A shorted USB input can cause more problem ...

 

Image Source: PCmag

I had a bad scare just a few days ago!

I was installing my unsuccessfully returned Transcend SSD into my PC when something horrifying happened! 

My PC went dead! It won't turn on at all!

And worst, it was leaking electricity! I just kept getting small jolts of shocks when I touched any USB ports, any exposed metal or even the screws on my casing!

I thought it must be the problem with my power supply unit (PSU)! So I removed it and did a paperclip test by inserting the 2 ends of a paperclip into 2 different pins to try and short it. (You can see the tutorial here) And somehow, it still didn't run! So the PSU is probably dead. 

I asked a friend of mine and he said that I probably fried my motherboard! Which made my heart sink! If a motherboard is fried, it could also affected everything else that is connected to it - like the GPU, ram and even the SSD/HDD! I was pretty devastated, I just spent more than a thousand on my PC and it's dead now!!!

However, my friend told me not to despair yet and do further testing first. So I removed my current PSU and then run an old PSU on it (but it's missing the GPU PCIe cable connector and it has only a 4 pin connector instead of 2x4 pin which my motherboard needs) so I couldn't test the GPU and not sure if enough power is supply to my CPU.

Turned out that my motherboard could turn on but not so sure about my CPU since my PC could only output video through the GPU.

Well, at least my motherboard is pretty safe... I contacted Cooler Master (since my PSU is still under warranty) and they asked me to run through a few test ... 

I was pretty reluctant to try but I still decided to follow their instructions to clear the CMOS - removing the battery and wait for 1-5 minutes.

Somehow, when I was opening the case again, I realised that there is one USB connection that I didn't remove. Probably missed it since it wasn't in the way; it was long enough for me to open the case easily and do all the testing.

So I removed it... and then did the CMOS clearing... I connected everything back and... surprisingly, everything started to work! 

Erm... so what is exactly the problem? 

To be honest, I don't know the whole theory behind it. I just know that the particular USB port that I didn't plug out is having power issue - when I tried to plug it in, there is a small spark!

So it was the one who is causing the electricity leak! Well, it's powered by an external power source via a MicroUSB cable, and that cable happened to be faulty! So it was causing the "short".

I'm not sure how a small "faulty" USB connection could actually affect the WHOLE computer, preventing it from even powering up! But at the same time, I'm pretty glad that the protection on my PC is good enough to prevent further damage!

Replacing a MicroUSB cable is definitely cheaper than having to replace any of the PC parts!!

Phew, what a relief!!

Shopee Returning Policy: 15 days return is not guarentee return (refund)!

 

Firstly, I want to make it clear that this unhappy experience was partially my fault. I didn't try to understand the return policies well enough hence I've to suffer the consequences.

I've previously reviewed Dragon Touch 4K action camera and I actually returned it via Shopee Mall 15 days return. I stated that the camera is not working as expected (too shaky when use on my bicycle)

However, I was blocked by the seller after all sorts of testing and time wasting (MIA) by seller. I was pretty puzzled, it was an "official store" and I didn't expect them to just block me like that. I was thinking to get another Action camera from their store ... 

Anyways, this time round, I've gotten an SSD to try speed up video rendering and gaming experience on my PC. The SSD I was using back then was also 3/4 full, so I thought an upgrade would be needed.

I ordered from Transcend Official store, also comes with 15 days return. Delivery was fast, I got it within 4 days.

I did the SSD cloning and then got it booted up. However, I didn't notice any noticeable increase in speed, instead, there are some short stutters here and there - usually when you open a program or folder.

It's a very short ~1 seconds freeze, but it's annoying especially when you're trying to do video editing!

So  I decided to return it and get another one.

From my previous experience, I decided not to state a reason (Ok, I admit, I was lazy to go through all the video taking process to show the random stutters and I've already placed my Old SSD back into the PC), so I went with "Change of Mind". 

Another reason is, I do not wish to be blocked by Transcend Official Store. 

In the end, it proved to be a big, stupid mistake! I should write my experience honestly - the short stutters that affect my usage. (And also not be lazy and wait for the error to appear)

Because, according to Shopee return policy, not every seller agree on reasons like "change of mind"!

I didn't read the policy beforehand because I thought since it's electronics and I returned it in perfect condition, it would be like Taobao 7 days "no question" return policy or Amazon's return policy, (just that I might not get a full refund). 

However, the 15 days return policy is NOT "No question" return policy but subjected to seller's approval, even if it's not sensitive or perishable items.

So after waiting about a week for the approval, I got a rejection instead!

Well, I can't complain, it's my fault that I didn't find out more about the return policy beforehand and my laziness got me ... ... it's all karma ...

So well, here is a reminder:

1) DO NOT use the option "Change of Mind" unless you've an agreement with the seller. (And pls printscreen it, just in case!)

2) Shopee Mall 15 days return policy is not "No question" return! And definitely not like Amazon's return policy whereby you get refunded for reasons like “I did not like the product”! (By the way, too many returns can get your Amazon account banned!)

3) If you think something might be a problem, capture it first because you're not likely going to be testing back and forth if it's not at your convenience.

Anyways, since returning (mailed out the SSD for return), I've already gotten a 1TB Samsung QVO 870 SSD to replace my old SSD. It's running so far so good and video editing and rendering becomes really smooth!

But then, the Transcend SSD is now left to rot in my drawer ... maybe I'll use it as a secondary drive... but if it still stutters, it might just make my system slow too ...

Damn!