Case grounding questions...

[jmsilhy]

Hi everyone, a few weeks ago I posted about a problem with my USB ports when trying to use a remote control aircraft simulator. My system is:

Case: CoolerMaster Cavalier 3
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
CPU: Intel Quad Core 6600
RAM: Kingston 4 x 1GB, 800 Mhz DDR2 total 4GB
VCard: Nvidia 8800 GT OC from BFG, 512MB RAM
HDD: 160 GB SATA II Maxtor (System) + 500 GB SATA II Maxto (Storage)
DVD RW and DVD ROM from LG

The problem I posted was that whenever I tried to use the controller with the sim, all the controls jumped around like crazy when trying to calibrate, and even worse when trying to "fly".

I discovered yesterday that when I connect the controller and all the controls are jumping around, if I touch the metal case of my PC, controls will all go to the middle and it will respond to the movements, thus making me able to use it, but when I let go of the case, it starts jumping around again. I suspect a bad grounding of the case, but I opened the PC up, and every connection from the PSU is correctly connected to the mobo and drives, etc. so I wonder what could be the problem and how to correct it.

Please help if you can, I'll greatly appreciatte it.

 

[PC eye]

Sounds like the controller is what isn't seeing a proper ground through the usb connection suggesting the cord for the controller itself may have a loose contact. You acted like the ground source when simply touching the case.

 

[jmsilhy]

But I mean when touching the computer case, not the controller case.

 

[PC eye]

The controller is seeing some type of static buildup. Once you touch the metal portion of the case(atx) you are discharging that. In that sense you are becoming the ground source for the controller.

That sounds like a cheaply made controller since you shouldn't even be seeing that type of problem. You would probably be better simply replacing it with a different brand since it doesn't sound like it's shielded properly.