How can I test onboard USB connectors

[mrichardson2]

Is there a way to test the USB connectors right on the motherboard? Do I need a multimeter or something like that? What risks are there in testing these pins, and which pins would I test?

Background:

I have 6 rear panel USB that work fine, but the 7-10 connectors (for my front header or expansion card) do not work. There is never power sent to the device, and I've tried several devices, as well as the front panel connectors from the case and an older 2 port expansion card - neither worked.

I wanted to test the pins somehow before I rip all the stuff out of the case and wait several weeks for an RMA. Emailed DFI to see if there was a test or settings I could check. They said if the front panel USBs are connected properly I should RMA it.

I just wanted to make sure it's not a BIOS/DEVICE MANAGER/JUMPER thing before I gut the case!! I'd hate to go through that, wait several weeks and still have the same problem.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

[LiLithTecH]

Not all CASE USB front panel connectors are pinned the same.

You can check by using a multimeter and checking the
voltage between PIN 1 (VCC) and PIN 4 (Ground). It
should read +5v.

If the REAR USB ports are working the Front should work
if they are wired correctly.

What case (brand/model) are you using?

 

[mrichardson2]

I am using an Aerocool Jetmaster Jr. (black)

The front usb connections for the case are labelled as follows:

GROUND USB1 + USB1 - VCC1

GROUND USB2 + USB2 - VCC2

black green white red (wire colors)


The ground is a seperate little connector, the other three are one piece.

The DFI Lanparty nf4 UT Ultra -D manual gives the following :

USB 7-8 & USB 9-10


9 KEY GRND + DATA - DATA VCC 1
10 N.C. GRND + DATA - DATA VCC 2


There is no pin on the #9 spot and I am not connecting anything to the #10

Grounds into the grounds, 3 part piece into the +DATA -DATA VCC

Unless they are labelled wrong in either the book or the case connector, they all match up the way it says.

I don't have a multimeter but I might be able to borrow one from a computer guy I work with. Is it hard to use? Can I fry my board if I touch something I'm not supposed to touch with it?

Thanks

 

[mrichardson2]

I should add something I just noticed in the device manager:

Under USB controllers I have the following:

Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Unknown device
USB Root hub



Not sure what the Unknown device is or why it is there?

When I double click USB Root Hub and then click the "power" tab, it says:

Hub is self powered
Total power available is 500mA per port

then it lists:

(USB icon) unknown device 0mA
9 port(s) available 0mA

There is nothing currently connected to my USB ports, front or rear.

When I connected my USB game controller into one of the rear ports, it is listed as this:


HID-compliant game controller 450mA
Unknown device 0mA
8 port(s) available 0mA


When I checked Unknown device, it said "no drivers have been loaded for this device"

What does all this mean? It seems to know there are 10 ports total available on my motherboard, but what is the unknown device?



EDIT: When I unplugged the front USB connectors from the motherboard, the "Unknown Device" disappeared when i restarted my computer.

I also re-connected them and restarted windows. Then I deleted all USB stuff out of device manager and restarted windows. Windows XP SP2 reinstalled everything, including the "Unknown Device", then gave me an error message about the unknown device not being compatible.