14 DAY TRIAL // Early adopters currently running the first public testing release of Windows 8 might come across various issues when connecting USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices to a machine running the operating system. Microsoft has confirmed a few problems that testers can encounter while using Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3), which was launched approximately two weeks ago.
As the software giant already revealed, Windows 8 would also introduce native support for USB 3.0 in addition to playing nice with USB 2.0.
A wide variety of new computers already ship with both USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, and USB 3.0 devices are expected to experience an explosion in terms of usage starting with 2012.
One example of a glitch that Windows 8 early adopters can experience is related to USB display devices, Microsoft said.
“USB display devices will not function, regardless of whether they are connected to USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports. Updated drivers, when available, should resolve this issue,” the company explained.
Some testers might also have problems when attempting to use USB peripherals with the Windows 8 Developer Preview.
“Mice and keyboards connected to USB 3.0 ports in computers that provide USB 3.0 with an add-in card (that is USB that is not integrated on the motherboard) often cannot wake the system. If you need to be able to wake the system with the mouse or keyboard, ensure that it is connected to either a USB 2.0 host controller or a USB 3.0 host controller that is integrated on the motherboard,” the company noted.
Leveraging the USB 2.0 port instead of the USB 3.0 could also be a temporary solution that allows early Windows 8 adopters to get additional devices working under normal parameters.
“Some devices may not enumerate or function as expected when connected to a USB 3.0 port. Connecting these devices to a USB 2.0 port should resolve the issue until updated drivers are available,” Microsoft said.
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.