Resettable fuse on a motherboard

[Roadkill203]

The motherboard that I'm working on (Aopen AX4B-533) has a resettable fuse. I'm having a problem with an internal USB 9 pin connector - there are two 9 pin connectors, and every time that I attach a device to either one, I get a WIndows error message that says that the device is drawing too much power. I re-capped this board (bulged caps), and it seems to be working fine, except for the error message (the error message was there before the re-cap - I was hoping that the re-cap would fix it!).

I have a feeling that this fuse needs to be reset, but I can't find a procedure for it anywhere. Does anyone know if this fuse gets reset manually, or is it an automatic thing? The motherboard manual is HERE, if anyone is interested. Thanks!

[Roadkill203]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Nothing?

[arneson]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

It might be worth while to use a powered usb hub as a test of the usb ports.
If your hub supplying its own 5v power allows 500ma of usb load you may operate that way as a work around.

[bgavin]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Internal 9-pin, tells me you have a polarized header for USB on the board.

Q: are you using the factory USB bracket that came with the board?

If any doubt at all, you should get a VOM and ring out the pins and match to the USB pins on the bracket. The earlier header pinouts aren't very standardized, so there is a high probability you might be drawing a voltage to ground, i.e. over current.

[Roadkill203]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Internal 9-pin, tells me you have a polarized header for USB on the board.

Q: are you using the factory USB bracket that came with the board?

I'm trying to add an internally connected 9 pin USB media card reader. I've tested this device on another machine, and it works flawlessly, so I don't think that the device has a problem, I think it's the motherboard. I'll try to find a wiring diagram, and test the voltages on each pin.

[Wizard]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

CAUTION!!

There are some that is non-standard pinout for USB headers on the mainboard.
vertify if you have manual!

Cheers, Wizard

[gg1978]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

The easiest way to make 100% sure your polyfuses have been reset is simply to turn the computer off, and unplug the line cord, and hit the power button to discharge the PSU caps.. The fuses open under overcurrent conditions, and only reset when the load is removed, or the power is turned off, and the fuse cools back off, reconnected the overloaded part of the circuit.

[Roadkill203]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Well, this motherboard must have a non-standard 9 pin layout. The issue that I was having is that my customer wanted an internal media card reader installed in his computer, but whenever I tried to attach one to the 9 pin connector on the motherboard, the over-power message would pop up, and everything would freeze, until I disconnected the device from the 9 pin connector. I found a bunch of bulged capacitors on the MB, so as per the instructions here, I replaced all of the lager rated capacitors, thinking that it would solve my error message. After the re-cap job, the error message still popped up, very discouraging.

I found a 5 pin media card reader (at Worst Buy), and attached it to the 4 pins on the bottom of the 9 pin connector. The only difference is that the 5 pin media card reader doesn't have any front USB connections, the 9 pin media card reader does (no big deal for my customer), so I conneceted it following the color pattern of the 9 pin device that I had (black, green, white, red), same problem. I reversed the connection, and the 5 pin device works like a charm! I have been able to read/write to different types of media cards without a problem; my customer will be happy! Thanks to all that replied.

[bgavin]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Most of the USB header plugs I've seen allow for pin removal. This is a time-consuming and irritating pain in the ass. You will either give away a lot of time ringing out each line, or make a lot of money from a client willing to pay for that time.

I have to draw the line at this sort of stuff with my clients. If they are willing to pay several hours' time, that is different. None are willing so far. Use an external reader.

[Roadkill203]

Re: Resettable fuse on a motherboard

Most of the USB header plugs I've seen allow for pin removal. This is a time-consuming and irritating pain in the ass. You will either give away a lot of time ringing out each line, or make a lot of money from a client willing to pay for that time.

I have to draw the line at this sort of stuff with my clients. If they are willing to pay several hours' time, that is different. None are willing so far. Use an external reader.

I hear ya, it's just that I'm not a pro by any stretch of the imagination. I do PC repair and upgrades as a side gig, so it's quite enjoyable to me to fix a problem that the local computer repair shop won't touch! It's the experiance that's more valuable to me, rather than the time spent on a repair. So yeah, I went with the internal 5 pin. I could have re-arranged the pins, but I'll save the 9 pin card reader for some future project.

I've jumped light years ahead in the terms of what I will fix and what I won't. I used to turn down re-cap jobs, but by reading this forum, I've done three so far, two turned out excellent, one was a total disaster (the motherboard was damaged beyond repair by moi!), and I couldn't be happier or more satisfied with the results! Each board that I re-cap is an opportunity to learn something else. I've developed my own system for de-soldering/soldering caps. So thanks to all from Badcaps.net for all of the help!