MOBO USB hub or BIOS problem?

[Hieronymos2]

Mouse and keyboard have become intermittantly unresponsive; all 4x USB 2 ports are virtually nonfunctional. The two USB 3 ports semi-functional. As in they cause mouse/keyboard to seize up for 1-5 seconds. Sometimes, I need to unplug them, then replug them for them to be recognized.

MOBO: ASRock 970 Extreme4 with Win7 64 updated with current SP's, java, etc.
MOBO just updated with latest AMD drivers...but n/c.

Do I need a new MOBO? Is is a software issue? Any help most appreciated.

 

[i7Baby]

I have a feeling you do need a new mobo. But check that the mobo usb header connector is fully on. You tried drivers and I can't think of anything else offhand.

 

[techgeek]

Though I am not familiar with your motherboard, I am assuming that it has UEFI. If I am correct, you can use the UEFI to see if the issue your having with your USB ports is OS/Software or hardware. If you mouse and keyboard function normally in the UEFI in all USB ports, then you can assume that Windows or some software issue is your problem. However if it behaves the same in the UEFI, then the problem is the motherboard itself.

Also one place you may wish to look is the USB settings within the UEFI itself, see if some of the ports have been disabled. Check for anything that oddly set up.

 

[Hieronymos2]

i7Baby, thank you. How do I determine if the MOBO usb header connector is fully on?

Techgeek, thank you. How do I access the UEFI diagnostics? From the manual posted on the AMD website it appears that the diagnostic is called "Dr Debug", and a whole range range of test outcome codes are mentioned--but no instructions on how to activate the diagnostic itself.

 

[techgeek]

UEFI is what the BIOS is called now. The old BIOS was test based and in general didn't support mouse (some did) use, the UEFI (Universal Extensible Firmware Interface) supports mouse use. So just enter the UEFI (usually the DEL key during POST) and see if the mouse works in the "bad" ports in there.

 

[i7Baby]

Check where the front usb cables connect to the motherboard

 

[Hieronymos2]

Check where the front usb cables connect to the motherboard

Thanks i7Baby.

First I tried TechGeek's solution and played with UEFI, which definitely helped mouse/keyboard functionality; but problem of intermittant non-responsiveness continued.

SLI'd my GTX465 at this time; n/c to problem; but increased graphics performance

Ended up going for a new MOBO, an ASRock 990FX Extreme3 AM3+, which unfortunately was DOA.

So RMA'd it and got a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3.
mounted my SLI'd GTX465's

Now the mouse and keyboard work fine, but every game is unplayable due to game freezes, blinks, and ctd's--except in windowed mode.
Any ideas?