Case grounding problem with front USB ports

rich c · Mar 20, 2013

Hi all,

I think I have an issue with my case and the way the components are grounded...

Fractal Design Define R4, steel case with plastic front. The front (top) USB ports (2x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0) are in the plastic part. Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P. NEC(Renesas)-based PCIE USB 3.0 card installed.

Whenever I plug a device into any of the ports, the computer will hard reset, as if I pushed the reset button. UNLESS I am touching the metal part of the case with my free hand, then all is fine.

Anyone seen this before? Any suggested remedies?

Thanks!

smorizio · Mar 20, 2013

look to see if the case vendor has bent pins on the usb port or is missing the spacers. also look to see if there a daughter board used for the usb ports...a lot of times if it not a grounding issues is a misswire on the connectors. take a look at online usb wiring wiki.

rich c · Mar 20, 2013

Thanks for the reply. That's what I had thought at first, so I had Fractal send out a new front USB port assembly. No dice - it still had the same issue. The USB 2 ports are connected via a small daughterboard to which the USB 3 port connector is glued (no electrical connection).

smorizio · Mar 21, 2013

did you use and rubber spaces on your standoff screws??in real life those silver screws are the ground points of the mb.
also check that the wall outlet is grounded. starts from the wall..into the power supply then the mb. the other thing to check is see if the usb cables are wired right.

Search

Case grounding problem with front USB ports

rich c

Honorable

smorizio

Titan

rich c

Honorable

smorizio

Titan

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page