WTF?! My mobo ruined all my USB devices??

[armando416]

Or was it my power supply? I need some help so I know who to blame (not that it will do any good since I'm sure they will deny it)!!

Basically, I was building a new computer for a friend who wanted something that could be built cheaply (and be small in size). I bought a Foxconn microATX mobo, and a case with included 300W power supply ('ISO' brand?) I used my computer to put some drivers onto a jump drive, and popped it into the new computer. Didn't work...didn't even light up. Weird. I figured it was a software/driver error since all the USB list had that ol' ! by it in the hardware manager. So...I burnt drivers to a CD. Then popped in my wireless USB device to hop on the internet. Well, that didn't work either. Then, my friend tried his jump drive...NOTHING was working and I gave up.

Well, later I tried all these devices on my original computer...and now they won't work there, either! This stupid piece of junk burnt out my USB devices! Everything else reads fine on my own computer, and they worked fine before I popped them into that piece of crap. So now I am wondering...what is more likely to have been the culprit? Is it possible for a bad motherboard to ruin a USB device? It did say "engineering release - not for production use" on the BIOS line while the computer was booting...what the heck is up with that?? Should I be writing letters to the BBB about FoxCONn here? I don't think they should be selling engineering releases to the public...

Anyways, opinions on the matter would be appreciated. Where should I go from here? RMA the motherboard or just buy a different brand? Buy a new power supply?

Thanks for the help.

 

[cprince]

You should get a different brand.

 

[supaxi]

You sure you connected the USB header properly? Some cases have incorrect connectors if you aren't careful, you can fry your device...

 

[tungtung]

Originally posted by: supaxi
You sure you connected the USB header properly? Some cases have incorrect connectors if you aren't careful, you can fry your device...

That would be my first guess. But then again nowadays most USB header plugs are made that you can't plug them incorrectly, so it does make it kinda improbable. At least if you buy the brand named cases. I've assembled several machines, and I've noticed that the Lian-Li and CoolerMaster case I used, have that kind of USB header, although in the generic cases I've assembled in the past most use "loose" USB headers.

By the way can you tell us which USB port did you try those devices on? Are they plugged to the exact same port and just died like that? If they are all plugged on the exact same port which is attached to the board, then it is defective board.

As for the message you see on the BIOS screen, I don't think it mean much beyond that, sometimes those programmers put silly sentences just to tease people.

You should get a different brand.

That's just totally uncalled for, FoxConn made many OEM boards used by other board makers. And many reviewers have had good reviews on those boards, I'm sure I've read many end users praising the brand as well.


I'd just say RMA that board, or take it back to the retailer and if they insisted ask them to assemble the darn thing and try all the USB ports to see if it causes the exact same problem. However avoiding FoxConn at all cost at this point in time is not the smartest move there is.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Well considering that the usb and firewire headers are physically the same plus some other proprietary mb connectors are the same its possible to have misconnected them. In doing so the elecrical signal would have been wrong frying whatever was connected. I've made that mistake before but caught it before any damage was done.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

It is easy to make a mistake wiring front usb connections for some system cases.

I have a LianLi case. There are 4 separate connecting plugs for each front usb port. If you hook up the positive plug to the negative mother board pin you can break some usb devices.

 

[eplebnista]

USB Install Guide/Tips

If the USB ports that are frying things are built into the mobo, its probably RMA time.

I have seen a few engineering samples of Biostar boards on newegg lately too. IMO, I like Foxconn boards and have used a few of them in systems for others as well as my main PC. I have yet to run into a problem with them.