New PC build issues

oldsak

I built a new PC right at the beginning of this year. All went swimmingly at first, but as I keep using it, new issues arise.

The current puzzling issue:

My case is a Cooler Master Storm Scout.

The front panel connections from left to right are: esata, line out, line in, usb, usb, usb, usb

I had mostly been using the right two usbs for an external hard drive which has a lot of my essential docs and my music on it.

Lately, it seems if I try to plug anything into the left two usb ports or the headphone jack the PC dies. Well, the monitors shut off, the fan lights are still on, but I have to hold down the power to do a force shut down before I can get it back on. Also, when I say "I try to plug anything in" I don't actually even get to the point of plugging it in. I touch the cable to its connection and the pc dies before I even plug anything in. I could have sworn I plugged my headphones in and out with no problems earlier (their much higher quality than my speakers so I prefer them for music), but... oh well.

I should also mention that if I plug something in and then turn on my pc, it's fine. Could this have to do with static?

Anyway, what should I be checking, what could be the issue?

specs:
case: cooler master storm scout
ps: cooler master silent pro m700
mb: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3
cpu: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz
gpu: PowerColor Go Green HD5670

oldsak

bada bump

No takers?

MechMantis

If it were static the computer would have fried itself.

Check the connections to the motherboard, make sure they're in the right spots. If they aren't that could cause a bit of trouble.

I'll admit this isn't my forte, but hey, you never know.

Skeezicks

Did you build this yourself? Double check that the usb connections are connected to the usb headers and not the firewire header. The two headers are identical and you can mistakenly install the USB port wiring onto the firewire header or visa versa. On your board the usb headers are probably blue.

oldsak

Will check that tonight. I should mention that the ports do work if I plug something in before I turn it on.

Also I don't actually have to plug anything in. I just touch the connection to the metal bit surrounding one of the connections and it goes down.

Raern

It might be a design issue grounding out the system when you touch metal to the wrong place. Sounds more like the system is being grounded than jolted with static electricity. Without seeing the USB ports up close it's hard to tell if there's much chance of that being the problem.

I'm pretty sure the actual USB contacts are too far inside the plug/socket to be a part of the issue if everything is normal/undamaged/plugged into the MB correctly.

If you happen to have a USB/PCI port thingy like the one in the top of this image, use it to test the actual motherboard connections: http://www.motherboards.org/sites/default/files/images/IMG_0574.JPG

Always useful to know if the problem is the MB or the case sockets.

StrifeRaZoR

Raern has the right idea. If your system is shutting down (Just like mine did, but with a PCI-E slot) whenever you have metal contact, then it's definitely a grounding issue. There's 3 things to look at:

1. On your motherboard there is one (sometimes two) front panel USB connections, usually near the CMOS battery. Try switching it to another connector (Mine are pre-made..just a block of wires I connect to the board. Some are frayed and have to be connected manually) if you have one. If you don't, remove the cables from the front side USB port on the board and THEN try to shut the system off with metal contact. If it continues to shut down, move on to #2.

2. The ports are not grounded properly. If you can remove the front panel of your case (Usually clips at the top/bottom of the front panel) you can check to see if there are any frayed wires or exposed metal contacts near the back-side of the USB ports. If you find these, a quick repair attempt with some electrical tape may solve your issue. If you do not see any exposed wiring or touching metal, move on to #3.

3. The motherboard is not grounded properly. This is what happened to me. I had my back-panel I/O ports actually touching one of the circuits on my motherboard. Anytime I would turn it on, I had about a 50% chance that it would start properly. I had to cut some metal off of the back port to give the board room to breathe, which solved my issue (The first one, at least). The second thing to check is the motherboard risers. If you built this yourself, you probably did the exact same thing I did (Nobody can deny this, not even professionals). You placed the metal risers below the board...but you didn't place them in every possible spot. This is no big deal, usually, but if the board is too tightly screwed in, it could easily short the system out. Either A: Remove the board and check for any metal between the board and the case, or B: Loosen the screws that are holding the board in place. This will give it the ability to shift slightly and cause less contact with the risers...which is what I had to do.

Best of luck, but I'm 100% sure it's a grounding issue.

Pirusu

Some people have been having issues with Cooler Master Cases and the front I/O panel for a little while now.