Static discharge through usb port

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wincon

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Oct 5, 2013
8
0
10,510
Win 8
i5 3330
GTX 650 Ti Boost
Rosewill The Hive 650 watt PSU
crappy Foxconn 2ada mobo with H61 chipset that came with the HP desktop I have been upgrading

temps are always ok

I plugged in my printer usb plug into a rear usb port. Instantly I lost video. I had sound for about 10s and then it started becoming distorted and then it stopped. Putting the pc to sleep and out again did not fix the problem.

I turned off the pc, switched the psu to off and took the cord out. Then I hit the power button to discharge any remaining electricity. Then I reversed that and turned the pc on. I have video and sound now and everything appears ok. I even plugged the printer into a different rear usb port and it is working ok.

Should I be worried? I just recently purchased and installed that video card so to have it crap out like that is worrying. On the other hand I'm hoping that it turned off as a "fail-safe" and no real damage was done.

What do you guys think? I didn't take any benchmarks to compare before and after.. Should I be worried or should I just take this as I warning. The pc is in a room with a carpet (although the pc is not on the carpet) and I was wearing "fuzzy" clothing at the time.

Thanks.
 
Solution
InvalidError
Did you actually try re-testing the presumed-dead USB port?

In any case, for static to reach the GPU from a USB port, it would need to go through the IO hub and CPU first so if the static had gone down that route, your computer would likely be fried.

Since static follows the path of least impedance, my best guess is that your PC has weak ground and static found a better path to ground through your display, causing the GPU to crash.
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Titan
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May 18, 2007
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Did you actually try re-testing the presumed-dead USB port?

In any case, for static to reach the GPU from a USB port, it would need to go through the IO hub and CPU first so if the static had gone down that route, your computer would likely be fried.

Since static follows the path of least impedance, my best guess is that your PC has weak ground and static found a better path to ground through your display, causing the GPU to crash.
 
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wincon

Honorable
Oct 5, 2013
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10,510
Thanks for your response.

Man that was scary. I had not tried re-testing the usb port. So after reading your post I tried moving my mouse into that port. My gpu went dead. I tried the psu reset procedure and the gpu was still not working. Did the reset another time and it started working.

Any ideas? All 3 other rear usb ports seem to work.. I'm ok with missing the port but worried that I damaged the gpu or cpu...

"Since static follows the path of least impedance, my best guess is that your PC has weak ground and static found a better path to ground through your display, causing the GPU to crash. " I am trying hard to understand this.

But I understand what you're saying in that how could I put the pc to sleep and back again if the cpu had not crashed as well.

Thanks again.
 
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wincon

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Oct 5, 2013
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10,510
I seem to be having issues now with the displaying remaining black when resuming out of sleep. I only installed the video card yesterday so maybe I am just noticing it now but I am fairly certain that I tested this yesterday and did not have this problem.

I am thinking of getting another m-atx motherboard that is a little more durable like this one http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128584. My current mobo doesn't have a heatsink for the chipset and the board is so fragile I think it would break in half if I applied any pressure to it. Plus if there is anything to Gigabtyes "GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 4 Classic" hopefully components won't die at the slightest ESD...

Appreciate any input
 
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InvalidError

Titan
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May 18, 2007
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If your display fails to wake up from standby, try turning it off and back on. If that "fixes" it, it might be your display that got damaged by the ESD it received from your PC.

Preventing stray currents/discharges from jumping between components by grounding them at the equipment they enter from is one of the reasons why good ground connections, preferably from a single common grounding point such as a good power strip or UPS, are essential to equipment protection just as much as operator safety.
 
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wincon

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Oct 5, 2013
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To moderator: New to the forums here and I realized that I placed this thread in the wrong sub forum. I think it is more appropriate for components.


I had to take out and reinsert the displayport plug into the port at the rear of the gpu to get the display working. I did not try doing it at the back of the display.

Ok I ordered a new power strip. The one I have is really old a dusty. The "grounded" led is still lit however I wonder if dust in the ground pin receptacle could impede its function. There are a few open plugs and I can see dust in them.

However my PSU has all these "features" (don't know if it's just marketing or not):

-Active-PFC with auto AC-input voltage adjustment (100-240V)
-Over Temperature / Current / Voltage / Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components

You would think that such a PSU wouldn't even both to power on if it wasn't grounded properly.

Thanks again.
 
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Titan
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May 18, 2007
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You might want to check your power bar's manual or re-read the text on the bar itself about that "Ground" LED.

On my power bars, the only such LED I have is "Ground FAULT" or "Building Wiring Fault" or in other words: better fix your wiring or book an electrician to do it for you if you before you fry other stuff likely more valuable than your PC.
 
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