Hey... I have 2 systems that are very static sensitive. The smallest amount of static discharge to the outter USB face will cause the system to shut down, either your finger, pen drive, or USB cable. Most of the time you dont see of hear the static, but it shuts it down. Othertimes I have heard or felt it.
The systems are both new builds, all from individually purchased parts. The tower case is a cheapie, steel box with plastic front. Both systems, the motherboard is a MSI ( PM8M-V ) Socket 478 running a 3.0Ghz Pentium 4 CPU and 1GB Ram. The tower is a Athenatech (
http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=6786551 ) picture and description can be found at link.
I disassembled the systems cases to remove their front and thought that if I soldered a wire between the outer USB shell and tied it to chasis ground that it would disipate the static discharge to the chasis instead of directly to the USB port, which then use to travel directly down the internal cable to the motherboard.
This wire has had no affect in reducing the amount of shut downs .... Anyone know if they make USB surge supressors .... I was thinking of maybe using an external USB hub, but it will most likely just travel down the hub to the system. Oddly I have about 20 other computers in this office and the others dont have this problem, so it is a hardware specific problem.
I suppose I could spray the whole office down with that static guard spray, but I dont want to use any chemicals in my office that could cause health problems.... I could also put in a humidifier to increase the humidity, but not good around $30,000 servers where you want it to be dry and cool.
I tried to do away with the carpeted floor, but the landlord wont allow for it to be replaced with tile...Go figure!
Not sure what other options I have??? Any suggestions??? Other than having to remove the systems from the room....
I'd replace the case if I knew that was the problem ... But dont want to waste $120 and not have the problem solved...
Thanks :-?
