Is the MUSB header a working USB 2.0 header? Does the other tiny USB 2.0 header work? (Omen 30L)

[Tonkah]

I bought the "OMEN 30L Desktop - GT13-0380t CTO". It has the "DoradoOC Rev B" motherboard (M28845-601). The CPU is constantly thermal throttling. The temperatures regularly sit at 100-102C when playing video games. It sounds like an airplane when it gets that hot. My friend bought the exact same model. He has the same problem. Reading on the internet, everyone seems to have that problem due to poor cooling design combined with the 120mm AIO which under-performs for the i9-10850k.

So, I bit the bullet and bought a new case (Fractal Meshify Mini C) and a bigger AIO cooler (Corsair iCue H100i Elite Capellix) and migrated all the parts to the new enclosure. Since I left all the lights, fans, and original Light Control Module in the Omen case, I have the new cooler's Light Control Module plugged into the "MUSB" header, assuming it was just a standard USB 2.0.

It runs like a dream, however Corsair's iCue software can't see the cooler nor the new LED fans. I've searched near and far (the internet) for more detailed motherboard information, but all I can find is a specsheet, and a "Manual" that doesn't give any more detailed information than what I have.

Back to the title of this post: Does anyone know for certain if the MUSB header is/isn't a working USB 2.0 header? If it's not, does anyone know on this green earth where I can find an adapter to that tiny/unused 7-pin USB 2.0 header on the motherboard?

PS - I've looked at these related topics:

- https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Any-USB-2-0-Headers/td-p/8044797 

- https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Desktops/Front-USB-2-0-7-pins-on-oasis-motherboard-Omen-25l/td-p/8235109 

Things I've found:

- Motherboard "Spec sheet": https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/omen-desktop-pc-30l-gt13-0000i/33492325/model/2100180165/document/ish_4853505-4853779-16  

- Motherboard "Manual": https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06592761.pdf 

[Grzwacz]

Hi,

The MUSB is a USB 2.0 header (I think it is used for the front panel card reader) but modified by HP. HP does not provide wiring details for stuff like this. Only the system board engineers and design team have access to this data. You might be able to analyze the HP MB pinout. Then use the HP 7 pin case connector instead of the 9 pin connector provided by the AIO CPU liquid cooler. I don't get that deep into the minutia. I don't have a degree in electronics.

A local PC tech having a solid electronics background might help. Or use a standard USB 2.0 splitter if you have a standard 9 pin USB 2,0 header on the MB.

A standard USB 2.0 header is a 10 pin with one missing pin.

I have no idea if such a USB 2.0 adapter is available. Standard USB 2.0 wiring is as follows:

Regards

[Tonkah · Accepted solution]

I did an experiment. I thought, "What if this MUSB  is wired specifically for expansion boards?" So, I bought this USB 2.0 splitter, which itself is an expansion board. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q8685Y Then, I plugged the splitter in to the MUSB slot and the H100i Light & Fan Control Module into the USB 2.0 splitter.

It worked!!! The H100i is now appearing in iCue, and everything works as expected, except for a two minor remaining annoyances:

• The HP BIOS vomits a warning on every boot saying that the CPU_FAN is not working correctly and then it auto-shuts-off the computer unless I hit the Enter key. The good news is that the CPU temps are ice-cold (31C idle, 56C w/ prime95), even though the BIOS is complaining.
• The case fans seem to be on max no matter what. Omen Gaming Hub's Fan Control "Quiet" setting seems to do nothing. They are the loudest thing in the case now. 😕

After all that, I might just replace the motherboard with an aftermarket one, leaving no remaining HP parts, and say, "thanks for the reasonably priced graphics card in 2021, HP!"

[DGroves]

most new mid/high end motherboards have a option in the the bios to change a fan header from 3/4 pin

connecting a 4 pin fan to a 3 pin will result in improper operation that is usually the fan running at full speed

AIO pumps should be on a 3 pin setting for most models (look at AIO cable tip to see if 3 or 4 pin)

https://digitalworld839.com/3-pin-vs-4-pin-fan-difference-between/

some HP motherboards have a ambient air temp sensor, and if this is not connected the case fans will run full speed