Windows 8 - Hitachi Touro Pro

Anonymous
2012-10-29T18:44:53+00:00

Can anyone help me out with this.

I have 4 x 2TB Hitachi Touro Pro external hard drives. All work 100% in Windows 7.

However, they do not work under Windows 8. When connected you will hear the sound notifying you a USB device was attached but not drive letter.

After a couple of minute (2-4 minutes) a drive will appear but it you try access the drive the machine will freeze.

I have tried all 4 drives and they all show the same issue, working in Windows 7 not in 8.

This has to be a windows issue.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-02-23T13:31:13+00:00

Can anyone who has gotten their Hitachi Touro to work with Windows 8 confirm the USB 3.0 host controller?

After first noticing the compatibility issues when I first installed Windows 8, I traded my Hitachi drive for my brother's Seagate Expansion drive. His drive is smaller capacity, but at least I can use it with my computer.

Anyway, my brother's computer is having some issues and I was going to try reinstalling Windows 7. before doing that, I decided to do a test installation of Windows 8. His computer is running on an Intel Series 4 chipset and I have added a USB 3.0 add-on card to connect to his external drive. After installing Windows 8 to his computer, I was able to access the Hitachi Touro Pro hard drive with no issues at all.

I checked in the device manager and his USB 3.0 host controller is listed as Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller. My computer that has problems with the Hitachi drive is running on an Intel H77 based motherboard with integrated USB 3.0. The host controller on my computer is listed as Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 0100 (Microsoft).

Based on this information, would the issue lie with the drivers for the USB 3.0 controller, and not the operating system? Intel doesn't provide any updated drivers for the USB 3.0 on Windows 8; only previous versions of the OS.

(Update)

I just found a thread at the Intel Support Community that has over 225 comments from users discussing this issue. Apparently the native Windows 8 drivers from Microsoft for the Intel USB 3.0 controller are causing issues with other USB 3.0 devices as well. Someone hacked the lasted Windows 7 driver for the Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller to make it work for Windows 8. It is available for download on page 16 of that thread. You must disable driver signing to be able to install the driver.

  • Hold the Shift key while selecting Restart to enter Advanced Startup Options
  • Click Troubleshoot
  • Click Advanced Options
  • Click Startup Settings
  • Click Restart
  • After the computer reboots, select option 7 to disable driver signature enforcement
  • Go to Device Manager
  • Right-click on your USB 3.0 host controller and select Update Driver
  • Select "Browse my computer for driver software"
  • Choose "Let me pick..."
  • Click the Have Disk button
  • Browse to where you downloaded the modified driver and select it
  • Click Next
  • Select the option to install when warned about digital driver signing
  • If an unknown device appears, you can install by selecting the "Browse..." option and entering the containing folder rather than having to manually pick a specific driver. This will install the Intel USB 3.0 Root Hub

Hopefully, Intel will recognize this issue and release updated drivers. Until then, this will hopefully work with no issues.

Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

85 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-24T15:45:42+00:00

    Did you find out any solutions? I got the same problem with you :( I don't know how to use my hdd on windows 8.

    Thanks

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-24T16:26:41+00:00

    The problem have not been resolved and it is not fixed even in new Windows 10 technical preview. It is related on how Toshiba made file structure on their HDD which is imcompatible with Windows file structure in Windows 8,8.1 and 10 versions. You can use it with any external USB hub. I myself connected it to Router with USB and I use it as media storage

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-29T07:29:51+00:00

    After much searching how to get my Hitachi Pro 750GB to work with Win 8.1

    I lifted the black side panel off the case took out the Hard Disk placed it in a $15 HD caddy case and all fixed. No thanks to Hitachi or Microsoft.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-05T10:57:05+00:00

    I installed Windows 10 Technical Preview build 10049 and connected my Hitachi touro 750 Gb drive into USB 3.0 and it WORKS!!!!

    I can't believe that after several years of frustration with this device incompatibility with Windows 8.1 it finally works fine in Windows 10! Please check if you also have Windows 10 TP if your Hitachi drive works as well

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments