• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Issue with HAF 942 case

K

Kainzo

Gawd
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
972
So it took me 3 or 4 hours to install my case and get it completely perfect. However, I find that whenever I try to plugin a USB into the front of the case - it shuts off immediately and restarts - as if it were grounding out - has anyone had a similar issue arise and been able to fix it? Thanks!
 
You need to double check your connections.... and did you use the MB standoffs? I see a lot of people istalling MB's without standoffs lately.. and the result is wierd shorts and things like this.
 
ya you probably have your internal usb 9 pin header plugged in incorrectly, check that.
 
Good possibility the USB is plugged into the 1394 port. The plugs have the same pattern but are most definitely NOT electrically compatible. Unplug all the connectors for the front panel plugs and carefully double check them. I would also plug them back in 1 at a time and start the system and check, one at a time, in your OS. This will help in case one of the plugs just has a short.
 
I think it may be the USB is plugged into the 1394 port .. standoffs - are on... Its grounding out somewhere.... And on a side note - after I installed my new Noctua cooler - every other computer restart gives me the message that "NEW CPU INSTALLED" I tried changing the battery - I've reseated the CPU probably 4 times (including new paste each time) - I'm at a loss of words to that one as well.

I will try fixing the 1394 port - I hit my case in anger while it was booting down and broke a fan blade (its now fixed with superglue!) Anyways DRAMA!
 
I'd have to agree that it's probably the usb plugged into the 1394. I've got two 942 and neither have this issue.
 
I double checked - it in-fact is not plugged into the 1394 on the board. I see that it is aptly named 1394_2 for the actual mother board and in the manual it is named 1394a (which points to the same spot that is labled 1394_2 on the motherboard)

I read here in the M4A89GTD PRO series that if you put a USB cable onto the board in the 1394 it could damage it - but i never did that and it was not the case - consequently I see my comp randomly freezing and my bios giving me issues.
 
it may be that the usb cable is mislabeled and is swapped with the 1439 cable. something to check.
try removing the 1439 cable from the MB. If nothing happens when you plug in the usb on the front then that was your problem.
 
An update - I removed the cables to the front of the case (usb and usb3.0 etc) and then also on the motherboard - the USB front pieces are inactive but I am more than fine with them not working - its not that important to me.

However, now I'm experiencing severe freezing issues. in BIOS, in windows - etc ... its random - happens 5-20 mins apart - all temps are VERY cool (cpu is at 25-30c and gpu is normal)
 
Kainzo said:
An update - I removed the cables to the front of the case (usb and usb3.0 etc) and then also on the motherboard - the USB front pieces are inactive but I am more than fine with them not working - its not that important to me.

However, now I'm experiencing severe freezing issues. in BIOS, in windows - etc ... its random - happens 5-20 mins apart - all temps are VERY cool (cpu is at 25-30c and gpu is normal)
Click to expand...

You might have a flakey motherboard or RAM. Do a memtest86 using a Linux live CD to test your RAM to rule it out. Also what are the specs of your system, especially your power supply.
 
Definitely sounds like something is flaky. My money is on ram or psu.
 
An update:

It turns out the 'random' reboots when plugging in a USB is related to the mobo - it is a design flaw and there are hundreds of other users experiencing the same issue with this motherboard. However, I have resolved that by unplugging the entire usb/etc lines from the front of the case (I dont care about using them if theres a chance of reset) there seems to be another issue happening now. First, ill say that when I was turning my entire case upright (While powered on) - it randomly shut off. Big deal right? WRONG. The entire PSU just died at that point. 6 hours later, I come back with a brand spanking new PSU. It is still freezing and having issues.

Backstory:
None of this was happening before I installed the Noctua D14 cooler. I think this is causing the issues with the freezing - its apparent to me that the cooler is far too heavy for the actual motherboard - despite it being installed properly. I think the weight of the cooler is causing the motherboard (or cpu) to bend or become unseated thus causing the issue.

I have had the case on its side for 6 hours and it didnt happen - when turning it up right, it happened within 10-20mins.
 
I would just RMA the board or swap it for a different model if a lot of people have the same or similar issues and yes downtime does suck.
 
have you tried putting on a stock cooler and see if it happens with that
 
Here's an interesting update!

I took my computer completely apart. I unscrewed the motherboard - I got new stoppers/etc, I unhooked myheatsink and I cleaned off the paste on both.

I reput in the backplate - ensuring it was tightly pressed against the motherboard - I used the Noctua fan kit to ensure everything was firmed attached. At this point while the board was out of the case I attached the cpu and the heatsink.

I think bareboned the build - with the Noctua cooler - no errors/freezing. So I started screwing the motherboard to the case/chasis - After lightly screwing in each screw with the paper/rubber stoppers - I realized that it may be a grounding issue. I attempted to power on the board with all screwed VERY lightly secured, It would not POST - I unscrewed the top left screw and attempted the post again - It posted. At this point I knew it was a grounding issue.

I ensured that all the screws on the mobo were secured - I left the case its on its side so the weight of the heatsink had no bearing on the cpu (if this were it) - it ran for 12+ hours with no freezes.

I then sat the case upright - tested for a POST - GREAT! it worked at that point... HOWEVER - 20 mins into playing a game (or just sitting at desktop it happened 2+ times) It froze. On the LAST freeze - it would not post after trying to turn it back on. I believe it has to do with the weight of the Heatsink for the CPU - causing the screwed to slip and perhaps ground out the mobo. The screwed arent hard on the board - they are firmly enough where I wouldnt be able to ground it myself by tugging or pulling.

I believe this is an issue with perhaps this board or the mismatch compatibility with the heatsink.

My next steps are 1) RMA the board or 2) RMA the heatsink or 3) Play happily with the case on its side (I dont want to this) - has anyone else have a suggestion for me to try to stop the grounding issues?
 
I'm too lazy to take apart my Noctua but do you have the foam padding on the backplate?
 
nxcess said:
I'm too lazy to take apart my Noctua but do you have the foam padding on the backplate?
Click to expand...
I actually did not notice foam padding. its the stock one that came with this board though and works fine with the heatsink (stock)

It finally started freezing while it was on its side so I removed the noctua cooler and I am attempting to use the stock heatsink again - no crash in 10ish hours yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top