usb cable

Can a usb cable cause a BSOD?

I've had faulty ones crash a program.

Sure! There are several data and power circuits running through the various wires in a USB cable and connector. If one or more wire, or the connector is damaged, and an exposed wire or contact comes into contact with another contact, it could cause undesirable results, including system freezes or shutdowns - and hopefully not cause any permanent damage. If it is the power circuit, it could cause the PSU to shutdown - hopefully as a protective action.

I'd say it's certainly possible.

An alternative to always keep in mind, is that once ya plug in the cable, it activates a bad driver/program already present on the PC

If a bad cable. The cable itself is just a wire. There are no circuits in USB cables or connectors. So if the cable is good, and there is no device connected on the other end of the cable, then the computer would not even notice the cable being connected. It is like plugging an extension cord into the wall. If nothing is plugged into the extension cord, there's no current flowing through the cable.

So when you ask if a USB cable can cause a BSOD, maybe you should clarify this is just a cable you are talking about, and not the cable connected to a device.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. Example: If printer is connected to PC via the usb cable and printer is on and functioning correctly. If the usb cable is faulty some how can it cause a BSOD.

It's certainly possible but it is much more likely a driver issue. One way to be sure is to replace the cable.

I have had some "not so good" USB cables give me issues.

I have found that the better ones will have a thicker cord, better shielding and the one's I prefer will have a ferrite choke attachment.

From Wikipedia:
A ferrite bead is a passive electric component used to suppress high frequency noise in electronic circuits. It is a specific type of electronic choke. Ferrite beads employ the mechanism of high dissipation of high frequency currents in a ferrite to build high frequency noise suppression devices. Ferrite beads may also be called ferrite blocks, ferrite cores, ferrite rings, ferrite EMI filters, ferrite chokes or ferrous beads.



My portable 2.5" USB 2.0 hard drive external won't work with a standard 6 ft. cable, only one with a ferrite choke and heavier cable.

If the cable has been physically damaged (and that damage may not be visible) then sure, it could short something out, or insert unwanted voltages somewhere and cause a fault, or worse, damage something else.

Thanks guys...I did replace the cable.