USB 3.0 on HP DC 5700 Compaq with PCI-E x1?

[claustrophobist]

I have an HP DC5700 Compaq Server (The horizontal, not vertical, version). It only has a single PCI-E X1 port, as far as I know. I bought a NEC/Renesys based USB 3.0 PCI-E card, but the system won't recognise it (BIOS or Windows). It does power devices however, so it is not a power issue.

This is the system: https://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/hp-compaq-dc5700-small-form-factor-pc/3249646/drivers

This is the card I bought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01B3Z9RDG/ (see below for further links)

The system runs a triple XP/7/8.1 boot on an SSD + 250 GB HDD, with no problems otherwise. It has 4GB RAM, and the stock 240W supply. Nothing appears in Device Manager, and BIOS does not see anything either. I have already checked that it is sitting well.

Here is the computer's manual from HP: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00765893
Here is the computer's service reference manual: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00800709
And here is the full setup guide by HP: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01314835

Ideally I want both USB slots on the back, as well as the ability to connect with front panel device.

I believe it may be the limited 1x protocol. Is there any product that I can order that will work with my system?

Some further information:

1. This appears to be the exact card model I have, including specifications. It seems to support X1 fine, so I shouldn't have had any problems. It also states Windows XP support out of the box with provided drivers, so again I do not think having Windows XP installed on my system makes any difference. https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Cards/2-Port-PCI-Express-SuperSpeed-USB-3-Card-Adapter~PEXUSB3S2

This is the manual: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/sets/PEXUSB3S2_Manual/PEXUSB3S2.pdf
And the datasheet: https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/sets/PEXUSB3S2_Manual/PEXUSB3S2.pdf

2. I have updated my BIOS from 2.04 to 2.09, hoping that an update would fix the issue. The HP website is unclear, and they use odd BIOS versions. There seems to be a version 4.xx, but it is dated as older than 2.09. Since 2.09 was closest to my BIOS numbering system, I chose that. However, there has been no change or improvement in regards to this problem.

3a. Some extra useful information I have discovered. One use at Tom's Hardware said that this system "doesn't have a true PCI-Express slot - and no AGP"[http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/262077-33-recommendation-dual-video-card].

3b. I also found a user having problems with the Renesas USB 3.0 cards on HP Compaq series computers. Different version from mine however, and his system seemed to at least recognize the device at first. [http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3584693/usb-pci-card-driver-occasionally-loads.html]

4. My computer seems to support PCI-E 1.1 protocol cards. Could this be affecting my setup?

 

[GhislainG]

You don't see a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager and you can't install the drivers? Your only option may be to try another controller that is known to work in that SFF desktop PC.

 

[claustrophobist]

Thank you for this. Can you, or someone, recommend a controller that is known to work? I thought it would be easy, but it is not.

There is no yellow exclamation mark. Speccy shows the PCI-E slot as empty (no device attached) so it is not recognized at all. BIOS does not see it either.

 

[GhislainG]

Do you absolutely need USB 3.0 on such an old PC? If so, then you need a PCI Express 1.1 compatible adapter; the one you bought is 2.0 compatible. https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Cards/2-Port-PCI-Express-SuperSpeed-USB-3-Card-Adapter~PEXUSB3S2 also is 2.0 compatible; when you click View more it clearly says "Compliant with PCI Express 2.0 specifications".

I haven't found a USB 3.0 controller compatible with PCI Express 1.1 and I presume they don't exist simply because there is very limited market for it.

 

[claustrophobist]

Do you absolutely need USB 3.0 on such an old PC? If so, then you need a PCI Express 1.1 compatible adapter; the one you bought is 2.0 compatible. https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Cards/2-Port-PCI-Express-SuperSpeed-USB-3-Card-Adapter~PEXUSB3S2 also is 2.0 compatible; when you click View more it clearly says "Compliant with PCI Express 2.0 specifications".

I haven't found a USB 3.0 controller compatible with PCI Express 1.1 and I presume they don't exist simply because there is very limited market for it.

Can you kindly have a look at these ones?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0042U52KC/ref=nav_signin?ie=UTF8&condition=all&

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CFD2AL6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3UF8PXQ6LV5KE&coliid=I1K4JFG86U5FBQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Add-2-x-Super-speed-USB-3-0-ports-to-your-desktop-PC-via-PCIE-1-slot-up-to-5Gbps/332595962314?hash=item4d7043a1ca:g:8-4AAOSwh41atQAv

 

[GhislainG]

The first one says "pci express 2.0" - not compatible.

The second one says "To achieve the maximum throughput, the PCI-Express slot must be version 2.0 or higher." - it may be compatible with PCI Express 1.0; contact the seller to make sure.

The third one has no info at all and we can't even see a picture of the chipset; I'd skip that one.

The second one, like the one you bought, needs a SATA cable to provide power; I presume you didn't forget to provide power to the controller.

 

[claustrophobist]

The first one says "pci express 2.0" - not compatible.

The second one says "To achieve the maximum throughput, the PCI-Express slot must be version 2.0 or higher." - it may be compatible with PCI Express 1.0; contact the seller to make sure.

The third one has no info at all and we can't even see a picture of the chipset; I'd skip that one.

The second one, like the one you bought, needs a SATA cable to provide power; I presume you didn't forget to provide power to the controller.

Thank you very much. Yes, I did connect the SATA power cable. In fact that was about the only thing that worked. I will contact the seller of the second card. Thanks yet again!

 

[GhislainG]

Did you ever consider upgrading to a better system that includes USB 3.0 ports?

 

[claustrophobist]

Did you ever consider upgrading to a better system that includes USB 3.0 ports?

With all due respect, no I did not. This is a very old system which costed me less than £25, and which I primarily use to run outdated or unsupported old software (especially for XP), including mobile phone tools. It is strictly used for repairs, back-up, and other tech related tasks. It is not a daily driver. I need the USB 3.0 to improve transfer speeds from external drives.

 

[GhislainG]

You'll hopefully find an adapter and drivers that work in that PC. What is the chipset on the one that you bought?

 

[claustrophobist]

You'll hopefully find an adapter and drivers that work in that PC. What is the chipset on the one that you bought?

The CD media that came with it provides drivers for the Renesas Electronics uPD720201 & uPD720202 cards. I presume it is that. Supposedly fully supports XP and later, and it is a model from 2012.

 

[GhislainG]

It fully supports XP, but since it's PCIe 2.0, it isn't hardware compatible your old PCIe 1.1 PC; that's why it won't work at all. Your challenge will be to find a USB 3.0 adapter compatible with PCIe 1.1 simply because there's extremely limited market for that combination.

If you really need faster transfer speeds, why not consider eSATA if at least one SATA port is free? You'll have to connect the external drive before powering on the PC because no port can be configured as a hot plugging, but it will work.

 

[claustrophobist]

Do you absolutely need USB 3.0 on such an old PC? If so, then you need a PCI Express 1.1 compatible adapter; the one you bought is 2.0 compatible. https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adap...press-SuperSpeed-USB-3-Card-Adapter~PEXUSB3S2 also is 2.0 compatible; when you click View more it clearly says "Compliant with PCI Express 2.0 specifications".

I haven't found a USB 3.0 controller compatible with PCI Express 1.1 and I presume they don't exist simply because there is very limited market for it.

Can you kindly have a look at these ones?

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: 2-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCI Express x1 Controller Card - Add Two USB 3.0 Ports to Your PC!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CFD2...TF8&colid=3UF8PXQ6LV5KE&coliid=I1K4JFG86U5FBQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Add-2-x-...962314?hash=item4d7043a1ca:g:8-4AAOSwh41atQAv

I know this took a long while but I never found a solution.

I'm not sure if it is the quality of components that is the problem but I got one of those cards which had severe issues with power draw. It would run USB sticks ok, but wouldn't see hard drives at all - even those externally powered. So I gave up on this altogether.