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UM5304TA does not support some USB3-compatible USB4 devices

Blueskull
Star III
UM5304TA does not seems to support USB4, as I've learned the hard way, and I'm fine with it. However, the implementation which disables USB4 is buggy, as it also bans USB4 devices with USB3 support. My CalDigit TS4 dock is USB3 compatible, and it can be used perfectly with just an A to C cable, but it fails to be even enumerated on my UM5304TA.

When I plug the dock directly to the computer, nothing happens. Dmesg shows nothing (I use Linux), and the LED on the dock remains dark. However, if I plug the duck using C to A adapter then an A to C cable, it works fine, albeit without PCIe tunneling capability and display output capability, which is a PITA. I do not care about PCIe anymore, but DP over Type C should be supported, but clearly on this machine it doesn't, unless your device is USB3-only and does not advertise USB4/TBT3 capability at all.

This leads me to believe the lack of USB4 support is not a BIOS decision, but a deliberate disabling. The type C port controller (likely a TI or Cypress chip every 2 ports) is likely being installed a firmware which rejects all devices advertising TBT3 capability from enumerating. Asus can decide what feature to open to the user, but if you want to neuter a feature, please at least do it correctly.

Not only USB4-specific features don't work, this device refuses to work with USB3 and 4 compatible devices too. This is a serious bug, please fix it. I'm not asking for USB4, I'm asking for proper USB3 with DP alt mode support on USB4-capable but also USB3+DP capable devices (basically, all JHL8440-based docks). They work fine on strict USB3 ports on other computers and phones.



Regards,

B.G.
44 REPLIES 44

Blueskull
Star III
Some TBT3 monitors support USB3 as well, and the left port's PD controller does not block TBT, so what you are seeing is your monitor working in USB3 mode.

I observed the same with some TBT/USB dual mode devices on the left port, but never on the right side, as the PD controller is angry with anything advertising TBT.

AFuredi
Star II
Oh, OK, that's make sense now, thanks for the reply, however it works also with an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock (lent by one of my colleagues)...
I just checked what You suggested, but I cannot find information which said this dock could work through a plain USB3 port. Can it be a lucky coincidence that it still can work over USB3? No other, USB3-equipped laptop (like some Vivobooks for example) was able to work with it previously.
I really don't have any additional Tbt3/4 devices that I can try, unfortunately, but if You have any suggestion, I'm more than happy to try and get somehow a piece of hardware for testing.

Blueskull
Star III
AFuredi

Oh, OK, that's make sense now, thanks for the reply, however it works also with an Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock (lent by one of my colleagues)...

I just checked what You suggested, but I cannot find information which said this dock could work through a plain USB3 port. Can it be a lucky coincidence that it still can work over USB3? No other, USB3-equipped laptop (like some Vivobooks for example) was able to work with it previously.

I really don't have any additional Tbt3/4 devices that I can try, unfortunately, but if You have any suggestion, I'm more than happy to try and get somehow a piece of hardware for testing.


View post
Can you go into BIOS and report back with the BIOS version? I think it would be extremely interesting if some version of the laptop supports TBT.

AFuredi
Star II
Blueskull

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/239926#Comment_239926

Can you go into BIOS and report back with the BIOS version? I think it would be extremely interesting if some version of the laptop supports TBT.


View post
Yeah, You were right. Now I've tested the port with several thunderbolt devices, but basically I can say it's not working... Charging is universally OK, but the external display function rarely works and if it does it's still collapsing after some seconds or minutes. Hopefully, at one point Asus will reactivate USB4 through a BIOS update. Sadly, until then we are stuck with USB3. 😞

Blueskull
Star III
AFuredi

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/239941#Comment_239941

Yeah, You were right. Now I've tested the port with several thunderbolt devices, but basically I can say it's not working... Charging is universally OK, but the external display function rarely works and if it does it's still collapsing after some seconds or minutes. Hopefully, at one point Asus will reactivate USB4 through a BIOS update. Sadly, until then we are stuck with USB3. 😞


View post
For now, you can go with CalDigit SOHO or Lenovo 40AY. Both USB-C docks support dual 4KP60 and 10Gbps USB, which are the key features of TBT3 docks. Other than PCIe passthrough, you really have everything TBT3 has to offer with much cheaper modern USB-C. Dual lane DP1.4 HBR3 with MST and DSC is a wonderful technology.