Can overheating cause USB device connection failures...

[Dew itt right]

I'v ereinstalled Vista x64 twice and I'm still getting the same problem. In the middle of usage, the window pops up down by the taskbar saying something like "USB device not recognized" and all of the USB connected devices are instantly disconnected from the PC. The system still functions but now I'm using a USB keyboard and mouse so I have to reboot every time.

My system is in the sig. I'm using a SFF case so airflow is somewhat limited (although now the side panel is off and it's still doing it). Could something be overheating and causing the USB controller to fail? Even when I try to reinstall the chipset driver I get all kinds of installation failures and freeze-ups so I'm wondering if it's not a faulty board. Any help is greatly appreciated...

 

[Dangman]

Well to rule out overheating causing USB failures, reassemble the PC outside of the case and have a house fan, if possible, blowing on the mobo while the PC is running. No issues = overheating is a cause for the USB failures.

But it really does sound like a faulty mobo since you're mentioned installation issues with the chipset drivers.

 

[ochadd]

I have seen overheating cause USB failures on a couple Dell machines. They both were in very dusty areas where cardboard dust built up fast. Blowing them out always brought them out of it.