Thumbdrive turns off computer

[ihocky2]

I am having this same problem and have basically narrowed it down to being a hardware issue, but a little advice would be appreciated.

I built a computer in Aug. and everything was working great for several months. Back in December out of the blue the front USB would shut down the computer when I plug in my thumb drive. This is the first I am getting to look at it and tried a few things to help narrow down possibilities. I plug in a USB extension cable with nothing attached and that shut it down, so I know it is not a voltage problem. I plug a set of headphones in, which shares the header and that shut down the computer. So I now know it has to be a hardware problem.

I opened everything up and the USB header is a block of plastic with sheathed wires coming out so to the best I can see there are no bare wires. I plugged in my iPod cord with the computer off and booted up with no problems and plugged in the iPod and unplugged it with no problems.

The rear USB (the ones right on the motherboard) do not cause the shut down. The mother board is touching the case through the rear plate, where the metal tabs apply pressure. I used brass standoffs and the red washers between the screws and the motherboard, so I think the motherbord should be grounded properly.

I think it is a problem in the header, but if anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate any help.

[morganlefay]

I have some w2k machines still kicking around....and have had nothing but problems with USB on those machines...a full shutdown will usually fix the issue....until the USB gets knocked out again....

If USB is required I update them to XP...

MLF

[nihil]

Here are a few ideas on fixing USB problems:

1. Disable and re-enable all USB controllers. Go into Device Manager and take the uninstall option for each one in turn, then do a cold reboot.

2. Use Device Manager to uninstall your USB drivers, then do a cold reboot and let Windows reinstall them.

3.Turn off "allow USB to bring computer out of standby".

>Device Manager > usb root hub > properties > power management

4. Disable the selective suspend feature. Fixit is here: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9643528

5. Look in the BIOS to see what the USB support settings are. Try changing them to see if it makes a difference.

6. Check the MoBo manufacturer for a BIOS update

Good luck!

EDIT:

Go into Control Panel > Power Options and select the "Always On" power scheme, and see if that makes a difference. You might also have power management options to turn off in the BIOS. What I am suggesting is to turn off all power saving options such that only you should be able to turn off the computer. If that does not temporarily resolve the problem then I would say that it is probably not power management based, although it could be your USB management software.

It is interesting that the iPod doesn't provoke the problem............could that be because it has an independent power supply? Can you check this with another powered device such as an external HDD, router, printer, camera, or whatever?

I wouldn't entirely rule out a power issue just yet, even though your USB extension did not have a device attached, it still consumes power, albeit in small quantities.