GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 restart problem

[nib_star]

Bought this board 2 weeks ago with a new case that has external front panel sound/usb ports. Recently, when I plugged in my Iphone to the front USB port, the system restarted automatically, this happened only once.

One week later, same restart, except when I plugged in my headphones jack.. any ideas why this might be happening?

This happened only once a piece with multiple use, still it is beginning to worry me..

GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 v.2.0
Intel i5-2500k
XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIe
Kingston XMP 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 (2x4GB) running it at v1.56
Sony Optiarc 24X DVDRW SATA
XFX PRO550W Core Edition Full Wired 80+Bronze PSU
WD Caviar 250GB SATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-6G
NZXT Tempest 210 USB 3.0 Crafted Mid Tower

[Lsdmeasap]

Sounds like you may have a short, either within the front panel cables, or in the front panel connections themselves.

Verify this by using a different case's cables and connections and see if they work smoothly.

[Dark Mantis]

I would also say that it sounds like some sort of power issue to me. Although the power supply should be big enough in theory it might be worth trying to borrow another higher power one for a few days to see if it does make a difference. Make sure that it is a god quality and preferably a single 12v rail.

[Rolo42]

Check the jack's connections to the motherboard.

Touch a grounded piece of metal (electrostatic discharge) before plugging your devices in.

If you could temporarily use another PSU to troubleshoot, do so.

I'm not a fan of monorail PSUs and the PSU in question here does have a single, 44A 12v rail.  It also struggles to stay within tolerance:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=225

[nib_star]

Check the jack's connections to the motherboard.

Touch a grounded piece of metal (electrostatic discharge) before plugging your devices in.

If you could temporarily use another PSU to troubleshoot, do so.

I'm not a fan of monorail PSUs and the PSU in question here does have a single, 44A 12v rail.  It also struggles to stay within tolerance:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=225

I am appreciative of your quick response, however I am having a hard time convincing my self that plugging in basic ear bud headphones into the front panel case audio jack will cause power failure and restart my system, because of the PSU..

I also want to specify, that it happened only ONCE out of tens of different plug-ins and outs, including the USB in the front.

[nib_star]

I would also say that it sounds like some sort of power issue to me. Although the power supply should be big enough in theory it might be worth trying to borrow another higher power one for a few days to see if it does make a difference. Make sure that it is a god quality and preferably a single 12v rail.

Hmm, well I took a look inside my BIOS, and these are the reading I found in the Health section:

Vcore : 1.224v
DDR15v: 1.560v
+12v: 12.220v
Vcc3: 3.334v
Vtt: 1.064v

Any indication that I might be under-powered?

[Rolo42]

I also want to specify, that it happened only ONCE out of tens of different plug-ins and outs, including the USB in the front.

Which was enough to get you here, troubleshooting it.  (I would be also.)

re: BIOS voltage screen.  Power = Voltage x Current; you are only looking at part of the equation.  Additionally, BIOS is at idle, which doesn't show how its performing under load and under varying loads.  These PSUs are far from the AC adapter bricks that come with most electronic devices.

I gave you three things I would try, in order of significance.  Here's a fourth (should be #1 actually): check your earth ground.  If you have an UPS, it should tell you if its good or not (house wiring fault indicator).

[nib_star]

Hey roll, you are alright man.

Will do. Thanks for the advice.