Computer problem: Killing USB thumbdrives

Ok all you techies,
Here's an interesting one for you:

USB ports are overheating a killing USB thumbdrives. However, I also have a wireless keyboard/mouse that uses a USB stick and a "gaming" headet that also uses a USB connection and those both work just fine. However if I insert a USB storage device/thumbdrive/flash drive (whatever you want to call it) it overheats (incredibly hot) and dies. What could cause this?

Drivers are up to date and wiring is correct.

I've tried moving all the USB devices/sticks around, same problem.
I've tried different manufactuers and sizes of storage, all fail.
Killed a friends drive....

This is getting expensive. Anyone know a fix? Google seems to be useless for this issue for me.

Specs:
MoBo: MSI 790fx
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955
PSU: 750 watt Corsair
RAM: Mushkin Ridgeback 8GB
Optical: ASUS CD-R/W
Card Reader: Rocketfish 6-in-1
OS: Win 7 64bit

Anything else?


HUGE "thanks" goes to Byte for helping build and coming down out of his way twice to trouble shoot and help install. He looked at this issue last time and his USB stick seemed to work... but something has happened since... And no I didn't mess with any settings or anything, honest!

I would get a USB card and stop using what is on the motherboard. I've seen something similar once before and it appeared as though it was the motherboard chips that were causing the issue, putting a board in the system resolved it.

Try using a USB hub to isolate the drive away from the motherboard.

H.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ranger

I would get a USB card and stop using what is on the motherboard. I've seen something similar once before and it appeared as though it was the motherboard chips that were causing the issue, putting a board in the system resolved it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hoosier

Try using a USB hub to isolate the drive away from the motherboard.

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I'm assuming you're both talking about teh same thing or is a hub different than a seperate USB card?

They are different. A hub is a device that you plug into your existing USB connection that breaks that connection out to multiple USB ports (so one computer USB becomes 5 or 8). The card is a replacement for what is on your motherboard already, it means you use this instead of what you use now.

Then would the hub idea even work since hte USB ports currently don't seem to work (exceptions noted in original psot)? The PCI card I can seem to find for about $10 bucks. (Lord, a little here and a little there add up quick... grrr)

Two questions then:
1. Instead of a PCI thingy, would it be possible to find a 3x5 front drive thingy for USBs?

2. Does anyone make "covers" to cover up teh USBs in the back or can I just put some tape on them or what?

Some things I find "Odd"

Printer and Mouse/Keyboard are plugged into the same Bank of USBs on the MB.
I have plugged 2 USB Mass storage drives (8GB+) into all of them with no issues.
These are On-board the motherboard as well as the the USB Header blocks.

To be honest, I am Stumped and bordering on having him contact the retailer/Manufacturer for exchange. The board is Less than a month old.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ranger

They are different. A hub is a device that you plug into your existing USB connection that breaks that connection out to multiple USB ports (so one computer USB becomes 5 or 8). The card is a replacement for what is on your motherboard already, it means you use this instead of what you use now.

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he would still have to plug that into one of the header blocks or USB ports he has.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

bordering on having him contact the retailer/Manufacturer for exchange.

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That would suck... suck, and more suck.

And yes, mouse/keyboard/headset/printer/etc are plugged into teh USB and work fine... it's just thumbdrives that don't work...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

he would still have to plug that into one of the header blocks or USB ports he has.

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How do you figure? You plug a card into a bus slot and it's a replacement, 100%. I've done this on several computers to get faster USB.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBear

Two questions then:
1. Instead of a PCI thingy, would it be possible to find a 3x5 front drive thingy for USBs?

2. Does anyone make "covers" to cover up teh USBs in the back or can I just put some tape on them or what?

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1. That would typically require plugging into the USB pins on the motherboard, seemingly your problem.

2. Tape is fine

I worry that a hub would blow out as well if you bought one. But, you can always try to exchange your computer if it's possible (that's the best bet anyway).

I will try to dig into it sometime this weekend just to verify that all the cables are connected properly. If not, I'm not sure I want to send the MoBo back for something like this when a PCI USB card could work.... Unless, this malfunction will lead to something bigger down the line.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBear

I will try to dig into it sometime this weekend just to verify that all the cables are connected properly. If not, I'm not sure I want to send the MoBo back for something like this when a PCI USB card could work.... Unless, this malfunction will lead to something bigger down the line.

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you mean the the mobo failing altogether...
entirely possible
I think this is the point where we contact MSI Customer support

Sounds like there's a voltage issue in the USB controller. Not sure, but I'm pretty sure that USB keys need just a tad more juice than keyboards and even optical mice. Not 100% there. If it were me I'd RMA the board. The USB hub is going to have the same power issue unless you get one with it's own power source so it isn't pulling from the MoBo. Alternately, the $10 fix should do the trick, just make sure its USB 2.0 or USB 3.0

Better do it right the first time and just RMA the board...

My new computer... broken... story of my life.