Z68-itx/ht

[IowaDad]

Hi!

So I just built an HTPC with the Z68-ITX/HT (1.20 BIOS) and everything is great with the exception of the CIR. I have verified that I have plugged the case's front USB into both the USB/CIR header on the motherboard correctly but I am unable to get the included USB IR receiver to work. Looking in the manual, there is a section for enabling the CIR. I have verified that my BIOS doesn't have that option listed where the manual has it. I'm assuming the manual has older version and the new one has it in a different spot or maybe they just forgot to put it in?

Anyone have any luck with the IR receiver and CIR?

Many thanks in advance!

[wazza300]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

using latest mb bios? maybe you need to update the bios to the latest one first

[IowaDad]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Thanks for the reply! Latest BIOS is 1.20 and is the same version that I have.

[ASRock TSD - Emily]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Hi IowaDad,
Thanks for contacting ASRock.

Please kindly refer to below link for user manual page 24 to install your USB front panel.
Link: http://download.asrock.com/manual/Z68M-ITXHT.pdf

And please kindly know "only one of the front USB port can support CIR function."

So you can plug USB CIR receiver to another front USB port to try.

If any question, please kindly let me know.
Thanks for your support!

Have a nice day
ASRock TSD
Emily

[IowaDad]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Emily-

Thanks for the reply. The actual documentation is incorrect. The images only show one USB 2.0 header next to the CIR header. On the board, there are actually two USB 2.0 headers with the CIR header in-between them. Here is a picture of it.



As you can see, I have the USB 2.0 cable plugged into the CIR and the USB header (USB 8_9)with the dummy slots facing the correct way.
Since the case manufacture blocks off one of the dummy pins by filling the hole with plastic there is really only one logical way to connect the USB cable to the header. I have connected it that way and while I do get power to both USB ports on the board, only one operate a normal thumb drive. The other port provides power to the thumb drive, but the system doesn't see it as a "hard drive". I'm assuming that is the port that the CIR is connected to.

I have also use a small rotary tool to remove the installed plastic on the cases front panel USB cable and attached that to the USB/CIR header on the board (USB 6_7)with almost the same results. The difference is that the USB port that won't recognize the thumb drive is the other one.

Hope that help clear some things up.

[wazza300]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

sorry but is that the correct way to plug the block in the mb? your half on half off the mb usb header? shouldnt it be fully inline with the blue plastic underneath? if it doesnt fit turn it round 360 degrees and try plugging in

EDIT i see what you mean now with the cir in between the usb headers,tried the other way though using half the upper usb header and cir pins?

[IowaDad]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Wazza300-

Ya, I tried both USB headers and had the same result. In order to get the lower USB header to work, I needed to drill out the plastic filler over the one dummy pin from the cases front panel cable. Same result on either of the USB headers and the CIR header. One USB port operating normally (thumb drive works fine) and one USB port with power being provided (thumb drive powers up but drive isn't recognized by the system). I assume that the port with the thumb drive being powered up but not recognized by the system is the CIR port.

I don't think there is ANY other way to plug the cable into the headers besides what I have already done.

[Inaman]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

I have just read that the CIR receiver has to be plugged in prior to boot as it isn't a hot-swap device. I have the same problem and will go and try it now.

[Inaman]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Ok, think I got it working.

Assuming that the connections are correct on the m/b (the pic in the manual is not the same as my hardware). This is what I did.

1. Without the CIR in the front USB port turn your system on and when it's booted, plug a thumb/pen drive into one of them. windows could find it in one and not in the other.
2. once you know which one doesn't work for a normal USB device, thats the one for the CIR device.
3. turn your machine off, plug the CIR receiver in.

now the bit i hadn't done previously (I just wrongly assumed that windows would have seen it from the start)

4. go to the asrock website and download the correct driver (CIR receiver driver ver xxx - around 7.50Mb)for the operating system and install it (using the setup file in the download)
5. it should then detect the device and install it and when you reboot......... it should work (it did for me) :)

Hope it helps

[IowaDad]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

I have not tried that. I just assumed it was hot swappable. I'll try that when I get home!

[IowaDad]

Re: Z68-itx/ht

Thanks Inaman! You were correct. The CIR isn't hot swappable. I plugged the USB key with the system off and then powered it back on and the CIR option in the bios is there! Boy... That would've been good to know during the initial build. Sadly, out of frustration I ordered one of the HP MCE receivers for 10 bucks.