System is OFF but USB devices stay ON! G31m-Es2l

[keplenk]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a gigabyte g31m-es2l and it seems to be working fine. After putting in the CPU, memory, others, the first thing I noticed is that when I plugged in my external hard drive - 2.5" - USB powered (installing Windows 7 FROM a USB), it turned ON! I haven't even touched the power button. Ok, I just thought that maybe it is something else. So I went on, installed Windows 7 and it worked flawlessly.

Now, after installing Windows 7 and the drivers, I tried it again. Clicked Start > Shutdown ... shutting down .. everything turned off except the External hard drive. Now, it caught my attention.

I pulled out my other USB devices (usb powered devies) - a wireless USB - and it turned ON again! I then plugged my ipod, and it said Charging!

Now, I'm conviced that there is something wrong:

Troubleshooting done:

0. The bios was already updated to F9c and tried using other bios. Tried F5, F6, F7, F8, F3 but all are the same.

1. Turned off the system, Unplugged everything except CPU and power supply (power cord connected) - then plugged in my USB devices and it turned on.

2. I tried checking the BIOS and disabled any USB related features. I even disabled Wake up on LAN and other stuff. - still the same


The weird thing is I have a USB mouse and keyboard. Those devices turn off after shutdown. I tried replugging it and it doesn't turn on. Just other devices.

I don't have a spare power supply to use. Could it be the motherboard? How come that the USB keyboard and mouse doesn't have this problem? Do you think that it is faulty? I hate to RMA the thing. Just got it today! I never had any problems with Gigabyte motherboards.

Any troubleshooting step will greatly be appreciated.

Thank you.

EDIT: Power supply fan is not spinning but USB is still on.

EDIT2: Just to be clear, even when the system is already off (as long as the power cord is plugged to the outlet) as soon as I plug a USB device (except KB/Mouse) it turns on.

Sorry for my poor english

 

[seemingly random]

I've noticed this also. If you toggle the psu switch (or disconnect and reconnect the power cord), there will be no power to the usb devices until the computer power button is pressed. I don't know why this happens, but I don't think any of your components are malfunctioning.

You probably should have posted this in the power supply forum.

 

[keplenk]

Originally posted by: seemingly random
I've noticed this also. If you toggle the psu switch (or disconnect and reconnect the power cord), there will be no power to the usb devices until the computer power button is pressed. I don't know why this happens, but I don't think any of your components are malfunctioning.

You probably should have posted this in the power supply forum.

Thanks for replying.

You also have the same motherboard? I've had other gigabyte motherboards but this is the 1st time I've experienced this problem.

However, in my case, when I unplug the power cord while the usb external drive or any other devices is plugged, yes, it also turns off. But as soon as I replug the "power cable" it turns on right away (usb devices only), without even pushing the power button - but the computer is still off. It seems that in your case, when you remove the cable and replug it, the device will not turn back on, am I right?

I'm sorry If I've posted in the wrong thread. As I was thinking that this is a motherboard issue. Could it be the power supply?

Everything seems ok, the thing works great. I'm just bothered for the fact that there is still power when the power supply is off - which should be no. It seems dangerous if let say I forgot to remove devices and go to sleep or leave the house.

How I wish a have a spare PSU to use and check.

Mods, if I posted in the wrong thread, please move this in the PSU section. Sorry.

Any other Gigabyte G31M-ES2L rev 1.x owners have the same problem?

 

[seemingly random]

I've noticed it with various motherboards and various power supplies. One abit mb had two power leds on it 1) mb has power from psu 2) mb power has been "powered" on. So I guess it would consume a minuscule amount of power whenever it's plugged in and "off".

How long did you leave if off (or unplugged)? It could be as simple as some capacitors not being discharged.

I still don't think this is a "problem". You might be obsessing for no good reason. Get a kill-a-watt (~$20) power meter so you can see exactly what's happening.

You didn't necessarily post in the wrong thread. I just think some of psu guys might know about this.

 

[keplenk]

When I unplug the power cord, any usb devices turns off right away (2-3 secs). At first I thought it was a discharging issue but it was not. The power coming from a "powered off system" can turn on and spin my external 2.5" hard drive and leave it spinning for a long time (1 hour). It is that powerful. I guess it means that power is still constantly supplied even when the system is off.

Yup, I guess I'm just being obsessive compulsive in this matter but I was expecting a 100% working product. For now, it seems to be fine. But I'm afraid of long term damages.

The thing is I learned that I have to pay shipping to return this thing, if proven defective. Oh well. I'm really hoping that the PSU is the one causing this problem because I bought it in a local store.

Thanks again man!

 

[Binky]

Look for a jumper on the motherboard labled "+5vusb" or something like that. Change that jumper and see what happens. It could be a bios setting, but I'm used to seeing this as a physical (3 pin) jumper.

It sounds like your problem is actually a feature related to sleep/power and the ability to wake the system with USB devices.

 

[Fox5]

It's by design that USB devices are powered even when the system is off, how else could you charge things while the system was off or wake up systems using usb devices?

 

[Zap]

It's called 5VSB - 5 volt stand by. ATX power supplies provide some +5v power even when the system is off.

 

[keplenk]

Thanks for the replies!

Really? Is that normal. Weird ... I asked a friend that has the same motherboard and it does not do the same thing. I went and replaced the PSU and the problem still persist. I've had other gigabyte motherboards (newer) and it does not do this. I'm on my way home right now and I will check for that USB +5v jumper pins. Never realized that there is such a thing. New info for me - all a while I thought that sleep/wake functions are BIOS related only

Oh btw, I now noticed that my USB devices are MEGA slow, outside and inside the OS. I don't have a dvd and I'm installing windows 7/osx86 from USB external hard drive. Just to boot from the external drive to the first installation screen, it takes 30 mins!!! A normal dvd (as far as I remember) is less than 5 mins. Booting from OSX86 flash drive, it takes 45 mins, just to see the 1st screen! On my laptop, it takes 3 mins to boot. Booting off from ubuntu linux live cd - but placed in external drive - boots super slow to reach the desktop. I tried those same devices in my laptop and it boots fast. My laptop and this PC has both ICH7 Southbridge chipsets. I just reported now because when I reinstalled I noticed it. When I did it the first time, I was leaving the computer and I come back after a while. I never paid full attention in the installation times.

I already called the company where I bought it, they will replace it without me paying for shipping!

What a relief.

Thanks for the suggestion guys.

 

[jrichrds]

More often than not these days, if a motherboard doesn't have a +5vsb jumper, USB ports by default are powered when the system is in sleep or off.

Some boards have multiple +5vsb jumpers to selectively control which USB ports stay powered when the system isn't on (e.g. the Asus P5Q-EM has 4 +5vsb jumpers).