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eots2
Contributor
Contributor

USB 3.0 devices won't connect in Workstation 8

Despite the fact that VMware claims Workstation 8 supports USB 3.0 devices, I can't get it to recognize my 1TB portable hard drive unless it's connected to a USB 2.0 port, if it's connected to a USB 3.0 port the guest OS fails to see the drive.   I've tried this with both Windows 7 and Ubuntu.

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a_p_
Leadership
Leadership

Which version of Ubuntu did you use?

from http://www.vmware.com/support/ws80/doc/releasenotes_workstation_80.html

USB 3.0 support is available for Linux guests running  kernel version 2.6.35 or later (Ubuntu 10.10) through a new virtual xHCI  USB controller. To enable this feature, add the following line to the .vmx file: usb_xhci.present = “true”. Do not enable this feature for Windows guests. Because Windows does not  currently have a generic xHCI driver, this feature will not work in  Windows

André

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eots2
Contributor
Contributor

It's a custom release of Ubuntu, version 2.30.2.  USB 3.0 doesn't work in a Windows 7 VM either.

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

if you read the lines posted by Andre you should see that neither your Windows 7 VM nor your Linux VM can use USB 3


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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eots2
Contributor
Contributor

So when does VMware plan to fix this major shotcoming?  USB 3.0 is in the main stream and in the near future PC manufacturers are going to stop making USB 2.0 ports entirely when USB 3.0 ports are fully backward compatible.

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RDPetruska
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Leadership

eots2 wrote:

So when does VMware plan to fix this major shotcoming?  USB 3.0 is in the main stream and in the near future PC manufacturers are going to stop making USB 2.0 ports entirely when USB 3.0 ports are fully backward compatible.

If you READ the release notes you will understand... it has NOTHING to do with VMware, but with the OS and drivers for USB 3.0!

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eots2
Contributor
Contributor

Lose the attitude!  There are USB 3.0 drivers for Windows 7, VMware just doesn't work with them!

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dash1b
Contributor
Contributor

Already there... just got a brand new Asus G75 with the expressed intent to do demonstrations using VMware and guess what?  All 4 USB ports are 3.0 with no way in the BIOS to force them otherwise!  And, it's an Intel controller with Intel USB 3.0 drivers.

So, now I can't connect any USB device to my running VMs... just wonderfu!!!

Seems kind of silly in 2012 that a company as big as VMware can't get their product to work generically with the 3.0 spec.  How did they do it with 2.0?

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eots2
Contributor
Contributor

VMware hasn't even fixed the lack of USB 3.0 support with Workstation 9.

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BlueCola
Contributor
Contributor

Just take a look at: http://communities.vmware.com/thread/418060?tstart=0.

Already made a ticket about if and when VMware is going to support any other USB 3.0 hosts than Intel, but they aren't taking this very serious.

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MonsterPIA
Contributor
Contributor

I'm in the same boat. Bought a new Asus G75 laptop that only has USB 3.0 ports and no way to force it to USB 2.0. I need USB support to connect several dongles to demonstrate and run software that requires them. I even went as far as buying the upgrade to Workstation 9 because it claimed “USB 3.0” support and there was nothing I could find (at the time) that limited it’s support only to a certain controller. After upgrading and seeing the same issue I realized there is nothing new in the USB 3.0 support over Workstation 8.

Now I’m going to have to travel with an IP USB hub. I don’t have any other option and it’s do late to go back to my old machine now. I hope VMware fixes this very soon.  

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dash1b
Contributor
Contributor

I discovered a workaround by accident.  I reinstalled a fresh Window 7 OS on my Asus G75 and installed all the drivers from Asus *except for* the USB drivers.  I let Windows use its native drivers and 'lo and behold', my VMWare guests now seem to recognize my usb devices.

That said, I don't know if I'm getting true 3.0 speeds but I've tried a USB stick advertised as 3.0 and it is recognized just fine in a Linux guest.

I do hope that a future update will fix the issue with the manufacturer drivers but for now, this seems to be working for me.

-Best of luck

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JTaps
Contributor
Contributor

I own a Dell XPS with 3 USB 3.0 ports.  Dell did not include the Windows 7 O/S diskettes with the laptop, so I cannot re-install the OS without the USB drivers.  Judging from the way in which the VMWare support specialist "abruptly" removed himself from this conversation, I'd have to assume they have no intention of providing a solution.  So, what are my options if I need a USB connection to my VM?

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MonsterPIA
Contributor
Contributor

I forgot about updating this thread but I found a solution that doesn't require reinstalling your host OS (as was mentioned by dash1b in post 11) if you installed the USB3 drivers from your vendor like I did with my Asus G75. I removed all the USB3 drivers and then removed all the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" in Device Manager and rebooted. After Windows found all the USB devices (took a few reboots) again I could do pass through USB devices to Workstation 9.

To summarize what your options are if you only have USB3 ports and Workstation does not support your Host USB3 controller:

Option 1: Remove your hardware manufacturer’s USB3 drivers, in my case Asus, from your Host OS. Remove all the USB devices and controllers from your Host OS. Reboot your Host OS and allow it to re-find/install all the USB device/controllers. DO NOT install your hardware manufacturer’s USB3 drivers.

Option 2: Reinstall your Host OS and DO NOT use the USB3 driver available from your hardware manufacturer. Use the generic Windows USB drivers.

Option3: Use a network enabled USB hub. I used one made by Belkin but they do not make them anymore. I have had good success with one from Silex as well but there are several different manufacturers of these device out there.

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