Windows8 Dell USB 3.0 Dock freezes mouse, monitor, ethernet

[Splinx]

Hi Guys,

I have definitely sorted this issue with external USB docks running under Windows 8 (64 bit). The issue lays firmly with the host controller drivers and not the external devices themselves!

The issue is 100% a result of the native windows driver for the USB 3.0 eXtensible host driver and Microsoft's and Intel's lack of any interest to fix their own driver.

Give this customised Windows7 driver a whirl and let me know if your issues are resolved: Windows 8 (64) USB 3.0 Extensible host driver

It worked a treat for me on my Dell XP13 (L322X).

Credits to this post out on part of the solution a lot!

Thanks,
Splinx


Overview of the fix process

• bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
• bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON
• Reboot
• Install driver (detailed instructions below) and then...
• bcdedit -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
• bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
• reboot

Detailed notes on installing the custom Windows 8 driver

1. You can only install these drivers when you are in Test mode (indicated bottom right of the desktop background)
2. Run the commands in RED, above, in a command prompt elevated to admin mode.
3. Locate the “Intel® USB 3.0 eXtrensible Host Controller…” (found under “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”.
4. Right-click – “Update driver software…”
5. Brows my computer
6. Let me pick from a list
7. Point at the directory from the attached file.
8. IMPORTANT - After this is installed you will lose connectivity on any devices connected via USB
9. After you have installed this driver “scan for hardware changes”
10. There should be another “unsupported driver” – “Intel USB 3.0 Root hub”
11. Right-click on this driver and update the driver – poiting at your install directory (this time you DON’T have to choose “let me pick from a list of…”
12. After installing drivers run the commands above in green (in admin mode)
13. Reboot and enjoy!

You may also want to ensure that you have the latest display link driver for your device although I'm pretty sure that the display link (or in fact Kensington) drivers are fine and the problem is with the USB host controller.

Enjoy and let me know if it worked for you!