USB device killed motherboard??

[dgevert]

Has anyone ever heard of a USB device shorting out/frying a motherboard? I was in the middle of setting up my new mp3 player and getting it to work with my computer, and all of a sudden my computer completely powered down and wouldn't come back up. Pressing the power switch wouldn't do anything. I've let the computer cool down and sit, and I've tried more than one power supply. I've removed and unplugged everything trying to get it to come back on - even removed RAM and CPU. Nothing powers up, not even the fans on the PSU. Tried two different PSUs, same thing...also tried the trick of connecting the green wire to a ground wire on both PSUs atx connector to test them, and they both work fine. Is my motherboard just permanently borked? I can't believe this happened now, during my holiday break. Now I'm bored off my mind because I have no computer (I'm typing this from a friend's old laptop.)

Gigabyte GA-K8NS Socket 754 nForce 3
AMD 64 3200+
Ultra X-Connect 400W and el-cheapo 400W PSU
1 GB Corsair ValuRAM
eVGA 6800 GT
200 GB Seagate SATA HDD
16x Asus DVD-ROM
16x NEC 3500A DVD-RW
Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer

 

[Souka]

that's basically impossible......

Odds are your motherboard failed.



not sure what else to suggest....or say.


best of luck

 

[dgevert]

Will a motherboard at least try to power up without a CPU? I figure I should at least have the fans in the PSU start up even without a CPU in the socket.

 

[imported_Phil]

I assume you've removed the iRiver from the USB port?

 

[dgevert]

Uh...yeah...

 

[imported_Phil]

It's possible the USB ports are shorting out. I've seen it a few times on, admittedly, machines with front-connected USB ports. The user damaged them beyond repair, and disconnecting them allowed the PC to start.

Have you had a thorough look at them, checking that the gold strips aren't bent out of whack?

 

[dgevert]

Dude...even with NOTHING connected to the motherboard BUT the power supply and the power switch, motherboard outside of the case, still nothing. No usb ports attached, period.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: dgevert
Dude...even with NOTHING connected to the motherboard BUT the power supply and the power switch, motherboard outside of the case, still nothing. No usb ports attached, period.

Now read my message again.
Go and look at the ONBOARD USB ports for signs of damage. A USB port that is shorting out, even without anything attached to it can cause a PC to stop switching on, period.

 

[dgevert]

No signs of damage. USB connections look perfectly fine.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: dgevert
No signs of damage. USB connections look perfectly fine.

Then the motherboard is surely dead.