USB Power Surge/Device shocked me on touch

[bitplayer]

I have been using a 3rd party 360 controller for gaming for the past 2 years. Last night I got up to adjust the AC, came back, touched it and it shocked me. Then Windows 7 gave me the "USB Power Surge" error. I tried power cycling the pc. I unplugged the USB headers (these are the ones on the case) from the motherboard and plugged them back in.

That controller doesnt work now on my machine (Windows says it isnt recognized) and it wont work on my 360 so I take it, it died.

My question is this though. Sometimes, maybe 1 out of ever 20 times I plug in a usb device like another controller or mouse or flash drive my monitor flickers for a second.

Any suggestions?

 

[oscer1]

Hi
My first thought would check the ground on the wall outlet and ground on the computer.

 

[bitplayer]

Well, I have it plugged into a APC batter back up system. So Im not technically getting power from the wall. Im getting it from my APC unit.

 

[oscer1]

I would still check all grounds. Maybe try using it plugged into another source.

 

[bitplayer]

Could I be doing damage to my other components.

 

[oscer1]

Well I can't say for curtain it will damage other coponents. The bad controller might off damaged the usb controller on motherboard. I would at least check the ground.

 

[bitplayer]

How does one "check the ground?"

 

[oscer1]

Do you have an ohm meter

 

[bitplayer]

I do not have an ohm meter.

 

[oscer1]

Well to check ground you will need one. Maybe a friend or relieve has one you could use.
.

 

[bitplayer]

Lets say I have a problem with my ground. Is this an issue with the wall socket or my power cord?

 

[oscer1]

Lets say I have a problem with my ground. Is this an issue with the wall socket or my power cord?

Can not say what one would be the cause would need to test them both

 

[bitplayer]

Right, but Im saying it would be one of them right? So if it is a grounding issue then couldnt I just switch to another outlet with another cord?

 

[oscer1]

Right, but Im saying it would be one of them right? So if it is a grounding issue then couldnt I just switch to another outlet with another cord?

Yes. That's why I said earlier to try another power source.

 

[bitplayer]

Does an outlet that is about 10' away in the same room a good one to test?

 

[oscer1]

Possibly can't hurt to try they might be on the same circuit though. Just trying to rule out a grounding problem might not be the ground causing the problem.

 

[bitplayer]

Lets say its not the ground. How else could we fix this?

 

[Ranger4]

bitplayer, I gather from what you have said that you were playing on your computer & got up to adjust the Air Conditioner, is this correct & when you returned you got a shock from your 360 controller, is this also correct.

The 360 controller runs off the USB circuit of a computer & the maximum voltage is about 5 volts, which is not enough to give you any sort of shock.

I think the shock you experienced was in fact static electricity travelling from you to the 360 controller & that has blown a circuit in the controller. Carpets, certain types of clothing & vinyl chair coverings can generate static electricity.

The "USB Power Surge Error" you received is usually caused by too much power being drawn by a USB device or devices & not by a mains power surge, which I think you may have incorrectly diagnosed.
Are you using an external USB hub & if so how many devices are plugged into it.

 

[Layback Bear]

It could be you gathered static electricity from something you or your apparel touched.

Some people are more susceptible than others to static electricity.

Static electricity can destroy electronic devices of all kinds.
Static electricity can reach voltage of 25,000 volts.

Their are thousands of websites on static electricity if one care to look. Here is one.

The Shocking Truth Behind Static Electricity

 

[bitplayer]

You've got it all correct.

No, Im not using an externally powered hub. I have my keyboard and mouse plugged into the back of the motherboard and my controller is plugged into my case USB 3.0/2.0 ports (NZXT H440).

I asked my IT guy about it and he said to bleed the system of power. I left it unplugged for 20 minuets last night and havent been able to replicate the screen being messed up. I will try again tonight.

UPDATE: I tried plugging in my controller into my RaspberryPi and it doesnt recognize it either, so I think its safe to say I shocked my controller and killed it.

I guess my real fear at this point is could I have damaged my system if it was plugged in and running and I shocked a component. Could the controller of fed electricity back into my motherboard and damaged it?