pj_1 wrote:
Is there any other way of fooling the mainboard that usb3.0 is connected (similar to the detect pins with audio and usb2.0?)
Here is the pinout of the front USB connector P29. It is a blue shrouded connector, with 2mm spacing pins. The pins are very thin, much thinner than the other USB internal header pins. Pin 20 is a key, that is, the pin is missing. This helps to figure out the connector orientation and pin numbers.
Pin 10 is the front USB 3.0 cable detect. The Front IO cable grounds this pin, so the system knows the cable is installed.
If pin 10 is connected to ground, meaning it is jumpered to pin 4, 7, 13, or 16, the system will think the cable is installed and there will not be a POST error during bootup. The pins are very thin and fragile, so it may need an uncommon jumper to do this.
This workaround is not recommended or supported, since it fools the system into thinking the cable is installed, and of course the front USB 3.0 ports will not work. As an HP employee, I have to say this. ;-)