Electrostatic Discharge

[cliecx]

I was walking around the office with my NX80v in hand and as soon as I reached my desk I placed the clie on the cradle. Suddenly my computer started rebooting and after it restarted I couldn't do a hotsync anymore. I tried rebooting again and test the usb port with my scanner and it couldn't detect the scanner either. My clie works fine and the cradle syncs when I connect it to a different PC. The only explanation I can think of is that my usb port was burned or shorted by electrostatic discharge from walking around our carpeted floor.

Anybody had the same experience?

Thanks

[cliecx]

can anyone help?

[souslaterre]

Well I had computer reboots when interrupting an internet via cradle usb connection,
otherwise your explanation seems reasonable to me

[yorrick]

It sounds like your USB port has been fried.
Try another USB port on the PC, hopefully, only the local ciruitry has been damaged and the surrounding circuits have survived.

Otherwise, you will need to replace the USB card on which the ports reside on. Unfortunately, if the USB ports reside on the motherboard, then it's a case of disabling the hardware and buying a USB peripheral card...

[NJL!2016]

One way to get rid of electrostatic discharge is to touch one the screws that hold a light switch or power receptacle to the wall.

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

I learned this lesson the hard way several years ago, after frying a $600 motherboard.

ALWAYS TOUCH SOMETHING METAL OR GROUNDED before touching any part of your computer (unless you have all aluminum or steel computer cases, in which case you should touch your computer case before touching any part of your computer). ESD is no joke - it will FRY your valuable equipment beyond repair. Speaking from personal experience here.

GET IN THE HABIT, it's a lot cheaper than buying new equipment :D

Best wishes,
Bawko

[cliecx]

Thanks people. I guess I was right. Unfortunately my usb port is directly connected to the motherboard so I'll have to get me a usb pci card...or use the serial adapter that came witht he clie...

Thanks again!!!

[yorrick]

Discharging static electricity, the simplest way is to touch the chassis of the PC - especially near the power switch (the on/off to the power supply at the back, near the AC cord. NOT the power switch on the front of the PC).

The power supply casing is typically steel and is definitely earthed via the AC cable - so there is a good earthing point there.
The other thing it guarantees is that there is almost no differential between the PC and the cradle and that you won't generate any more static than necessary by exessive movements! :) :)

We live and learn.
Hopefully, we don't make mistakes that you only learn once (such as electrocution!).