P4C800-E Deluxe USB Problem ?

I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
three years -can Asus repair or replace ?

Thanks.

I'd be more suspicious that the cable from the motherboard to the USB
socket was wired or plugged in wrong, and that you connected it
incorrectly (backwards, perhaps) and blew some things up.

There have been some computer cases made with front USB sockets that
were wired just plain wrong from the factory. And, separate from that,
there are a couple dozen ways for someone installing the motherboard to
get front USB sockets wired wrong.

Malam wrote:
> I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
> plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
> down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
> problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
> the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
> a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
> no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
> work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
> three years -can Asus repair or replace ?
>
> Thanks.
>

Thanks Barry. The motherboard has two sockets on the mboard for USB
5,6, 7 and 8. I had a cable connected to 5 and 6 that has been
working for more than a year with an Antec P180 case. The USB
external drive was connected to the system yesterday but was not
recognized. I went to the store this afternoon and was told I needed
to connect the drive to two USB sockets. Could this have been the
source of the problem ? The USB Drive is connected to my laptop now
and its working ok, but it never worked on the desk top. Looks like
I've fried the intel chip ? Can this be fixed or I should be looking
for another mboard?

Thanks.

On Apr 10, 10:39 pm, Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOS...@neo.rr.com> wrote:
> I'd be more suspicious that the cable from the motherboard to the USB
> socket was wired or plugged in wrong, and that you connected it
> incorrectly (backwards, perhaps) and blew some things up.
>
> There have been some computer cases made with front USB sockets that
> were wired just plain wrong from the factory. And, separate from that,
> there are a couple dozen ways for someone installing the motherboard to
> get front USB sockets wired wrong.
>
>
>
> Malam wrote:
> > I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
> > plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
> > down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
> > problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
> > the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
> > a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
> > no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
> > work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
> > three years -can Asus repair or replace ?
>
> > Thanks.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Malam wrote:
> Thanks Barry. The motherboard has two sockets on the mboard for USB
> 5,6, 7 and 8. I had a cable connected to 5 and 6 that has been
> working for more than a year with an Antec P180 case. The USB
> external drive was connected to the system yesterday but was not
> recognized. I went to the store this afternoon and was told I needed
> to connect the drive to two USB sockets. Could this have been the
> source of the problem ? The USB Drive is connected to my laptop now
> and its working ok, but it never worked on the desk top. Looks like
> I've fried the intel chip ? Can this be fixed or I should be looking
> for another mboard?

Is there any time left on the Asus warranty ?

This sounds like the "latchup" problem. Especially if you find a very
hot ICH5R. Latchup damage comes in several different forms, and the
most severe leads to permanent damage. Some ICH5/ICH5R chips have a
visible burn mark on the top. Others fail internally, killing the USB
ports, but leaving the computer operational. The worst kind kills the
motherboard, and since your computer will not POST, you could be dealing
with the worst kind.

To cause the latchup to stop, you need to unplug the computer (or
at least make sure it is switched off at the back). Ideally, remove
the battery as well (although the odds of the battery being able to
maintain the latchup, via a sneak path through the CMOS well, and
with the 1K ohm limiting resistor, are pretty slim). But chances are,
after putting the battery back in, and powering the computer, you
will be no better off. Removing all power should result in the
chip returning to the cool state, so it won't get hot again. But
if the lead frame or bond wires got burned, there is no repairing
that.

Some previous motherboard owners got a new Southbridge soldered
to their motherboard. You can try Asus tech support, and see whether
they will handle this under warranty or not.

Paul

>
> Thanks.
>
> On Apr 10, 10:39 pm, Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOS...@neo.rr.com> wrote:
>> I'd be more suspicious that the cable from the motherboard to the USB
>> socket was wired or plugged in wrong, and that you connected it
>> incorrectly (backwards, perhaps) and blew some things up.
>>
>> There have been some computer cases made with front USB sockets that
>> were wired just plain wrong from the factory. And, separate from that,
>> there are a couple dozen ways for someone installing the motherboard to
>> get front USB sockets wired wrong.
>>
>>
>>
>> Malam wrote:
>>> I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
>>> plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
>>> down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
>>> problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
>>> the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
>>> a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
>>> no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
>>> work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
>>> three years -can Asus repair or replace ?
>>> Thanks.- Hide quoted text -
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>

On Apr 11, 1:57 am, Paul <nos...@needed.com> wrote:
> Malam wrote:
> > Thanks Barry. The motherboard has two sockets on the mboard for USB
> > 5,6, 7 and 8. I had a cable connected to 5 and 6 that has been
> > working for more than a year with an Antec P180 case. The USB
> > external drive was connected to the system yesterday but was not
> > recognized. I went to the store this afternoon and was told I needed
> > to connect the drive to two USB sockets. Could this have been the
> > source of the problem ? The USB Drive is connected to my laptop now
> > and its working ok, but it never worked on the desk top. Looks like
> > I've fried the intel chip ? Can this be fixed or I should be looking
> > for another mboard?
>
> Is there any time left on the Asus warranty ?
>
> This sounds like the "latchup" problem. Especially if you find a very
> hot ICH5R. Latchup damage comes in several different forms, and the
> most severe leads to permanent damage. Some ICH5/ICH5R chips have a
> visible burn mark on the top. Others fail internally, killing the USB
> ports, but leaving the computer operational. The worst kind kills the
> motherboard, and since your computer will not POST, you could be dealing
> with the worst kind.
>
> To cause the latchup to stop, you need to unplug the computer (or
> at least make sure it is switched off at the back). Ideally, remove
> the battery as well (although the odds of the battery being able to
> maintain the latchup, via a sneak path through the CMOS well, and
> with the 1K ohm limiting resistor, are pretty slim). But chances are,
> after putting the battery back in, and powering the computer, you
> will be no better off. Removing all power should result in the
> chip returning to the cool state, so it won't get hot again. But
> if the lead frame or bond wires got burned, there is no repairing
> that.
>
> Some previous motherboard owners got a new Southbridge soldered
> to their motherboard. You can try Asus tech support, and see whether
> they will handle this under warranty or not.
>
> Paul
>
>
>
>
>
> > Thanks.
>
> > On Apr 10, 10:39 pm, Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOS...@neo.rr.com> wrote:
> >> I'd be more suspicious that the cable from the motherboard to the USB
> >> socket was wired or plugged in wrong, and that you connected it
> >> incorrectly (backwards, perhaps) and blew some things up.
>
> >> There have been some computer cases made with front USB sockets that
> >> were wired just plain wrong from the factory. And, separate from that,
> >> there are a couple dozen ways for someone installing the motherboard to
> >> get front USB sockets wired wrong.
>
> >> Malam wrote:
> >>> I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
> >>> plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
> >>> down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
> >>> problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
> >>> the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
> >>> a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
> >>> no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
> >>> work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
> >>> three years -can Asus repair or replace ?
> >>> Thanks.- Hide quoted text -
> >> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks Paul - I had the sytem disconnected from power and battery for
hours. Plus is has been down overnight. Still no post and after a
minute or two, the chip was very hot agian. I called ASUS support and
they gave me an RMA # to send the unit back. Will be shipping the
mboard back this afternoon.
Will keep you posted.

Got the replacement motherboard but its a P4P800E-DLX v 1.02. Its
installed and things are running ok. I have a couple of questions
though. Why is this board sent as an upgrade to the P4C800E-Deluxe ?
Are these boards not as prone to the ICH5R problems as the P4C800
series ?
Thanks.

On 11 Apr 2007 12:26:29 -0700, "Malam" <> wrote:

>On Apr 11, 1:57 am, Paul <nos...@needed.com> wrote:
>> Malam wrote:
>> > Thanks Barry. The motherboard has two sockets on the mboard for USB
>> > 5,6, 7 and 8. I had a cable connected to 5 and 6 that has been
>> > working for more than a year with an Antec P180 case. The USB
>> > external drive was connected to the system yesterday but was not
>> > recognized. I went to the store this afternoon and was told I needed
>> > to connect the drive to two USB sockets. Could this have been the
>> > source of the problem ? The USB Drive is connected to my laptop now
>> > and its working ok, but it never worked on the desk top. Looks like
>> > I've fried the intel chip ? Can this be fixed or I should be looking
>> > for another mboard?
>>
>> Is there any time left on the Asus warranty ?
>>
>> This sounds like the "latchup" problem. Especially if you find a very
>> hot ICH5R. Latchup damage comes in several different forms, and the
>> most severe leads to permanent damage. Some ICH5/ICH5R chips have a
>> visible burn mark on the top. Others fail internally, killing the USB
>> ports, but leaving the computer operational. The worst kind kills the
>> motherboard, and since your computer will not POST, you could be dealing
>> with the worst kind.
>>
>> To cause the latchup to stop, you need to unplug the computer (or
>> at least make sure it is switched off at the back). Ideally, remove
>> the battery as well (although the odds of the battery being able to
>> maintain the latchup, via a sneak path through the CMOS well, and
>> with the 1K ohm limiting resistor, are pretty slim). But chances are,
>> after putting the battery back in, and powering the computer, you
>> will be no better off. Removing all power should result in the
>> chip returning to the cool state, so it won't get hot again. But
>> if the lead frame or bond wires got burned, there is no repairing
>> that.
>>
>> Some previous motherboard owners got a new Southbridge soldered
>> to their motherboard. You can try Asus tech support, and see whether
>> they will handle this under warranty or not.
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Thanks.
>>
>> > On Apr 10, 10:39 pm, Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOS...@neo.rr.com> wrote:
>> >> I'd be more suspicious that the cable from the motherboard to the USB
>> >> socket was wired or plugged in wrong, and that you connected it
>> >> incorrectly (backwards, perhaps) and blew some things up.
>>
>> >> There have been some computer cases made with front USB sockets that
>> >> were wired just plain wrong from the factory. And, separate from that,
>> >> there are a couple dozen ways for someone installing the motherboard to
>> >> get front USB sockets wired wrong.
>>
>> >> Malam wrote:
>> >>> I just have a mishap with my system using the P4C800E Deluxe board. I
>> >>> plugged in a USB drive a few minutes ago and eveything just shuts
>> >>> down. My USB mouse, keyboard died and after a reboot to check the
>> >>> problem, the video display is gone too. I opened the unit and felt
>> >>> the Intel ICH5R chip and it was very hot - too hot to touch ! I read
>> >>> a while a go about problems with this board and the chip but have had
>> >>> no problems until now. If I let things cool down will the unit still
>> >>> work ? Or is the damage permanent ? I have this unit for more than
>> >>> three years -can Asus repair or replace ?
>> >>> Thanks.- Hide quoted text -
>> >> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>Thanks Paul - I had the sytem disconnected from power and battery for
>hours. Plus is has been down overnight. Still no post and after a
>minute or two, the chip was very hot agian. I called ASUS support and
>they gave me an RMA # to send the unit back. Will be shipping the
>mboard back this afternoon.
>Will keep you posted.

On Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:26:58 -0400, Paul <> wrote:

>malam wrote:
>> Got the replacement motherboard but its a P4P800E-DLX v 1.02. Its
>> installed and things are running ok. I have a couple of questions
>> though. Why is this board sent as an upgrade to the P4C800E-Deluxe ?
>> Are these boards not as prone to the ICH5R problems as the P4C800
>> series ?
>> Thanks.
>>
>
>Well, that is not right. A P4C800-E costs more than a P4P800-E.
>They are all prone to the latchup problem, and as far as I know,
>when repaired they can fail exactly the same way again.
>
>Talk to Asus and get a P4C800-E. They're not supposed to
>do that (downgrade).
>
> Paul

Thanks Paul:

I sent an email to ASUS a few minutes ago and will follow up with a
phone call during the week. What a deception - I am very disappointed
with ASUS Tech Support for this.

malam wrote:
> Got the replacement motherboard but its a P4P800E-DLX v 1.02. Its
> installed and things are running ok. I have a couple of questions
> though. Why is this board sent as an upgrade to the P4C800E-Deluxe ?
> Are these boards not as prone to the ICH5R problems as the P4C800
> series ?
> Thanks.
>

Well, that is not right. A P4C800-E costs more than a P4P800-E.
They are all prone to the latchup problem, and as far as I know,
when repaired they can fail exactly the same way again.

Talk to Asus and get a P4C800-E. They're not supposed to
do that (downgrade).

Paul