slower than USB 2.0. I have many USB 3.0 devices and my other computers I get write speeds over 60mbs at times.. Where as this X51 starts out at maybe 20mbs and then immediately drops to 2.xxx mbs which is driving me crazy. I am running win 7 64bit for the last couple years and recently upgraded to windows 10 64bit and problem still there...  

Any help ?

Same issue here. Win 7 64 bits, all updated.

if you dont have this driver, please install it : 

make sure you are using the last BIOS: you can install the latest from here: 

and install this USB 3.0 driver for your Desktop:

if it doesnt work, you can try by going to device manager, and this is going to be belated:

right clic on each device and select: search for updates. is painful, but it could fix your problem :)

let me know if it solved your problem :)