Help me out please! DFI mobo probs

[Nox]

OK, even if you're not 100% sure, I need some ideas.

I'm getting sparks from the grounded parts of my DFI mobo (lan/firewire casing etc) to any 'powered' USB device I plug in. ie an external USB HD, and a logitech bluetooth hub (mouse charger one)

It is working fine other than that, but its worrying me.

Heres the catch, I've allready taken the mobo out of the computer, and its on the table, alone. I have just the 24 pin PSU connector in, i've even removed the onboard sound module. It doesn't even need to be on, and it will still spark. The HD is fine on 3 other computers i've tried.

Any ideas? I'm starting to clutch at straws - is our house not earthed or something?!??! i've even tried in different rooms!

Nox

[Hans Voralberg]

Sounds scary, i suggest putting the issues on DFI-Streets as there are more DFI technician there

[Nox]

allready done that...

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/show...517#post283517

Told my case/board wasn't properly grounded! Not entirely sure how to 'properly ground it' without using an earth strap from the earth on the PSU cable directly to the case!

Nox

[Nox]

and onto the earth strap - its actually looking like I have two faulty USB devices, they both spark to an earthed cable, but bizarrely won't spark to my other computer, which i'm wondering now whether its grounded properly.

Far too confusing/worrying.

Nox

[Zad]

It could be that one (or all) of your mains sockets are mis-wired. It's not unusual to find the live and neutral wires transposed!

Mike

[Nox]

Thats a worrying thought!

Think i'll bring one of the sparking devices into work and try it here. I have tried a few different rooms too, but I guess they would all be on the same ring.

Nox

[Thorsson]

Only problem with that is surely the other computer would have similar problems. Could try testing at another location to be sure that it's not house specific.

The presence of a spark shows that one side (mobo or USB device) is carrying a high voltage without any current. This would normally mean that it is not earthed (I think we can discount a build up of "static" by other means). Given that everything else can be duplicated with the other computer and no problems, logically it must be the DFI setup.

I'd tend to think it was the PSU though. Have you tried swapping the PSU?

[nvening]

Do you live in the uk? Is the earth wire (from the psu i think) attatched to one of the screw holes on ur mobo?