USB Over Current

[Ray_001]

Hey all,
So I have a notebook Sony Vaio type G and just a few days ago I plugged in my external hard drive into the Vaio on one of its USB ports. To my surprise, the screen went black and the computer seemed to have shut itself down. I later found out that there was a problem with the external hard drive (short circuited?) but now whenever I boot up my Vaio it shows an error screen saying 'USB Over Current on HC/Port...' The computer then continues to boot into Windows after the error screen. However, that one USB port doesn't work after I'm in Windows, and it seems as if Windows doesn't detect it either since the Device manager doesn't show anything abnormal.

I'm hoping this is a software issue...I've already tried resetting the bios to setup defaults. Perhaps flashing the bios would be more effective, but how would I do that? Sony only provides bios updates, and the bios upgrade program won't let me re-update since I already have the latest version.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Sinizter]

Sounds like the port has been damaged by too much current being sent through it when the hard drive was connected to it.

If resetting the computer and your tried setting the BIOS to factory defaults and it didnt cure the problem, it is unlikely that a BIOS flash will. But it is certainly worth a try.

[peterb]

Hey all,
However, that one USB port doesn't work after I'm in Windows, and it seems as if Windows doesn't detect it either since the Device manager doesn't show anything abnormal.

I'm hoping this is a software issue...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

as the previous poster said, it sounds more likely that the short cct on the hard drive has damaged the port hardware. How many USB ports are there on the machine? Do any of them work? If it is only the one physical port, it might be worth looking at it closely to see if there is any physical damage to the connector such as a something tracking across the connectors (caused by the high current during the short) but it is very much a long shot.

If the laptop is out of warranty, it might be worth opening it up to see if there is anything obvious. If it is within warranty, make a claim. (Bad design IMHO if a short on the USB port causes damage though - the power supply lines should be current limited)

[Ray_001]

I have 2 usb ports in this vaio, and no, the port that I plugged the external in to looks fine. I can't believe the hard drive could do permanent damage to this computer...I plugged the external into another notebook computer, the screen went black as well but there was no apparent damage.
It is in warranty, but the problem is the computer was purchased in Asia and I am currently in North America.
Here is a link to the actual error screen:

So I guess my question now is how, if I wanted to, would I do a bios flash?

[listy]

might be better to mail sony tbh

doing some reading it seems be south bridge chip problem but only folk who will be able to help is sony

so i cant see flash curing it

[Steve]

USB ports are quite sturdy.

But they do tend to fuse if something goes wrong. Luckily they're usually resettable.

On a desktop, you'd turn the power off on the PSU to kill the mainboard's standby power.

On a laptop, I guess pull the battery and hit the power button a couple of times... Try it!

[peterb]

USB ports are quite sturdy.


On a laptop, I guess pull the battery and hit the power button a couple of times... Try it!

Sounds a good plan - nothing to lose by it! (Fingers crossed)

[Ray_001]

Well, I tried unplugging the battery, hitting the power button a few times, then plugging the ac power back in...no luck

[Steve]

Damn, must be knackered.

Best get the RMA process underway, I think.

[Jay]

http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/M..._22643673.html

yes, this guy found that it was the USB shorting out. RMA is your only option.

[Ray_001]

what's RMA?

[shadowmaster]

RMA stands for Return Merchandise Authorization.

It simple words returning a defective product and having it replaced or repared. RMAs are normally done under warranty.

[da_ging]

you could try unplugging it and removing the battery for half an hour or so and then turning it on by holding the power button for 10 seconds or so which resets some laptops