Resolved How to load VIA USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller 1.0 (Microsoft)

I have installed a 4-port USB 3.0 PCIe Card on my Desktop computer and have a problem getting the VIA USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller 1.0 (Microsoft) files to load. The way I do it now is to open Device Manager and then open the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section and Click on No Printer installed. (It actually is installed and switched on and works fine.)

Then I go to Action, and click Scan for Hardware Changes. Most of the time this does not work, but I have found that if I wait about half an hour and repeat the search then the VIA USB 3.0 appears in the list. I have also found that the two driver files, USBHCI.SYS and UsbXhciCompanion.dll are listed in the Driver properties and these two files are in the System32\Drivers and the Drivers\UMDF directories. When these are loaded any flash drive loaded in the Sabrent 4 port Hub, that is plugged into the PCIe Card, is recognised and can be accessed. Before this happens the Sabrent will supply power, e.g. to charge my iPhone..

My question is how can I get the drivers loaded to start the Card working when the computer boots up? I have Windows 10 PRO Ver. 21H1 and Intel Core i5-3470 in a Gigabyte Motherboard and the latest BIOS update that is a few years old.

 

Have you tried MS > Settings > Update and Security > Update Drivers from MS?
I'm surprised W10 hasn't recognized and loaded approved drivers already.

 

Thanks for the reply, retiredlearner. I have installed a number of updates since installing the card and the Sabrent and the desktop is completely up to date. I have never seen any drivers listed in the Drivers section of the MS update page though I always check when there is an update to be done. The card and the Sabrent are permanently connected and if I leave a flash drive in the Sabrent it is still not recognised until I do my search routine. Then it eventually recognises and loads the two files, the .sys and the .dll files. You will see that the VIA USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller is listed as a Microsoft driver and is in fact supplied by Microsoft. I have not found any reference to this on the VIA website.

There used to be a .ini file in Windows that had a lot of instructions. Is it still there?

 

The brand was not available when I bought it and there was no mention of a driver software for it. It is sometimes found by the Device Manager firmware and when it loads the two driver files, the .sys and the .dll files, mentioned above it works fine. What I need to know is why is it not seen when I 'Scan for Hardware Changes' and not loaded with all the other drivers when the computer boots up. The card is connected to the PSU by a 5 and 12volt connector and is fully powered and is in a PCI slot.

 

Have you looked in BIOS to see if USB 3 is enabled?

 

I have checked and there is no option for USB 3 in the BIOS that is version Fce dated 03/03/2014 but I have enabled all the other entries for USB support including Initial Enable for the Boot and POST operations. Is my MoBo pre USB 3?

I have also checked the .ini files and there does not appear to be anything there that points to USB of any kind. There may be something I don't know how to identify. Maybe supergeek TonyT knows of a software hack?

 

Hi Arthur, do you see this symbol next to your USB port/s on you PC?
This is an HP mark for Super Speed meant to indicate USB 3 capable.
I found this doing a Google from the info on your Profile Page. (is this current?)
USB 3 has been around since 2008.

 

Never seen that symbol anywhere. I am not using my laptop for this. It is a PC and apart from this problem it works very well and is very fast. There is no situation where I have seen any reference to USB 3 ports either in Device Manager, File Explorer or anywhere. I have found that the card and USB 3 Sabrent are not identified in System or USB sections of Device Manager and it has stopped loading the card as it used to. I think I will just have to accept the USB 2 speeds and maybe take the card out.

so unless there are any more bright ideas I shall very soon mark this as Solved and say that it was done by removing the card.

 

Many USB 3 cards are iffy. Tried to upgrade my USB 2 computer system to USB 3, a couple of years back, by plugging in a card but the system failed to recognise it. Returned it & living peacefully with whatever is built in the computer ie. USB 2

 

I think I agree with rsinfo so will just manage with USB 2. I don't really need USB 3 anyway. USB 3 Card removed. Problem solved.

 

FWIW, I remember doing an upgrade in W98 to 2nd version which required new USB Controller Drivers. Ring any bells with you guys?

 

Those were the wild west days of Windows. Each & everything needed drivers to be supplied by the vendor. Things have improved by leap & bound in current Windows but still some obstacles remain.