Can a PSU take USB devices with it?

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samjohnson

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Feb 24, 2014
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My dads PSU went recently, (i told him not to go cheap on it), and it took all but the HDD out, too much voltage or something. But everything attached via USB seems to have broken as well, is it possible that when the motherboard went it took all the USB connection attached with it? The PC was VERY old, and built by a fraudster as such who got really old parts and put them together to make a computer. I have installed drivers where necessary to no avail, so I believe it is the hardware, but i'm not 100% sure.

Many thanks,
Sam
 
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InvalidError
Most USB devices take their power from the PC so if the PC goes bust, USB devices have a fair chance of going bust too.

Depending on how the motherboard failed, there is also a worst-case scenario where a motherboard voltage regulator could fail shorted to the 12V rail and then cause the USB controller's data pin drivers to short to its power supply which is now at 12V. That would have a high probability of zapping externally powered USB devices too.
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HEXiT

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Mar 13, 2011
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yes. especially if it was a single rail high amp psu. they tend to require much more voltage in the system before the over volt protection (if available) kicks in. if it didnt have it then its quite possible you sent a lot of amps though the usb bus then into the usb devices.
 
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Unolocogringo

Unolocogringo

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Dec 31, 2007
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When a power supply dies that does not have OVP and OCP. anything attached to it or the motherboard can be killed.

That is why we never ever recommend cheap power supplies. This is a list of power supplies broken up into tiers. Tier one is the best you can buy and tier 5 is do not buy or replace as soon as possible to avoid what happened to your fathers computer.
http://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx
 
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samjohnson

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Feb 24, 2014
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Thanks guys, (or gals), i've have got him a new one, dont worry, its a good one, well i sure hope so! :D I will tell him what youve said, i'm sure it will amuse him go out any buy new things having just brought a new PC! Only problem is you've both given me excellent answers, who gets picked?
 
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InvalidError

InvalidError

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May 18, 2007
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Most USB devices take their power from the PC so if the PC goes bust, USB devices have a fair chance of going bust too.

Depending on how the motherboard failed, there is also a worst-case scenario where a motherboard voltage regulator could fail shorted to the 12V rail and then cause the USB controller's data pin drivers to short to its power supply which is now at 12V. That would have a high probability of zapping externally powered USB devices too.
 
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