Computer Freezes When Case Is touched

[Beta]

Computer Freezes When Case Is touched
My case is a Corsair 800D and I have built computer for a very long time. I have never experienced this before and want to know how to address this issue. Tomorrow I am going to reseat the MB as my first step in trying to fix this issue. Look at my system specs to see the complete build.

 

[A Guy]

Just lightly touching it anywhere? Does it freeze until you take your finger off? It is very odd, but would seem to point to some sort of grounding issue. It is of great concern, and you will want to figure it out as soon as possible!

A Guy

 

[Beta]

Some times when I put one finger on it it locks up. Some times I can touch it up to three times (taping). If I put my hand on the case it locks up right away. I had another MB in this case and never had an issue with it so I know there is something wrong with some type of grounding with this MB that is the issue.

 

[A Guy]

I agree, it may not be contacting the standoffs correctly. If the problem is repeatable, you might be able to confirm this by identifying a ground point on the MB, and connecting an alligator clip from it to the chassis. A Guy

 

[Beta]

Ok, just re seated the MB and still locks up. Which ground point should I use? The Rampage IV E has several ground points. I was thinking using the connectors that came with the MB for voltage measurements and connect that to the ground to the case. Would this solve this.

Also when I was re seating the MB I noticed that the shilding on the IO back plate was bare on the right side next to the audio out puts. The far most right ones only were shiled from half of the port width.

 

[A Guy]

I'd think the ground for voltage measurements would be ideal. It will at least tell you if a general MB grounding is the issue. Since touching the metal case seems to cause a freeze, it would have to be hardware related somehow I'd think. Although there could be both cold ground, and hot ground parts of a MB (I am unsure if this applies to PC MBs). The ground testpoint for voltage measurements would have to be a cold ground. A Guy

 

[Beta]

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...ds/208316d1335074154-show-us-your-rig-3-2.jpg

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...ds/208315d1335074154-show-us-your-rig-3-1.jpg

On the upper right of the MB are the voltage and ground measurement points I was thinking about attaching the wire to the extra standoff to the right of that spot. What do you think?

 

[A Guy]

Hard to say with those pictures But the chassis is ground. The MB grounds to the chassis through the standoffs usually. So as long as you are sure the MB test point is a ground, then any point on the case (chassis) would work. A Guy

 

[Beta]

So the ground on the MB does not have a pin out only a place for you to soder a wire onto. So until I find a better solution I attached a wire to the back side of the MB back plate and use one of the un-used treaded holes to mount the wire. Then I ran the wire to the out side of the case and use an extra power supply plug and put the wire into the ground and then pluged the cable into the wall. Now the case is grounded.

I need a better solution then this.

 

[A Guy]

I take it touching the case does not freeze the PC now? Is the MB under warranty, because no way should you have to add any ground wires.

A Guy

 

[Beta]

It was the lights for my case. I had 55v running through my case. I removed the light controler and now I have less then 1v. Still having the same issue. I took the MB out of the case and put it into another and it was fine. Put another MB in the 800d and when I toched it the computer froze. So I know it is not the MB. It seems there is an issue with the MB try not being grounded. If I have the extra ground cable touching another piece of metal in the case it is fine. I think I may call Corsair and have a talk with them.

 

[A Guy]

Yes, you have the case hot. Either something is disconnected, painted/plated when it shouldn't be, or miswired (header connection?). A Guy

 

[Beta]

I am starting to think it is the PSU. If I take of either of the doors it still runs. However when I put the doors back on it freezes. My friend has the same model PSU so I will have to call him and borow it tomarrow.

I looked over the wires and it looked ok. The only lose wire is the fire wire front connector since this MB does not have firewire.

 

[A Guy]

Interesting, if the PSU isn't isolated from the case, and has internal grounding issues... Sounds plausible. A Guy

 

[Beta]

The Corsair 800D has stands that are 1/4 inch tall and run as long as the 1200 watt corsair PSU is. I have some roofing rubber that I could rest it on to test.

Almost everything in this case is corsair so they should be helpful if I call them since they can't say that it not one of our products affecting it.

I know that the PSU is supposed to ground everything back to the ground on the outlet.

 

[Dwarf]

Do you have a simple test meter handy? For this, it doesn't matter whether it is analogue or digital (although a digital one, with continuity test facility, would be better). Set the meter to resistance mode (analogue) or continuity mode (digital).

Power off the computer and unplug the mains lead. Using the meter, touch one probe on the case and one on the case of the PSU. Is the resistance 0 ohms (if using digital, does the buzzer sound)? If the measurement is high or the buzzer doesn't sound, check the PSU mounting. You might need to scrape around where one of the mounting screws goes in order to get to clean metal (sometimes, there is a light lacquer coating and this can prevent a clean connection). You could also try inserting a shakeproof washer in order to force a good connection between PSU and case (this would go between the PSU and case, not simply under the crew head).

Test again. If this test now passes, move one of the probes so that it is now contacting the earthing pin of the mains electrical connector. If this test shows high resistance (or the buzzer doesn't sound), then there is potentially an internal fault with the PSU whereby the case is not connected to ground. This is potentially quite dangerous, because if a fault develops within the PSU, the case could become live at the full potential of the mains supply.

 

[Beta]

I am going to do all of the test that have be sugested and some of my own tomarrow. I will update all of the test results.

 

[Beta]

It is not the PSU. Used my friends same issue.

Tried everyones ideas and still same issue.

So I contacted Corsair and within 20min they got back to me with this:

The most common grounding issue source is the front I/O panel. Let's try to replace it:

In order to receive the replacement spare part, please follow these steps:

- Please visit this link: Corsair
- If you already have Corsair Web Store login ID and password, please login.
- If you don’t have Corsair Web Store login ID and password, please create one by following this URL: https://shop.corsair.com/customer/account/create/
- Add this item: Obsidian Series® 800D/700D Front Panel USB 3.0 Upgrade Kit - Case Parts - Parts
- Add the spare part(s) to your shopping cart
- Go to your shopping cart to review the parts
- Enter the coupon code: xxxxxxxxxxx (do not copy and paste, type this in manually)
- Checkout
- Complete your shipping information
- Choose the free ($0.00) shipping method
- Confirm your order

Please note that the part will be shipped out to you free of charge, you don’t need to enter your payment information for this order. The coupon code is only good for 7 days from the date issued. This coupon is only good for 1 use.

Once order confirmed, please allow 5-10 business days for delivery completion.
Please let us know if you have any question. Thank you.

 

[A Guy]

Ahhh, that's what I meant by the header, the connections to the front panel. At least they are responsive and will help. Let us know how it goes. A Guy

 

[Beta]

Just got the replacement parts today and will install them tonight. I will post what happens.