Usb hub causing RAM failure and system crashes??

[w3tworks]

Hey guys, looking for a little help solving a dilemma:

I recently put together a new system:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Asrock 990fx Extreme3 AM+3
AMD FX-6100
16GB Corsair Vengeance Ram, DDR3 1600 (4 x 4GB)
1TB Seagate 7200.12 sata II 3.0GB/s
Sapphire Radeon HD 6770
Xigmatek Loki H.S. dual 92mm fans, push/pull config.
Asus Blu Ray/DVD/CD
Corsair CX500 PSU

I initially had to install my ram in the A2, B2 slots to get the system to post. I only installed 8GB to start and changed the default settings in the bios from 1333mhz to 1600mhz then install the other 8GB in slots A1 and B1, and everything worked fine. I did a clean install of windows and the 200+ updates that came with that and installed all my drivers and hardware updates. As you can imagine, my system restarted quite a few times. Had absolutely no problems and everything was working fine. Since I plan on overclocking eventually, I ran prime 95 for a few hours to get some bench marks for operating temps and to make sure my heat sink seated good. I also fired up a few current video games (Skyrim, Fallout LV) to push the video card a bit, again just to kind of bench mark the card at stock settings.

All of this took approx. 6-7 hours and the system preformed flawlessly. Did a little light gaming that night and all-in-all the system was on for a good 10+ hours and everything was looking really good. Solid temps on everything and performance that was right around what I expected. Woke up today and took the computer off my workbench and moved it over to my desk, plugged everything in and hit the power button..... and to my surprise, no joy, wouldn't even post. =(

The ONLY thing different from the previous night was that I plugged in a Rosewill RHUB-310 USB2.0 7 port USB hub. I unplugged the hub and tried to have my ram in different configs (A1,B1....A1,A2......A2,B2....B2,B2, ect.), I even went one stick at a time and could never get the system to fully load windows before crashing. Some times it wouldn't even post, other times it would get to the "Starting Windows" splash screen before crashing.

I am now believing my ram may be compromised and am going to grab a few new sticks tomorrow from a local shop and give that a try. But I'm wondering.... is this USB hub the reason??

I ask because my old reliable duo-core system had the exact same issues shortly after I plugged that hub into that system. I swapped out that system ram and it has run fine ever since, but I haven't used that hub with that system since I installed the new ram. I never imagined that a hub could case such a problem, I just figured my old system suffered from a random ram failure. But the similarities of both of these systems ram failures and the fact that the hub seems to be the only common piece of hardware makes me very suspicious.

I just want to know if anyone has had any issues like this or heard of anyone else having this kind of problem. If so I'd like to know, as I'm on the verge of sending a very unflattering e-mail to Rosewill, since (if my hunch is correct) this little $15 hub has now cost me over $100 in ram. The hub is only 3-1/2 months old so if it is the culprit, I will be expecting Rosewill to offer up some type of reimbursement.

Anyways, thanks for reading through my post and for any advice you have to offer.

 

[scout_03]

just be polite with them to get a full refund for the hub and buy from another maker

 

[w3tworks]

Certainly. They lost me as a customer the minute I suspected their product, I tend not to buy from suppliers especially for my computer gear unless I am confident in their hardware. But I don't even want to accuse them if by some chance I'm off the mark here and perhaps over looking some other cause of my problems.

If I come to be fairly sure the hub is in fact to blame, I'll write them mostly to bring it to their attention, and hopefully this post and my revised review on newegg will serve as a warning to other consumers. The best I would hope for from Rosewill is a refund.

I tend to believe that sh!t happens, and Rosewill probably isn't targeting me personally for faulty hardware. I'm sure for every piece of hardware they sell that fails, there are countless others that perform exactly as advertised.

 

[unksol]

If you suspect the hub has a problem ask for a replacement. I had a very good experience with their customer service. granted i didnt yell, just sent an email from their website and hinted how much id like to leave a positive review of my customer service experience on newegg.

I can't imagine how it could possibly affect your RAM though. I would check all you connections and look for shorts since you moved it. And reset the BIOS/do a BIOS update before buying new RAM. I would also run memtest 86+ if you can get it to load. And if you have a system available try swapping the RAM.

Blaming rosewill for the ram if it is bad wont get you anywhere though even if it is the cause. Don't think I have ever seen a memory manufacturer without a lifetime warranty and shipping ram is cheap so just RMA it to the manufacturer once you know its bad.

 

[w3tworks]

Sorry it took so long to get back.

After a few maddening hours of searching, I finally did find the little gremlin hiding in my system. It was indeed a short in one of my case fans. A tiny little nick in one of the wires as all it took to bring my computer to its knees. All is well in my computer world now, and I saved myself the embarrassment of firing off an e-mail to Rosewill without first looking at all options.

I've built a dozen or so computers so far and this is the first time I've come across a problem like this. Live and learn I suppose.

Thanks for the suggestions (this is why I come here first before getting too worked up) and I'll be leaving my review of the USB hub in its current positive light @ Newegg.

 

[w3tworks]

Best answer selected by w3tworks.

 

[Robert Holmes]

Install the empty hub into the usb socket, there will no trouble booting up . then install your ubs devices to the hub. next time it will boot fine. if you disconnect the hub make sure you follow this procedure before plugging the multi hub in. Bingo

 

[Robert Holmes]

If you suspect the hub has a problem ask for a replacement. I had a very good experience with their customer service. granted i didnt yell, just sent an email from their website and hinted how much id like to leave a positive review of my customer service experience on newegg.

I can't imagine how it could possibly affect your RAM though. I would check all you connections and look for shorts since you moved it. And reset the BIOS/do a BIOS update before buying new RAM. I would also run memtest 86+ if you can get it to load. And if you have a system available try swapping the RAM.

Blaming rosewill for the ram if it is bad wont get you anywhere though even if it is the cause. Don't think I have ever seen a memory manufacturer without a lifetime warranty and shipping ram is cheap so just RMA it to the manufacturer once you know its bad.

see my solution below, best of luck