USB C hub killed my PC?

Brand new Precision 7740.

Bought this hub:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PV66G2S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plugged it into the PC, then plugged an external HDD into it. Fine.

Plugged a second HDD into it, and the second I did the whole PC just died instantly. Screen went off, but power lights (one on button and one on front edge of PC) stayed on. Nothing I could do would switch it back on again. Pulled the power cable out, pressed the power button again and it came back to life at the Dell BIOS logo. Started back up normally.

Is it possible for a faulty (cheap) USB C hub to do that to the PC??

Thanks

 

The USB-C ports are also Thunderbolt ports, and they have a direct connection to the CPU via the PCH. A poor electrical set-up could short something, and send the system into an emergency shut-down. Twelve pounds for a USB-C hub is certainly awfully cheap, and you might consider disassembling it to inspect its PCB quality.

As a side note, do pop by the 7540/7740 Owners' Thread so that everyone can join in on the discussion.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's interesting. Hopefully I haven't done any permanent damage. The port still seems to work....