PC freezes when I plug something in the front panel or when I sit down

netorincon

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Feb 27, 2013
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Hello, I created a thread about 3 weeks ago thinking that this could be a static electricity problem, but I narrowed the possibilities and realized that my pc freezes SOMETIMES when I plug something in the front panel OR when I sit down after walking on my carpet. What I did is switching my computer to another wall plug, which seemed to work for about 1.5 weeks, but just today it froze again right as I plugged my camera in one of my front USB 3.0 ports.

Also, something really weird is that after having walked around the house (which is carpeted) I go to my desk and sit down, and as soon as I touch the mouse and move the cursor, it barely has time to go all the way to the border of the screen and the pc freezes after that. I also have tested my ram with Memtest86+ and checked my hard drive for errors. Nothing.

The only thing I haven't checked is my PSU, but i don't think this is the problem, since my PC has never frozen while playing games, or energy demanding tasks (since I don't stand up very often when doing this).

Please if anyone can help, I'd appreciate it and if I'm wrong with something, let me know.
This is my setup:

FX-8320
Team Vulcan 8GB 1600mhz
Toshiba 1TB 7200rpm HDD
Rosewill rg530 psu
sapphire 7850 1gb
Asus M5A97 R.2 motherboard
Ostrog GT case
 
Solution
Try UNHOOKING absolutely everything not needed to run your computer:

1. front audio (from motherboard)
2. front USB (from motherboard)
3. all but main Windows drive (even the DVD drive)
4. sound card if you have one

If problem goes away, add things back two at a time to discover what's causing the problem.

If problem persists it may be either your:
a) Power Supply, or
b) Motherboard, or
c) grounding issue with bare wire
Well, I haven't tried the metal thing, but shouldn't any discharges go straight to the power outlet instead of my case/mobo? How can I know if it's my PSU? I also took everything apart and rebuilt the pc making sure that there were no cables or components making short.

 


The motherboard, PSU and case are all connected to ground via the power cable.

So, I don't know if it's actually a grounding issue. It may be a loose connection or other hardware issue that seems like a grounding issue.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to help you troubleshoot other than to suggest SWAPPING PARTS. My main suspects are the PSU and motherboard. The PSU is easiest to swap.

Sorry. Not sure what else to tell you.

*You may wish to try unplugging EVERYTHING that is not absolutely necessary to get you running:
1) DVD drive
2) secondary hard drives
3) Front USB connections

It's not impossible that your front USB connector is causing problems.
 
Hello, I know it's been a long time but I finally finished all my tests and this are my results:

1st test: Unplugged my headphones and when I touched my desk, it shocked me (because of the static I had in my body), and the pc froze.
2nd test, unplugged mouse and keyboard (back I/O panel), weird graphical glitch but no freeze, pc running as usual.
3rd test: Took my parts out of my case and set them on top of my motherboard box (keyboard and mouse still on my desk) NO FREEZE, pc working as usual. (which I think rules out the fact that the PSU is bad)
4th test: put every single component attached to my pc on the ground (keyboard, mouse, monitor, headset, wifi antenna) making sure that nothing was touching my desk. When I touch my desk, nothing happens. Pc working normally.
5th test: only the essentials connected to the motherboard and inside the case. FREEZE.

This leads me to think that there's a problem with the grounding on my case, or maybe my motherboard is making contact in some point that I can't see, because there aren't any obvious contact points and I insulated the tips of the cables I'm not using. Do you think i should return my case and buy a new one? If I switch to a wood desk, would this stop happening?

 
The small screw points that you use to sit the motherboard on to screw the motherboard onto the case. by any chance could there be a few extra of those screw ports under the motherboard you are not using? And are all the screw holes for your motherboard in place and screwed down the mother board snuggly? That be my first guess as if those are not correct your motherboard would be improperly grounded within the case. Worth a shot.
 
Yeah... that's the first thing I checked when re-building it. All the standoffs are where they should and there aren't any extras. I also checked if the board was aligned properly.
 
And your pc is not sitting on a carpeted floor? And you double checked all your power wires from the psu and made sure the psu is on the right setting and screwed in tightly? Seems simple i know but baby steps through a check list can really help zero in on a cause. My pc when i built it would randomly not power up and i found out it was my keyboard causing it lol just 1 example of how some times the most ridiculous may be the cause.
 
No, my pc is sitting on the floor (which is some kind of rubber tile) I also checked all my internal cables and there's nothing suspicious. My power supply doesn't have any buttons or levers other that the on/off switch and I made sure that it's tightened correctly to the case.
 
Have you tried removing and resetting your ram? It still sounds to me as if its just not grounding correctly (your motherboard) to the case by the posts not sure why but that sounds like the case for some reason unless its something connected to your pc via a port that is not grounded correctly or that something is touching the case not allowing it to ground correctly.
 
Yes, I've tried resetting the ram, one stick at a time, I even checked it with memtest. And to me as well, it looks like the case's the problem. Could it be a problem with the front panel? maybe the rear I/O shield? I also put tape on all the cable that i dont use.

Also my mobo didn't come with any extra washers.
 
Have you taken the front off your case? How about searched around towards the front there may be a lone wire unhooked for some odd reason just laying against your case inside or just behind the front panel of the case.
 
Try UNHOOKING absolutely everything not needed to run your computer:

1. front audio (from motherboard)
2. front USB (from motherboard)
3. all but main Windows drive (even the DVD drive)
4. sound card if you have one

If problem goes away, add things back two at a time to discover what's causing the problem.

If problem persists it may be either your:
a) Power Supply, or
b) Motherboard, or
c) grounding issue with bare wire
 
Solution
I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if you ever fixed the issue. I also have an Ostrog GT, and have the same issue. I think it's stemming from the top USB connections, but I couldn't find anywhere inside the case that would cause a grounding issue.