USB3-SATA-U3 (ASMedia 1051e) Firmware Update

Plugable is pleased to announce that a firmware update for our USB3-SATA-U3 adding the following features is now available:

  1. Improved support for 512e “Advanced Format” drives.
  2. Spin down disks after 10 minutes of inactivity, resume on access.
  3. Spin down disks on system sleep, resume on system wake.

Any customers who have a USB3-SATA-U3 with a serial number beginning with 991 or 101 who are NOT using 32 Bit PC and wishing to access volumes above 2.19TB should apply this update: to be clear, this update is recommended for almost all users with docks beginning with serial numbers 991 or 101.

For technical details, read our post on understanding large SATA volume compatibility.

Checking firmware version

All units with serial numbers beginning with 991 and 101 should have firmware version 12092681f600.

A utility to verify firmware version on Windows is available here.

Mac users can open system information (open the Apple Menu, hold the alt/option key, and select system information). From the USB section of System Information, click to highlight the USB3-SATA-U3, and then verify the serial number as shown here:

serial 101

serial991

If your serial number in system profiler begins with 991 or 100, this firmware update is recommended.

After update, docks will report a serial number matching the one shown below, 1051E121005010000:
firmware 121

Updating Firmware

Updating firmware on the USB3-SATA-U3 is only possible on Windows, however nearly any Windows PC with USB will do, as this update can be completed over USB 2.0. Mac users may wish to borrow a friend or neighbor’s Windows PC to complete this update, however for Mac users can also use virtual machine options like Parallels or VirtualBox to complete this update by assigning the USB3-SATA-U3 device to the virtual machine, and using it to complete the update. Mac users who cannot get access to a USB 2.0 capable Windows PC can instead contact support@plugable.com to make other arrangements.

To update your USB3-SATA-U3, first download the firmware update utility here, and follow the steps below.

  1. Double click the“U3_FW_Updater_130220.exe” update utility.
  2. If prompted by User Account Controls, select yes. User Account Control Approval
  3. Check to see that your U3 is listed by the update utility as pictured here, and press start:
    ASMedia FW Update
  4. After upgrading verify that firmware version 13022081f602 is reported by the update utility.

Please let us know if you have questions or run into issues by posting below, or shoot an email to support@plugable.com.

Plugable USB3-SATA-U3 USB 3.0/2.0 SATA Hard Drive Docking Station (ASMedia 1051E Chipset) Product Details $25.00
This entry was posted in Windows XP and tagged on by .
2 Replies
Jeff Everett

About Jeff Everett

My IT career has involved everything from teaching Microsoft's official 70-680 Deploying Windows 7 week-long course and delivering sales-oriented demonstrations for Microsoft to doing cable runs through the boiler room at client sites and nicely explaining that you have to plug the printer in AND replace the ink for it to work. I did 10 years of sales, marketing, and management in a previous life. When I'm not working, I'm probably throwing a stick for my 90 lb lab-malamute mix, Hunter, or playing Civ 5.

2 thoughts on “USB3-SATA-U3 (ASMedia 1051e) Firmware Update”

  1. Thomas

    Is there a firmware utility for Macs? Can you tell me how to check the FW version using the System Profiler bundled with OS X?

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  2. Jeff EverettJeff Everett Post author

    Hi Thomas-

    Thanks for asking, and so sorry for my delayed response.

    First, the short answer on firmware version is that all U3 units purchased to date (and those shipping over the next few weeks at least) are units that we would recommend this update for. Any U3′s with a serial number version beginning with 991 or 101 are recommended for update.

    The update will absolutely need to be applied with Windows, although virtually any XP or later PC should do for this: USB 3 is NOT required for this update utility. Details to check serial number are shown in the photos in the post above.

    Mac users- if you’re not able to use a virtual machine, library, neighbor, or friend’s Windows PC, email support@plugable.com to make other arrangements. For fastest service, please include the following details:

    1. Amazon order ID
    2. Device Serial Number

    Best wishes, and please let us know if you have any other questions-

    Jeff Everett
    Plugable Technologies

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply