So are you hinting that it might be a problem with USB cable? I don't have a multimeter, but I'll get one. If there is a short, will changing the cable fix the problem? Newbie here.
Yes, he is saying that there could be a short in the cable, but it could also be on the HEX 16b board. Just wondering, does the problem also occur when your HEX 16b isn't plugged in to it's power supply?
I personally find it a little odd that a USB cable would be defective in such a way that it would cross 5v and ground. The PWR and GND wires are on opposite ends, but I suppose anything is possible.
Actually, I was hinting that the problem might be at the usb connector to the Hex16b. The 5v usb power is close to the ground on another smd component. One stray tin whisker and you've got continuity between 5v and ground. Believe me, that's nothing on Technobit and everything about modern materials.
When you check the cable, what you're looking for is continuity or resistance between the 5v and ground return terminals, tested at the same cable end (The one you plug into the USB port of your PC, it's the easiest to check). If you have continuity, you have a dead short. If you have less than .1 ohms resistance, you have a dead short. Check with the cable unplugged from, then plugged into, the miner.
The second thing to check for is a short to voltage. With the miner's power plugged in, you should check the voltage at the usb cable. 12v means an obvious failure on the board, and one that most miners without an electrical engineering background might not be able to repair.
