VIA has released a new version of it's USB Filter Driver.
Dubbed version 1.10 the new version replaces the long standing version 1.08. The
driver is intended to correct problems with onboard VIA USB host
controllers.
Previous versions of the VIA USB filter driver, including
the 1.08, have been far less than effective at correcting problematic
VIA USB. Compounding the ineffectiveness of the driver is the
controversy that surrounds its use. The VIA web site often says one
thing while VIA technicians, when you can talk to one, say exactly
the opposite. The official written information changes as often
as the links on the web site.
USB has never been a strong suit for any non-Intel based
motherboard. Onboard USB 1.1 function is controlled by the
Southbridge of a motherboards chipset. Therefore, Intel boards have
Intel USB host controllers and VIA boards have VIA USB host controllers
etc.. All newer AMD systems use motherboards with either VIA, ALi, SiS
or AMD chipsets. VIA is, by far, the most popular among these
platforms and as such, the most problematic. For the most part,
non-Intel based motherboards are cheaper, offer a wide variety of
overclocking and tweaking features and last, but certainly not least, they
support AMD processors.
Unfortunately, far too many of these screaming, new, highly
rated, overclockable, AMD systems are plagued by their inability to provide
proper connectivity for USB game controllers, scanners, printers,
cameras, modems or even optical mice.
Although, overclocking is often part of the problem,
(setting the FSB to a higher value increases the speed of the PCI bus
to a value greater than default, the increased speed often causes USB to
choke), far too many non-overclocked VIA systems
have non or mal-functioning USB as well. Making matters worse,
VIA has never admitted to having a problem with USB. Alas, the forum boards
tell a different story. The USB-IF
Public Forum and USBMan
Q&A Forum are replete with pleadings from VIA system owners with USB
maladies. USBMan even has a
special page dedicated to VIA
USB.
In the last two years, I've personally written dozens of
emails to VIA tech support, left my card at their show booth, talked to
their representatives in person and even wrote several times to the
President of VIA, WenChi Chen. VIA has yet to follow-up or properly
respond.
Hopefully, the new VIA USB Filter Driver will provide a fix
for some users. I have my well founded doubts.
To the owners of VIA boards with problematic USB: Good
Luck, with the new filter driver, you'll need it.
From the credit where it's due department: SiS and ALi
are equally troublesome when it comes to respective onboard USB offerings. Neither has
provided a fix or acknowledges the problem.
Read the Readme
File Attached to the Driver
More information on VIA USB at USBMan
Download latest VIA
USB Filter Patch v.1.10
Jeff Roberts
USBMan
/ USBNews
03-06-02
