Front USB Ports and Card Reader not Working

I'm having a problem that I think I brought on by myself. 

I have a Bolt II that I bought right around New Years, and it's the most amazing rig I've ever owned!  Seriously.  This thing does exactly what I want it to and when I want it to.  Well worth every penny!

Unfortunately, I managed to do something stupid and now the front USB ports, card reader, etc. no longer respond.

I was plugging in an external hard drive, and it's one that I've used before during data transfer from my crappy old computer.  I couldn't see very well, so I felt around the side until I found the port and plugged the drive in, but my hand slipped and I yanked the thing back out right after the computer made it's familiar "bleep" to let me know that there was a new device.  Now it doesn't recognize anything that's plugged into any of the front ports.

I tried plugging in a flash drive, putting the camera's SD card into its slot, etc.  It doesn't recognize anything.  I know the back ones work, as my mouse, keyboard, and printer are plugged in back there, and I'm obviously able to type.

Any ideas?

- Intel Core i5 4690K CPU
- 8GB 1600MHz Memory
- NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB
- 120GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD
- 1TB 7200RPM Storage HDD
- GIGABYTE Z97N-WIFI (Intel Z97 Chipset) (Mini-ITX)
- 500W Digital Storm PSU
- Microsoft Windows 8.1

Good ideas.     If that doesn't work,  I'd also turn it off, unplug it, hold in the power on button for several seconds and then re hook it up.   Could be a gremlin floating around that needs to be cleared.

I don't have the Bolt 2 to give you any definite answer, but if you take off the left and right side panels, thumbscrews on the back,  are there Philips head screws on either side of the front panel, top and bottom, that allow you to pull the front away so you can peek in there?    Either the board they all are hooked to is now bad or a wire or wires has come loose that goes from the front panel to the motherboard.  

If nothing seems apparent I'd call DS.  They'll know for sure the best way to go.  They're closed on weekends so today if time allows. 


Edited by bprat22 - 13 Feb 2015 at 6:52am

There ya go.  Can't beat the voice of experience.  

Thanks for all the replies!  I just got back home after being gone for a few days, so I'll be sure to give them a try.

Hi TechyViking,

It sounds like the front USB PCB board might have got damaged, we can help send you a new replacement PCB board that you can swap out if you are comfortable doing it.

Feel free to contact our team directly for help with this.

Fingers crossed on you trying to get the screw out, you might need to use a different tool bit that can fully grab the screw head.

If you can't get a grip on the screw and the head is stripped, you can use a small drill bit and either, drill it out enough to break the head, or just enough to use an Easy out bolt extractor.  I've used them a ton of times and they work great.

But, you have to make sure no metal shards get into the rig.   This is a last resort but sometimes is necessary. 


Edited by bprat22 - 26 Feb 2015 at 7:05am

An old trick I use that has often worked on stripped screws or ones with rounded slots. (or ones that just won't break free)

Note: you might need a 1/4 inch drive set with adapters to get around the edge of the frame or whatever.

Get a battery operated drill with a clutch, like
http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless-screwdrivers--screwguns-screwdrivers-dcf610s2.aspx

Set the clutch to 1 and try it. The clutch will just chatter when it can't turn the screw. Let it chatter a bit before going to the next step. Step up 1 number at a time until it breaks the screw loose. Once the screw is loose you can remove it with the screwgun or a regular screwdriver. whichever is easier.

The clutch allows the screwgun to act like an impact wrench and hammer the screw to unlock it's grip.

Hope this helps.

PS: if you can get at it the ball end of a ball peen hammer will work to 'redifine' the screw slot for a better grip.



Edited by Pacesetter - 27 Mar 2015 at 8:27pm