Macbook 2015 12inch Retina with USB-C

[wahlfeld]

Hey all, has there been any updates on this issue?

I imagine the number of support tickets is going to go through the roof is this issue isn't fixed soon since all the new Macbooks only have USBC ports.

If you can please refer to my post(s) above.

Basically upon restart, USB2 and USB3 devices work. If unplugged and replugged then only USB2 devices work.

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by wahlfeld

Hey all, has there been any updates on this issue?

I imagine the number of support tickets is going to go through the roof is this issue isn't fixed soon since all the new Macbooks only have USBC ports.

If you can please refer to my post(s) above.

Basically upon restart, USB2 and USB3 devices work. If unplugged and replugged then only USB2 devices work.

Hi Whafield,

It's not clear to me what the USB topology is.
You mentioned DisplayLink Ethernet but it looks like a RealTek USB to Ethernet product is connected.
Also, the DisplayLink device connected is a Targus dock and I'm not sure the 8ware device has actually a DisplayLink chip in it: I have found no reference to DisplayLink drivers in their website.

So I'm wondering how the monitor is connected.
Can you please clarify how everything is connected? Logs would help too: http://support.displaylink.com/knowl...to-displaylink

Best regards,
Carlo

[wahlfeld]

Originally Posted by Carlo

Hi Whafield,

It's not clear to me what the USB topology is.
You mentioned DisplayLink Ethernet but it looks like a RealTek USB to Ethernet product is connected.
Also, the DisplayLink device connected is a Targus dock and I'm not sure the 8ware device has actually a DisplayLink chip in it: I have found no reference to DisplayLink drivers in their website.

So I'm wondering how the monitor is connected.
Can you please clarify how everything is connected? Logs would help too: http://support.displaylink.com/knowl...to-displaylink

Best regards,
Carlo

Alright, see below links for some photos of the setup. Plus, I've attached logs from that DisplayLink tool in the working and not working scenario. Let me know if you want me to do anything else.

http://i.imgur.com/AdQJT0X.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/p7w0Cg6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t0XNpwB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/joZxn73.jpg

Thanks Carlo!

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by wahlfeld

Alright, see below links for some photos of the setup. Plus, I've attached logs from that DisplayLink tool in the working and not working scenario. Let me know if you want me to do anything else.

http://i.imgur.com/AdQJT0X.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/p7w0Cg6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t0XNpwB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/joZxn73.jpg

Thanks Carlo!

Thank you,

OK so the USB-C device is used as a C-to-A adapter and everything is connected to the Targus dock, which is handy so there's only one cable to connect.
The main issue is visible in both the DisplayLink and the system logs: at some point the USB 3 part of the hub in the Targus dock disappears.
In the DisplayLink logs this is shown as transfer errors and device unavailable. In the system log you can see transfer and wake errors in both USB2 and USB3 devices and then only the USB2 part of the hub is reset while the USB 3.0 part of the hub is longer there, together with the DisplayLink device.

USB 3 is difficult hardware-wise because of both higher speed and more advanced power management so looks like something is borderline in your use case and fails.
I'd think about the USB-C adapter as the first thing to try and replace, but you may also want to try with a different, shorter, USB cable between the Targus and the adapter.

A separate issue is with the monitor. I'm seeing 8 different monitor description files so unless you are trying eight different monitors it is likely that there is a problem connecting to the monitor. Most likely the connection, I'd check the DVI cable.

Bes regards,
Carlo

[wahlfeld]

Originally Posted by Carlo

Thank you,

OK so the USB-C device is used as a C-to-A adapter and everything is connected to the Targus dock, which is handy so there's only one cable to connect.
The main issue is visible in both the DisplayLink and the system logs: at some point the USB 3 part of the hub in the Targus dock disappears.
In the DisplayLink logs this is shown as transfer errors and device unavailable. In the system log you can see transfer and wake errors in both USB2 and USB3 devices and then only the USB2 part of the hub is reset while the USB 3.0 part of the hub is longer there, together with the DisplayLink device.

USB 3 is difficult hardware-wise because of both higher speed and more advanced power management so looks like something is borderline in your use case and fails.
I'd think about the USB-C adapter as the first thing to try and replace, but you may also want to try with a different, shorter, USB cable between the Targus and the adapter.

A separate issue is with the monitor. I'm seeing 8 different monitor description files so unless you are trying eight different monitors it is likely that there is a problem connecting to the monitor. Most likely the connection, I'd check the DVI cable.

Bes regards,
Carlo

Hey Carlo thanks for the quick and detailed reply,

Just as a bit of context, I work in an office environment with hotdesks - some desks have two monitors and some have one. But all desks have the same peripherals and LAN connection. A colleague of mine has recently started using a Macbook Pro 13" (older model) and she hasn't had any of the issues I'm having which is why I thought it's either a problem with drivers or the USB-C adapter.

I'm sure you understand that these adapters aren't cheap, so I'm a bit reluctant to go out and buy another one just for testing. I might have to wait until I come across someone else with a different adapter to try.

EDIT: Unless I get something like this?
EDIT2: Bought an Apple USB-C to USB adapter this morning and it doesn't work either (see attachment + link below)

http://i.imgur.com/hn8ZtQW.jpg

Out of interest, do you know if others are having problems with their adapters? Any of which using the newest Macbooks?

Thanks,
Curtis

[Carlo]

Hi wahlfeld,

In my tests with the first-gen MacBook the adapter with video from Apple was flaky with some devices but the simpler C-to-A one you just got worked well.
We are also testing with the current MacBook and we're not seeing these issues.
So it is likely something specific with your setup... the Targus dock is a known entity, has been in the market for ages and since you are hot desking you have quite a lot of these around and I assume you don't see different behaviour with specific ones.

Could be a batch of longer USB3 cables that IT put in to hide the dock and cable mess behind the desk maybe?

We have this dock model in our lab, we'll give it a go with a MacBook8,1 and USB C-to-A adapter to double check.

Best regards,
Carlo

[wahlfeld]

Originally Posted by Carlo

Hi wahlfeld,

In my tests with the first-gen MacBook the adapter with video from Apple was flaky with some devices but the simpler C-to-A one you just got worked well.
We are also testing with the current MacBook and we're not seeing these issues.
So it is likely something specific with your setup... the Targus dock is a known entity, has been in the market for ages and since you are hot desking you have quite a lot of these around and I assume you don't see different behaviour with specific ones.

Could be a batch of longer USB3 cables that IT put in to hide the dock and cable mess behind the desk maybe?

We have this dock model in our lab, we'll give it a go with a MacBook8,1 and USB C-to-A adapter to double check.

Best regards,
Carlo

Appreciate all the effort Carlo and others.

You're correct about not seeing different behaviour depending on the desk. Every desk is the same, where the dock will work the first time after a restart every time. As soon as it's unplugged from my Mac, none of the docks work until I make a restart.

I don't quite understand how the length of the cable could play a part here. My colleague with a Macbook Pro doesn't have any issues, and I don't have any issues with the dock when it's working. Like I said, the problem is that the USB3 devices like LAN and any monitors will fail after I've disconnected and reconnected.

If I'm getting the same outcome regardless of the dock (and cable) or the USB-C/A adapter, and the docks are working consistently with non-Macbooks, then surely that must mean it's software related or specifically my Macbook, right?

Ah I dunno, let me know how you go in the lab.

Thanks again,
Curtis