USB Port blowing memory stick?

Diss · 12 Jun 2006 at 18:54

Hi

I have a friend who's front USB port doesn't recognise her USB pen and also seems to somehow 'break' it - its happened to 2 now.

Is it possible that if the USB ports were wired up wrong that this could happen?

I don't have the PC yet so can't test it, but am curious if anyone else has had this problem? (Though i do know that the back USB ports work)

thanks

Diss

pcmedicni · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:01

Yep you screw up the wiring,particually with the separate pinned connections rather than the semi idiot proof plugs.

Werewolf · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:02

yup, it's pretty easy to do if it's a self build as many cases have a different set of electrical connections on their USB port connector than many motherboards use.

The way to check it without endangering your USB devices would be to check the motherboard manual and the case manual for the correct pin out.

tim_enchanter · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:56

Also if your friend is using an operating system other than XP and doesn't use safely remove hardware then that would be a likely cause.

But yes just as probable that it's wiring

Edit: having another read of what you said makes it obvious that it's wiring actually

KizZ · 12 Jun 2006 at 20:13

Can you try the rear USB ports?

Diss · 13 Jun 2006 at 18:13

thanks guys

will have a look at the wiring - but may well post agin for some help

apparantly the rear USB work fine

if its wired up wrong will it damage any USB device or are the memory sticks particularly sensitive?

thanks

Diss

edit - is it possible the USB port can stil 'work' - say for a mouse - but blow a memory stick?

collisster · 13 Jun 2006 at 18:19

I wouldn't risk it, get it seen to or fix it ,

pcmedicni · 13 Jun 2006 at 18:54

The rear USB ports are hardwire,so to speak so you can't really compare them to the front.The front will be connected using the extra optional ports.

Usual wiring is +5 - + ground If the port has already killed some kit then you can bet it will kill some more.Whip the side of a take a lookie.

Diss · 28 Jun 2006 at 18:01

Hi again

I have finally got this PC to look at and need a bit of advice.

The mobo is an elite k7s6a rev one who's manual is here:
http://www.ecsusa.com/downloads/manual_k7s.html

The casse is generic - no manual. It has two 5 hole USB connectors marked USB1 and USB2 the lead from the front USB ports (the rear USB pots work fine).

The USB connectors were plugged into 'USB3' on the mobo - i have also now tried them in LUSB1 and LUSB2.

Whetever combination Device Manager (WinXP) shows an unknown device. If i uninstall and then reinstall it finds a USB device but can't load it properly (says no drivers loaded)

What i am still not sure about is what gets plugged inwhere. For instance all the USB locations on the mobo have 10 pins (2x5) - however are they supposed to support just one USB device or 2? I assumed 2 as the case USB connectors only come with 5 pins each.

I have tried reversing the way i put on the connectors but no change.

Any suggestions on how to fix things?

many thanks

Diss