ripped out usb lead with computer on

GazCBG · 30-09-2008, 15:35

I accidently ripped out a USB lead that was plugged in to the PC as I went away from the PC.

Which turned the computer off and would not come on, so I put in a spare 300w power supply and it booted up. Thank god for that.

Anyway what are the chances of it damaging the computer ?
The lead that was court round my foot was for a Logitech G25 steering wheel, what are the chances of this being damaged ?

When I do plug the G25 back in do you think it will do any damage to the PC the USB plug looks fine

Thanks

soup dragon · 30-09-2008, 15:38

afaik usb is hot swappable (if that is the right word) i always plug in and remove when pc is on. more likely to damage the usb port if it was not pulled out straight though.

MovedGoalPosts · 30-09-2008, 15:38

In most cases USB leads can just be plugged in and out at will without the PC needing to be powered off. If you were violent then there is potential for physical damage to a cable, plug or socket, but it would be failry unlikely.

I'd be reconnecting it and seeing what happens.

GazCBG · 30-09-2008, 15:46

Hi,

The power supply was less then a year old, I got a new one on order.
So will plug it back in tomorrow before I put the new power supply in.

I was suprised it killed the power supply myself, unless it was already weak.
It was an Antec 500w that was in there.

I had unplugged the G25 before about a week ago without any problem

Thanks

30-09-2008, 16:07

it would have shorted and most likely blew the internal fuse in the psu.

Kymmy · 30-09-2008, 16:08

being an ex-repair tech I'd doubt very much that even shorting out the 5v supply (which the usb uses) would damage the PSU unless it was a really cheap and nasty one. Most PSU's have short circuit protection on them.

As already stated USB is hot swappable (look at the port and you'll see that two of the pins connect first as you push in the plug that way settling down the voltage spike before the data ports are connected) and are designed to plug in/out when the power is on....

30-09-2008, 16:09

would have shorted cuz it was pulled out violently imo

Kymmy · 30-09-2008, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by David F

it would have shorted and most likely blew the internal fuse in the psu.

Do antecs have a fuse on the secondary side? I thought that all switch modes used a standard trip circuit that just stopped the main PSU switch operating in the event of a short circuit. The only fuses I've seen on PSU's is on the primary side.

30-09-2008, 16:11

dunno dont go fiddling. Thing is Kymmy you said

Quote:

being an ex-repair tech I'd doubt very much that even shorting out the 5v supply (which the usb uses) would damage the PSU unless it was a really cheap and nasty one. Most PSU's have short circuit protection on them

and the op says

Quote:

I accidently ripped out a USB lead that was plugged in to the PC as I went away from the PC.

Which turned the computer off and would not come on, so I put in a spare 300w power supply and it booted up. Thank god for that.

which basically means the forcable removal of the usb has caused damage to the psu which you doubt could happen even though it has happened lol

Might be worth trying the psu again though

Kymmy · 30-09-2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by David F

Might be worth trying the psu again though

Very true, sometimes the protection circuits can lock until the voltage trip totally dissapates... Longest I've know though is a few hours, though that time will reset everytime you try it, best to leave overnight (unplugged) and try again in the morning

GazCBG · 30-09-2008, 19:04

Is it possible to power up the PSU without it being pluged in, other than the mains, if so how ?

---------- Post added at 18:04 ---------- Previous post was at 17:49 ----------

I just connected the PSU to an old P4 motherboard and it powered up, so I presume it ok.

Kymmy · 30-09-2008, 19:07

http://www.duxcw.com/faq/ps/ps4.htm

Raistlin · 30-09-2008, 19:49

Just a guess here.....and I may be wrong.....

When you yanked the USB cable did it move the PC foward at all? If so, did you happen to notice how tight the power cable was when it did?

Always a chance that the sudden movement of the PC caused the 'kettle lead' to dislodge slightly and that's why it wouldn't power up.....just a thought.

GazCBG · 30-09-2008, 21:03

That what I first thought, so I checked it and it was.
I also tried a different power lead.

I have learnt a leason today don't leave a USB cable on the floor where you can catch it with your feet.
I don't want to go through that again as I at first I thought I broken the PC oh s***.

Will keep the PSU as a spare and be fitting the new one tomorrow when I get it, and re-route the USB lead

budwieser · 30-09-2008, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceevo

Hi,

The power supply was less then a year old, I got a new one on order.
So will plug it back in tomorrow before I put the new power supply in.

I was suprised it killed the power supply myself, unless it was already weak.
It was an Antec 500w that was in there.

I had unplugged the G25 before about a week ago without any problem

Thanks

If it`s less than a year old, return it under RMA and get a new replacement.