USB 3.0 ports on top front FRACTAL DEFINE R5 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE not working

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DEK

Active member
As the title says, my Desktop PC ordered in Jan 2017 (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...7-Lady-needs-advice-on-hardware-choices/page4) seems to be working brilliantly apart from the two USB 3.0 ports on the top front of the FRACTAL DEFINE R5 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE.
The two USB 2.0 ports work perfectly, but if I plug in a USB 3.0 device cable into either of the 3.0 ports not only does nothing happen, but it's almost impossible to remove it from the grip of the port's jaws :no: .
Is this a known problem or are they usually just not connected up?

I was surprised at the lack of USB ports generally on my build, but I can just about live with it :) and I'm slowly getting to grips with Windows 10 :pinch:

I'm also beginning to wish that I'd gone with the 1TB SSD for my Games drive . Live n learn ;)
 
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Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
The two USB 2.0 ports work perfectly, but if I plug in a USB 3.0 device cable into either of the 3.0 ports not only does nothing happen, but it's almost impossible to remove it from the grip of the port's jaws :no: .
Is this a known problem or are they usually just not connected up?
Click to expand...
Check that the cable from the USB 3.0 ports at the front is connected to the motherboard. The motherboard manual will show you where the USB 3.0 headers are.

If that's plugged in correctly (you may always want to unplug and the replug that cable yourself anyway) check under the front bezel (not just the front door, the whole front plastic part with the small vents on the side) of the case to make sure that the USB ports are properly connected there.

There's a video of a guy taking the front bezel off an R4 here and I assume it's much the same for an R5: https://youtu.be/vwgVA6_xIis?t=730

The bezel will come away from the steel main part of the case at the bottom, but will still be held quite close at the top due to all the other cables being plugged in (power cable, USB 2 port cables). You may find a second pair of hands helpful to hold the bezel while you check the connections there.

When my R4 arrived, the connector under the front bezel had come loose and my USB 3.0 ports weren't working. I assume that happened during transit, since afaik they would already be connected up when leaving the factory. Popping the bezel off and plugging them back in fixed the issue.

I'm also beginning to wish that I'd gone with the 1TB SSD for my Games drive . Live n learn
Click to expand...
I did tell you ;)
 
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DEK

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Oussebon said:
I did tell you ;)
Click to expand...

I know, I know....dammit :( . I'm just going to have to be a little more selective which games stay installed, aren't I. Games are such huge beasts now...not even mentioning the Fallout 4 HD DLC :eek: .

BTW I still haven't yet sneaked into DX:MK as I've been having too much fun in my 2nd run of Dishonored 2. Please tell me that there are some good bits to look forward as well as the reported not-so-good??? Did you get the System Rift DLC? I hope SE come back to the franchise and return it to what it should be.

Thanks for the USB info....I'll have a careful look and a fumble around. What about the fact that the 3.0 ports don't want to let go? Will it damage them by trying to remove devices with necessary force?
 
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DEK

Active member
@ Oussebon

I looked at the mobo manual, followed the cables around and saw that what appeared to be the USB 3.0 connector was not attached to the mobo at all, but hanging to one side of the bundled cables.
I carefully looked at the diagrams and then the labelling on the mobo too, before attaching the hanging USB 3.0 connector (it was cut really quite short so could have come off with any flexing during transit when it was delivered). Turned on the PC.... et voila! my front 3.0 USB ports now work :sweatdrop:
Now to teach them how to let go of my flash drive or ext HDD when I've finished with them :sorcerer:
 
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Oussebon

Oussebon

Multiverse Poster
Glad that's sorted :)

As to why it's so hard to remove the devices, I'm not sure. I'd describe the USB 3.0 ports on the front of my Fractal R4 as firm, but nothing more than that.

If it's an issue it may be worth raising with PCS directly. Also be careful with what you plug in there as if it's a flash drive with your only copy of X data on it and the end gets damaged when removing it, you might not be very happy!

You could also use short extension cables, something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Cables/DeLOCK-82776-Delock-USB-Type-15-Black/B0053JBKFW/ (first one I found, there's probably cheaper). Though having those sticking out of the case would make it look like it's got feelers...
 
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DEK

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Short extension cables are a good idea since the ports are so grabby, and giving the appearance of feelers might actually be quite cute.....in a way.....maybe.... :)
 
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DEK

Active member
I think it's the ports as I've tried 2 different USB 3.0 sticks and my Toshiba external HDD (3.0) and they all require to be wrestled out after use.
I've now bought and received a couple of short extension cables and my problems are over :D
 
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