Problem with USB's on new motherboard…

[HartBreaker]

Just built (well, I did help) a new system. When the rear USB panel is in place and connected to the motherboard, my computer won't boot. It's obviously shorting the system out. When I disconnect it, everything runs okay.

My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-K8VT800 Pro.

Can any one help?

Thanks,

Jessica

[duffy90210]

Double check on the wiring, I have seen this before on a Giga board, sometime you may need to swap them around.

HTH

[Van Nugent]

Yep, especially the +5VDC wire. If this wire and the ground wire are not plugged to the correct pins on the mobo, when you connect a USB device to the port, you'll blow up the device and/or the USB head on the mobo. http://members.aol.com/browrob549/emo/dazed034.gif

[HartBreaker]

Hi Moderators….

According to the manual, the plugs can only go one way. Looking at it (there's a pin missing on the motherboard socket) it can only go on one way. I can't really make that mistake. When I connect it up, the system refuses to boot - it just sits there until I unplug the cables.

Do you think there's a 'short' in the cable somewhere?

Let me know.

Jessica

[Van Nugent]

That's one possibility because if you're not connected any USB device to the USB port, even if the wires are not in their correct pins, the PC will boot up with no problems. Only when you connect an USB device to the port, incorrect wiring will cause problems.

Try another cable. If you're in the US, it's good to know this cable store (http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?id=ID1053071&rsite=goto.usb).

[HartBreaker]

Nothing is plugged into the USB socket. So it can't be the actual USB device that's causing the trouble.

Rather than distroy my new motherboard, I get a powered USB hub and plug it into one of the working USB sockets on the motherboard.

Thanks for the help.

Cheers.:t_up:

Jessica

[Elaine]

It'd be much cheaper but a huge inconvenice to send the motherboard back for a replacement.

[HartBreaker]

Hi Elaine,

I did think of doing just that. But as you pointed out - it would be a HUGE inconvenience. I don't have a backup computer, so I would be unable to get online.

I bought the motherboard from Dabs. They only correspond via the net.

I think it would be easier if I just bought a USB hub. It would also give me some extra ports.

Cheers,

Jessica

[Van Nugent]

Have you tried a different USB cable?

[PhilEnfield]

If you isolate the panel from the case .... does it still do the same ? ... i.e. still plugged in to mobo.

[HartBreaker]

Hi Van Nugent,

That's impossible. The cables are moulded into the back pane. I could try and get a new pane. Do you think Gigabyte would part with one?

[HartBreaker]

Hi PhilEnfield,

How do you do that? It's almost impossible to isolate. It's got to touch the case at some point. If you have any ideas, let me know. I'll try anything...

[Van Nugent]

Jessica, is it a bracket like this one (http://www.acortech.com/.sc/ms/dd/1059804101287709/9/nc/Cable%2520%5E2F%2520Accessories--USB%2520Cable%2520%5E2F%2520IEEE%25201394%2520Fire wire/998/USB%2520CONNECTOR%25202%252E0) or this one (http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=13-999-551-01.JPG/13-999-551-02.JPG)? They can be purchased from many PC stores @ very cheap prices. If yours is different than the ones in my links and you can't find it, post a thread in Consumer's Op forum with a picture (or at least with your mobo's make/model) and folks may help you. Also, remember to tell if you're in the US or UK :).

Phil has a good point. Try plug it into the USB head on the mobo without mounting it to the case and reboot to see if the problem still exists.

[PhilEnfield]

Yep ... as VN says .... didn't mean this as a permanent solution .... just to trouble shoot if wiring was faulty and case (earthed) was shorting it out.

[HartBreaker]

I'll take some photos now so you can see for yourself.

I've posted the picture here:-

http://www.zippyimages.com/98671.html (http://www.zippyimages.com/98671.html)

(http://www.zippyimages.com/files/98671/USB_Plate_001.jpg)

[Van Nugent]

The bracket looks very similar to the one that came with my Abit NF7-S v2.0 mobo. That bracket is really hard to find. If you do not use Firewire (at least not @ present time), you can buy a 2-port USB bracket as I mentioned above then get the Firewire connector bracket or front panel at a later time when you need it.

[HartBreaker]

I'll probably do just that. I'm not going to risk distroying my motherboard. I have no use for firewire (at the moment), so, I'll see if I can get just a four port rear panel.

What about the plug? Are they all the same?

[Van Nugent]

Yep, USB ports on case are all the same Type-A Female. Don't think you need a 4-port bracket. A 2-port bracket is what you need, IMO.

You may just try your bracket without plugging in the firewire to the mobo. Maybe you're lucky that the shorted one is the firewire :).