[senior geek]

I am having a strange problem when inserting the flash drives to the front usb ports on the front of my computer. Some times when I attempt to plug in the flash drive just touching the metal to metal will cause my computer to reboot. Strange thing about this is it has no pattern to the problem. Sometimes it happens after a cold boot and other times it happens after I resume from the S3 suspend and than other times it works ok without the problem.

The computer is one that I built my self and it just started this problem after 5 months of operation without the problem. I am running windows xp pro sp2 and the mb is an Asus M32N Sli with an Athlon 64x2 4200 processor and 2 g of memory.

Thanks in advance to anyone that has any ideas on how to resolve the problem.

Senior Geek

 

[johnpost]

if it is cold winter then static can be present.

the flash drive may have static from your body that
discharges to the signal ground triggering a reboot.

discharge yourself first.

 

[griffinspc]

Welcome to the board. This has been cropping up a lot lately. Some has been attributed to shorts from a poor motherboard installation, some to overclocking and some just mysterious. You seem to fall into that category. Try touching the metal edge first then insert the drive. I think it may be to a static charge built up from cold winter weather (dry air) or carpets and leather shoes, who knows. That's the best I can do.

 

[PCG342]

Funny story about that... when I had a cracked motherboard, I could actually render my computer useless [totally unbootable, or stuck in BSOD] by using certain USB ports. But the problem does seem to lie in a faulty connection of some sort. Could be irreparable. Your best bet then is to do as I did: Buy a USB hub. Four or six ports should be fine.

 

[senior geek]

Thanks to all respondents, I will try your advice to see what happens.

 

[senior geek]

Static make sense to me, I live in minnesota and the furnace has been running a lot lately.

Senior Geek

 

[johnpost]

run a humidifier until you atleast don't have static.
you will also breathe easier and feel warmer,
you will spend less on heat.

if drops of water are running down your windows
then its too humid.

between 30% and 60% is comfort zone.

 

[vicks]

Another 'solution' mix 1 capful of fabric softener to 1 qt water in a spray bottle and spritz this on any carpet in the room where your computer is. this will get rid of static build up caused by the carpet..
Vicks

 

[griffinspc]

Damn, we be the weather channel