>> The back USB connectors are fine << check the front usb connection to the mobo, it can be backward, check the correct mounting in the mobo manual
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Front USB ports cause the computer to restart
Hi
I built a new system for a client and when he inserts a thumb drive into the front USB port, the computer restarts. Below are the specks.
Antec Sonata ll case with 450 W/PS
Asus P5L-VM 1394 MoBo
2 GB Kingston DDR2 667 Mhz RAM (2x 1Gig)
Sapphire x1650 256 MB video card
Intel E660 Core 2 Duo Processor
Windows XP Pro SP2 with all updates
The case has 2 front USB, 1 IEEE 1394 and audio connections to the front ports.
At first I thought the problem was the board on the front of the case that connects the USB, IEEE 1394 and audio. So I contacted Antec and the sent me a new board. I replaced the board and it seemed to work fine for a day. Now it’s shorting out again.
The back USB connectors are fine and if a device is plugged into them it does not short out the system.
Any thoughts would be very helpful.
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Answers
Check these sites...
http://www.usbman.com/Guid
http://forums.nvidia.com/l
http://www.futurehardware.
http://www.futurehardware.
http://www.velocityreviews
I'd go along with nobus, check the connector is the right way round on the motherboard. If the 5volt line is out of place it could short out. Is it only when you plug a thumb drive in? Do other USB things cause this too?
From the manual it looks like the 5 volt connector is for pin1 which is towards the back of the motherboard. Chances are that on the connector for your front panel there'll be a marker to identify pin1.
If it's the wrong way round your motherboard will be pushing 5 volts to the ground of the USB drive. That won't make for a happy time.
Hi Everyone
Thanks for some quick responces. THE USB wire has a shunt in it that makes it impossible to connect any other way other then the correct installation. Yes. Unhappy times are here. I have the IEEE1394 connection and the audio connected as well. AS I have changed the board on the case, I'm leaning towards the MOBO shorting out. Could I be wrong???
When the problem first started it seemed to short out if you touched the USB & the IEE1394 ports at the same time (they are next to each other). When my client called me today, he said that he was not touching the IEEE 1394 port at all. He was only touching the front USB ports with the thumb drive. When I saw this problem, I could see that it was like a static discharge and the computer would reboot right away. The only thing that has been inserted into the front usb ports has been a thumb drive.
you can try other usb connectors obn the mobo - if available.
>> I could see that it was like a static discharge and the computer would reboot right away. << this has nothing to do with usb, but with static - it can ruin almost everything ! So solve it first !
check the earting of the pc, and grounding of the AC.
"THE USB wire has a shunt in it that makes it impossible to connect any other way other then the correct installation. ... I'm leaning towards the MOBO shorting out. Could I be wrong???"
Your assumption is that the plug is wired properly and that the shunt for the plug is in the correct place. It is possible tha the plug is wired wrong...
It is not likely that the motherboard itself is the problem.
I would get my best flashlight and inspect the usb connector on the front of the machine. It is likely that there is a small piece of conducting material that has made its way into the connector, and that the process of pluging in causes it to short out.
Hi arthurjb
I would have to say no on your idea as I replaced the board in the front of the case thus replacing the USB ports. The board that was sent to me has the USB, IEEE 1394 and audio ports on the board. I will look but it's doutful. I'm going to look into nobus's thought and pickup a tester and test the wall socket to see if it's grounded correctly. I just hope I catch this one in time before any damage happens. At least there is a good powersupply in the system that is preventing the system from going beond tolerance and restarting the system, but components can only take so much right.
Hi Scrathcyboy
Your solution has merit but if that were the case would the PC not reboot everytime a USB drive was connected to the front port? This problem does not seem to happen everytime although I have not had the chance to see first hand what is happening. I am only getting the information from my client. I am going to check all the jumpers to ensure everything is correct. I'll keep you posted.
I'm not where the people here get the idea that every problem should be approached by removing the motherboard. This is the third answer I've seen this week where someone posted this same type of thing.
This problem was described as a problem involving the usb port on the front of the machine. From the description the usb plug is mounted on a separate board at the front of the machine.
Removing the motherboard and running running it out of the case will buy you nothing, and is a waste of your time.
Hi Everyone
I'm loving the fact that I am getting so much advice. It is really helping me to look at areas that I have overlooked. I went to see the system today and all jumper setting are correct, I tested the wall plug and the ground is fine. I made some changes as it was a Sonata case and reversed the 2 hard drives so they point into the case. I moved the USB line to another connection on the MOBO and removed that stupid air duct just in case the metal strip was touching the case. Tested for half an hour and had the client try it as well. I suggested he get a static free computer desk floor matt and he's going to. Now I have to wait and see over the next few days. I'll keep you all posted.
Have you tried latest USB-controller driver?
Also when your computer restarting, does it display any message similar to 'encounted serious error and now is to be reported to microsoft'?
In such case, could you provide those XML files...or even try googling error code.
You haven't mentioned that if it is happening with all USB devices connected at same USB port.
This may help.
Hello everyone
Thank you all for your help on this. Here is what I have done: I re-seeded the MoBo and checked all the MoBo jumper settings. I checked to see if perhaps the IEEE1394 connection wire was crossed and was connected to the USB pins on the MoBO. It was not. I removed the IEEE 1394 connection and front audio wires from the board. I checked the earthing and the wall socket is fine.
My client has had this running now for over 2 weeks and it has not crashed. He even said that on several occasions, when he plugged in his USB device, there was a static discharge but the system stayed on. It looks like this one is now fixed. A BIG thank you to everyone for all your help.
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by: JamesTX10Posted on 2007-05-14 at 07:51:39ID: 19085583
Hello robsky1,
It does sound like a short. Make sure that the cable is connect properly on both ends. Then look to see if there is any place that is shorting out to the case.
Regards,
JamesTX10