Case USB port seems to be frying devices. Help!

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LaurieGreen18

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Nov 13, 2013
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Hi all,

I recently put together the build I was asking about in this post: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1881241/build-input.html

The build went fine with the exception of one issue, I connected the case USB2 to this header on the mobo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v94qjje85fsz5s0/20131124_152024.jpg

But when I connected devices (which previously worked in other slots) to this port they became completely unusable on the new PC and other PCs. It first happened with a USB mouse (previously worked in other PCs and is now completely dead) and now it has happened with an External HDD (which is full of very important documents :( In hindsight I shouldn't have plugged it in after it fried a mouse but at this point I had no idea the mouse not dying was connected to the USB port).

I've removed/re-installed and updated the USB drivers but this did not have any effect.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am beginning to get very concerned. Is it possible that the USB slot fried my devices?

Please help :(
 
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LaurieGreen18

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Nov 13, 2013
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So after some further research it seems that I may have plugged the USB2 header into the FireWire header of the Mobo (uh oh!).

Does anyone have any experience dealing with a problem like this?

Would this make the external HDD completely unusable? What options do I have for recovering data from a drive which has been fried in this way?

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!
 
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TenPc

TenPc

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Jul 11, 2012
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Well, you have to be careful where you plug what and where it's plugged. I once plugged a header the wrong way round, older motheboards were not colour coded nor pin oriented and when the message came up stating a usb port was not working, I clicked the "continue anyway" option to force it to use it resulting in a fried usb device. When I checked the motherboard manual, only after the event, I realised the error of my ways. If all else fails, read the manual...

You should have received a usb notification of a possible surge in the usb port.

The Firewire header is usually yellow and is 10 pins whereas the usb connector has one pin missing to show the orientation, and is usually a black or blue colour.
 
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LaurieGreen18

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Nov 13, 2013
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Thanks for your response, the different connections were exactly the same, 5x2 with one missing. There were three close to each other on the motherboard, two blue and one white. I think the white must have been the Firewire header but the USB2 fitted perfectly into it.

I didn't see any notification about a USB power surge or anything. The devices simply ceased to function.

The PC boots and performs completely normally. So I don't think there was any damage to the mobo. The external HDD has been taken out of it's casing and can be connected internally via SATA.

Does my diagnosis sound correct, or could it be a different issue?
 
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TenPc

TenPc

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Jul 11, 2012
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The motherboard requires an 8-pin connector, I'd much prefer at least 800 watt PSU for your rig,even though you don't specify any type of video card. In the other post, one user suggested the Seasonic 550 watt PSU, I think the XFX 850W would best suit your needs - http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/12/10/xfx_black_edition_850w_power_supply_review/9
You would be connecting external devices and other peripherals so allowing for excessive consumption, high cpu processing etc best to have a bit more power than cutting it close to maximum output.

Make sure you do actually use all the required power connectors otherwise your issue could be related to that instance.

Check the motherboard manual as to which header is usb 2, usb 3 or firewire, we all assume way too much until something goes awry.
 
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TenPc

TenPc

Honorable
Jul 11, 2012
2,471
1
11,960
The motherboard requires an 8-pin connector, I'd much prefer at least 800 watt PSU for your rig,even though you don't specify any type of video card. In the other post, one user suggested the Seasonic 550 watt PSU, I think the XFX 850W would best suit your needs - http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/12/10/xfx_black_edition_850w_power_supply_review/9
You would be connecting external devices and other peripherals so allowing for excessive consumption, high cpu processing etc best to have a bit more power than cutting it close to maximum output.

Make sure you do actually use all the required power connectors otherwise your issue could be related to that instance.

Check the motherboard manual as to which header is usb 2, usb 3 or firewire, we all assume way too much until something goes awry.
 
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