Antec Sonata & MSI KN8 Neo Plat USB Header Problem - FIXED READ IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW

[pfriederichs]

Looking for any input on my problem - both my USB headers do not work - I have read here and there that on some of the older Sonata's this is a know manfac. problem and Antec will send replacement header cables.

Well I have been unable to get ahold of anyone at Antec (called 6 times last week and just keep getting voicemail stating they will call me back - which I have not gotten a call back).

I also believe my Sonata is a newer model as the USB Motherboard connections are solid blocks (not seperate pins like the manual says).

Basically I can only put these headers in 1 way (there solid blocks with 1 pin missing - fit perfect into my MSI K8N Neo Platinum) yet the ports dont work - sound works fine and I have no way to test firewire.

Anyone got any ideas? I have read over @ amdmb.com that you need to cut 1 extra ground wire and this should resolve it yet I have no way to tell which one is which (like I said the manual I have referes to the old Sonata cable scheme with each pin for the header being seperate - not the solid blocks like I have).

I am cross posting this in the Case and Motherboard forums as I am not totally sure if its a case or mb issue @ this point - please dont flame

TIA - Paul

 

[ExcaliburFX]

its probably a case issue does the usb ports on the back io panel of the msi board works? the usb header and the firewire port on the sonata is very bacly constructed, too many negatove reviews i heard about it, some say when you try to plug someting in it, it goes back inside the case and its usb1.01 compatible not usb2.0. and they mislabelled the firewire connections on the sonata, on their website for the sonat on the fqa, they put out a thread saying how you should connect it. i really like antec but sometimes they make 2 good things and 1 really bad one.

 

[pfriederichs]

Yes the rear ports all work fine... ugh

 

[akira34]

I have the same motherboard, with the Antec SX1040BII case and the USB ports do the same damned thing. Only with mine, it's both the front and additional rear items that don't work. I've tried switching the headers the ports use, but they still fail to work. Trying to use JUSB1 and JUSB2 simply doesn't happen. I got a replacement motherboard (from the source) and that one has the exact same issue. I built a system for a customer, using the K8N Neo Platinum mobo and those ports also don't work. I've used the same case with the K8TNEOFIS2R motherboard, and it had NO issues at all. I don't think it's the case's fault, I think there's something seriously wrong with the headers on the new boards. I've been in communication with MSI, and tried everything they wanted me to. Including putting the board on an ESD mat and powering it up. Still no joy. Until the issue is 100% resolved, I won't be using this motherboard in any future builds. I actually regret using it in these last two, since it's not 100% functional (unlike the K8TNEOFIS2R boards I've used). It's a good thing the motherboard has 4 USB ports on it directly or I'd be really pissed off. Still, it's a pain when I need to connect additional devices to the board. That's why I selected a case with additional USB ports in the front, so that I can just plug into those and not have to worry about it.

I'll be waiting to see what MSI has me try next on Monday to try and fix this. This time, if I'm going to be replacing the mobo, I'll want it to come from them, but ONLY after they test it inside an identical case and make damned sure the additional USB headers work.

 

[pfriederichs]

Akira I found a fix over @ AMDMB.com to this problem (tested and works) - atleast on the sonata cut USBOC (should be the odd wire) and it works!!

 

[akira34]

Would you be so kind as to provide a link to which wire that is? I don't want to snip the wrong one and be fubar'd. Did you just cut the one to the front of the case, or to the rear item provided with the mobo?? If this works, I'll be very happy. Especially since I need at least the front ports to work on mine (thumb drives, external hard drives, digital cameras, etc.)...

 

[pfriederichs]

Its the wire thats odd - on mine Sonata its the wire furthest to the right in the block (its black). There's 9 pins on the sonata usb header cable - 1 of them is alone - this is it.

 

[akira34]

I'll have to look on the front feed, but on the item that came with the mobo, there's two black wires in one pin on both sets (for each port feed)... I'll have to open up the case and see if there's an additional wire on the feed from the case or not. If there is, I'll snip it and see what happens... Of course, I'll have to make sure I leave enough wire to reconnect it if needed (just in case). I'll have to power down the system and connect the additional bracket item for the rear too, to see if it works now (or not). It would be nice to at least have those two additional rear ports, but the two front ones are more important to me.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: pfriederichs
Its the wire thats odd - on mine Sonata its the wire furthest to the right in the block (its black). There's 9 pins on the sonata usb header cable - 1 of them is alone - this is it.

Ok, I tested the item that came with the mobo and the new one works fine... Tested with my thumb drive in both ports.

It would help if I knew which wire you're cutting since there's only one pin that's got two wires on the case front item, and wires only going to 8 of the pins... I don't want to snip one wire and have it be the wrong one there.

After digging out, and through the manuals, I found the wire... Luckily, there's enoug there to reconnect if needed... BUT, snipping the odd one out did fix it on my new Antec case. I've also not used the feed for the sensor lights on the additional rear USB item. The mobo doesn't like having that connected too for some reason. All I need to do now is arrange with the customer that has the same mobo and case to fix it for him... Even if I only get the front USB ports working, that will be enough... That way, when he gets a digital camera, he can use either of the front ports to connect it to the computer.

 

[uesjd]

I have the K8N Neo with the Antec 1080 AMG and I have a similar problem with the front-mounted USB ports.

The wires are attached to a single block, and there are nine or ten wires (I forget which right now). Interestingly, the manual that came with the case says there are supposed to be 8 wires attached to that block.

I emailed Antex over a week ago and got no response.

I may venture to figure out which wires to cut and give it a shot.

 

[akira34]

I cut the wire above the blocked pin/hole and the ports work now. I also left the connection to the rear panel item disconnected and just connected up the USB feed and that works too. I'm not sure what is going on the the rear panel item, but using it for JUST USB ports works. Try to figure out where the fault lies will probably be difficult since I'd venture to guess that each manufacturer will blame the other.

 

[uesjd]

I found out how to remove a wire from the plug without actually cutting it, so I dared to remove the brown wire that didn't seem to belong -- and it fixed the problem. The front USB ports are now working, as are the D-Bracket ports and the mobo ports, so I have 8 USB ports functioning -- finally!

 

[akira34]

I couldn't pull the connection out of the block without using too much force so I just snipped it. I figured there was enough wire there that I could always reattach it later if I needed to.

 

[uesjd]

Here's how to remove wires from that type of connector:

http://www.antec-inc.com/specs/ezusb.html

 

[mileshuff]

I'm having the same trouble with the Sonata case and an MSI K7N2 Delta-L motherboard. When I plug in the Sonatas front panel plug to the motherboard XP reports 4 unknown USB devices. Plugging in MSI'
s D-LED rear panel adapter to JUSB2 and the LED connector works just fine.

From reading the above posts am I correct to assume that removing the brown wire from the motherboard end of the Sonatas USB connector will fix this?

 

[akira34]

Most likely removing/cutting the wire will fix the front port issue...

 

[uesjd]

Originally posted by: mileshuff
I'm having the same trouble with the Sonata case and an MSI K7N2 Delta-L motherboard. When I plug in the Sonatas front panel plug to the motherboard XP reports 4 unknown USB devices. Plugging in MSI'
s D-LED rear panel adapter to JUSB2 and the LED connector works just fine.

From reading the above posts am I correct to assume that removing the brown wire from the motherboard end of the Sonatas USB connector will fix this?

On my computer, XP didn't detect anything when I connected the front-port cable to the header. But it's worth trying to remove the brown wire. You can always put it back into the plug if it doesn't help.

 

[toddgrif]

Was anyone able to get a MSI K8n Platinum connected to its front USB's in an Aspire X-Dreamer II case? I've had no luck at all with this.

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: toddgrif
Was anyone able to get a MSI K8n Platinum connected to its front USB's in an Aspire X-Dreamer II case? I've had no luck at all with this.

Check to see if it has 9 wires to the block too... If it does, remove/cut the one above the plugged hole and give it a shot.

 

[toddgrif]

Success! For those of you who have the combination of MSI K8N Platinum motherboard and Aspire X-Dreamer II case, clip the FAT BLACK WIRE on the far right of the five pin top plug that goes into JUSB#2

Thank you very much Akira34 and all of you for all of your discussion here, you have helped me solve one VERY annoying problem.

 

[akira34]

Aye, it's been annoying for ALL of us that have been using that board and cases with front USB ports. I don't know who's to blame here, but someone is. Suffice to say, ALL cases that I use with that mobo (from now on) will have the extra wire either removed (from the block) or cut so that there's no chance of the port NOT working. To think, I RMA'd a board because of this. I was communicating with MSI support, trying everything except cutting the wire to no avail. Of course, even the rear (with the lites too) bracket didn't work on that one.

I think we should inform MSI of the issue and found resolution to it. That way, they can put it in the FAQ's for the effected boards. It could severely reduce their call load.

 

[AuraEdge]

I just found this message, and Im really glad I did. Disconnecting that pin fixed my problem as well. I also have some more information to provide regarding this issue.

The 10th pin is labeled USBOC in the K8N manual, but is labeled "NC" on other boards. I think its a dead key pin on other boards, but has some unknown function on the K8N that current front USB ports do not take advantage of. However it acts strange when a connector is attached to the USBOC pin.

1) Whenever a wire is connected to either USBOC pin, it disables BOTH USB headers on the board. Thats why the connectors on the backpanel with the LEDs go dead as well when front USB is hooked up. These ports still get power, but cannot send/recieve any signals. (If you plug in a USB device that draws power and lights up without signal, itll still light up)

2) Whenever a wire is connected to either USBOC pin, it also disables a USB keyboard from functioning in DOS when connected to ANY USB port, including the ports integrated to the board. I originally could not enter the BIOS or hit a key to boot to a CD with my USB keyboard connected to an integrated USB plug, but ever since I disconnected that pin, it works. I originally plugged a PS/2 keyboard in just to get in the BIOS, but I no longer need it. (Yes, the USB Keyboard function was on the whole time)

I will shoot this information over to MSI. They may include it in the FAQ since its pretty easy to reproduce, and I think its a quirk of every K8N out there, not just a select few.

 

[akira34]

I've also sent the info to MSI to try and help other people when they contact them about the issue. IF I had seen this before, it could have saved me a RMA and down time during my last system upgrade.

 

[Booty]

THANK YOU for this thread! I was pulling my hair out today trying to figure out why neither the front USB ports on the case or the 3.5"-bay card reader I installed were working... I was afraid the USB ports on the motherboard were bad and I really didn't want to RMA because I'm building the system for a friend who lives 5 hours away, and he's coming tomorrow to pick it up. What a life saver. Thank you, again, to all the contributers here.

 

[DanAmrich]

Yet another thank-you to everybody who contributed here...I am having the same K8N/Sonata problem and I was thrilled/stunned that so many other things of my install went right, as I'm still a relative novice. But this...this stumped me, and this thread is the only resource I found!

I have not clipped yet but figure I have no other option, really. Both my front USB ports and the D-Bracket are not working, so I need to clip the same wire (above the keyed out block) on both, correct? Looks like it's pin 10? Just before I run and get those cutters. But there are multiple success stories here so I cannot imagine it'd be wrong.

Oh, and since it seems customary, here's my freshly built gaming/audio workstation hybrid rig. The Sonata was my key to keeping noise to a minimum in a room with live microphones:

Athlon 64 3400+ (1MB)
K8N Neo Platium (754)
1 GB Corsair DDR400 TWINX
WD 200GB SATA
Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB
Thermaltake Silent Boost 8
Antec Sonata

Thanks again for the resource, gang.

Dan