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 Post subject: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Wed 01-07-2009 8:57PM 
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Major
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Location: Tetromino House

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Today I plugged in a video game controller, in my USB port. However, it went in upside down, and took that notch, and bent is, causing all the pins to short out inside on the metal casing. Immediately I heard my fans kick up for a second, like they surged, then everything went back to normal.

However, none of the USB ports work now. The port that caused all the problems was on the front of the computer, and has been disconnected, yet the problem remains. I didn't smell any smoke when this happened, but I am thinking a chip fried that controls the USB ports.

I cleared the CMOS, boot in linux a few times, ran windows in safe mode, and messed with bios setting, with no change. I get no response from any device plugged in except for a mouse, where the optical light flashes. Windows picks this up as an unrecognizable device.
Linux doesn't pick up anything.

Luckily I saved a PS/2 mouse and keyboard, but I would like USB back.... Did I fry it? Any ideas? THANKS!

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 Post subject: Re: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Wed 01-07-2009 9:07PM 
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Major
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I did that once with my old computer. the plastic USB wire holder thing came out in one of my plugs but I didn't notice it. I went to plug in another USB plug and realized something was wrong. I smelt burning electronics and immediately flipped the main power switch on the back of my computer. I had shorted the 5V pin to the USB housing and the small USB board had begun to burn. Luckily I shut off my computer fast enough and was still able to use the other front port and all the rear ports.

Unfortunately for you, it does sound like you fried the USB controller (if there is one) or whatever controls all the USB ports. Are your ports still putting out power? Try using a multimeter to see if you are still getting 5V on the USB plugs. The pins to test should be the ones on the ends, one for 5V, the other for ground. Good luck.

If nothing else works, you can probably just get a USB PCI card, one with like 4 ports on the back and a couple headers for your still working port on the front. This one looks like a decent one. The only problem I see is that each port is only rated to 500mA. I think regular ports are up to 2A but I can't be for sure.

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Last edited by Kingkoopa on Wed 01-07-2009 9:17PM, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Wed 01-07-2009 9:13PM 
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I accidentally did something like this once. However, the board was not in a case at the time (it was safely mounted to a grounded motherboard mounting panel, just outside of a case).

When I tried to connect the front USB wires to the pinouts on the motherboard, I got something switched, and it shorted out. Since the board was out, I could see what was happening.

One of the surface-mounted resistors was glowing orange-hot, and burning the board away from it. I removed power from the board as quickly as possible, but the damage was done. There is now a crater in my motherboard, surrounded by a nice black burn mark. As it was burning, there was very little smoke, and no smell. Needless to say, those 2 USB ports no longer function. It was an older model board (early socket A) so more things were on isolated circuits than what is now possible with the newer crowded boards.

My guess is that you have burnt up some surface-mounted component, and it has broken contact for all your USB ports. My advise is to get a USB controller card, and possibly a hub, or replace your motherboard, because your current motherboard's internal USB support has been completely destroyed. Look around (front and back) for burn marks for confirmation, but be aware, some surface mounted components are covered up by other devices, like CPU's, IC's, Large plastic ports, and possibly fans, so visibility may be a problem.

GLHF

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 Post subject: Re: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Thu 01-08-2009 3:16PM 
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Major
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Thanks again for the help so far.
I took a voltage reading of the two power pins, and it is at 4.73 Volts, when it should be 5V; not far off, but probably not good enough.
I am about to pull the board and take a close look, but I am not getting my hopes up.

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 Post subject: Re: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Thu 01-08-2009 3:23PM 
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At least you didn't let all of the magic smoke out of your computer.

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 Post subject: Re: Major USB problems
PostPosted: Thu 01-08-2009 5:58PM 
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Major
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Location: Tetromino House

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Haha, yea, no smoke yet.
After a close inspection, the USB ports go through SMT resistors, then into the south bridge. Resistors check OK, so I am going with a blown south bridge. However, only part of the chip has failed, because the chip controls IDE, SATA, USB, etc. No burn hole through it like I have seen before.
I was able to find an extra front port header hidden on my motherboard, and for some reason it works perfect. So I have one USB for now, I will get a PCI USB adapter as suggested, after I test that my PCI slots work too.
Thanks again, I am going to leave it at that for now, and hope its not a ticking time bomb.

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