Power supply problem

Steve Mackie · 08-13-2005, 10:05 AM

Hi there

About a month ago I had a problem with my power supply. For about a day there was a faint smell of burning plastic that appeared in the room, but only every now and then. For some reason I didn't think this was a problem and of the course the next day, th PC stopped working and wouldn't turn back on. It was pretty obvious that the power supply had blown, and when we took it to the PC shop they fitted a new one and gave us a surge protector as a possible prevention.

About 10 minutes ago the same thing happened while I was re installing windows. No warnings at all this time, the PC stopped working and then the unhealthy burning smell appeared, so it's probably the same problem.

Is there any reason why this should happen twice. I have had my PC for quite a long time, when it blew it had been on for about 6 hours after I failed to turn it of, but I did restart it, and I don't think that is a long enough amount of time to make a power unit blow. As far as I know all the fans are working, and I don't see any reason for it to over heat.

Is there anything that you would suggest to help this. I don't want to have to keep on pouring money into the PC to get new power units if there is a serious problem that will simply make it happen again. The local PC shop charges £30 to take a look at a PC and then £50 for an actualy new power unit, so I'm not to keen to go back there.

Also, when I have to reinstall a new power unit, is it an easy thing to do, and how much do they normally cost? I might try doing it myself this time rather than take it back to the PC shop.

Thanks a lot

Steve

ebackhus · 08-13-2005, 10:23 AM

Could be a short in the case. It could also be a bad motherboard. Might also be a pinched power line somewhere. Remove the motherboard and try testing it on a non-conductive surface. Only plug in the essentials like video and an HDD.

~~whodat~~ · 08-13-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

took it to the PC shop they fitted a new one and gave us a surge protector as a possible prevention

bring back the tower..... they recently worked on it and actually should look at it for minumum or nothing right now. unless they have a tail light guarantee policy.

good luck

Steve Mackie · 08-14-2005, 03:34 AM

I don't think it would be a bad mother board or a pinched power line, the PC has been working for ages before this problem started. Even if it was removing a mother board is completely beyond me.

I just remember that about a month before it first blew I added extra ram and a new sound card. Could this have anything to do with it? I heard Ram makes extra heat which could make it over heat, but I'm not sure.
I'l take it to the PC shop tomorrow, hopefully they'll sort it out.

~~whodat~~ · 08-14-2005, 06:16 AM

hello
some shops will replace a 250 watt unit with a 250 watt unit.
the power supply could have been borderline to begin with, and the repair person might have about a billion of these units in the basement.

anyway, good luck to you. and post back

08-13-2005, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Steve Mackie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 17 OS: XP	Power supply problem Hi there About a month ago I had a problem with my power supply. For about a day there was a faint smell of burning plastic that appeared in the room, but only every now and then. For some reason I didn't think this was a problem and of the course the next day, th PC stopped working and wouldn't turn back on. It was pretty obvious that the power supply had blown, and when we took it to the PC shop they fitted a new one and gave us a surge protector as a possible prevention. About 10 minutes ago the same thing happened while I was re installing windows. No warnings at all this time, the PC stopped working and then the unhealthy burning smell appeared, so it's probably the same problem. Is there any reason why this should happen twice. I have had my PC for quite a long time, when it blew it had been on for about 6 hours after I failed to turn it of, but I did restart it, and I don't think that is a long enough amount of time to make a power unit blow. As far as I know all the fans are working, and I don't see any reason for it to over heat. Is there anything that you would suggest to help this. I don't want to have to keep on pouring money into the PC to get new power units if there is a serious problem that will simply make it happen again. The local PC shop charges £30 to take a look at a PC and then £50 for an actualy new power unit, so I'm not to keen to go back there. Also, when I have to reinstall a new power unit, is it an easy thing to do, and how much do they normally cost? I might try doing it myself this time rather than take it back to the PC shop. Thanks a lot Steve

08-13-2005, 10:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,312 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Could be a short in the case. It could also be a bad motherboard. Might also be a pinched power line somewhere. Remove the motherboard and try testing it on a non-conductive surface. Only plug in the essentials like video and an HDD. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-14-2005, 03:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Steve Mackie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 17 OS: XP	I don't think it would be a bad mother board or a pinched power line, the PC has been working for ages before this problem started. Even if it was removing a mother board is completely beyond me. I just remember that about a month before it first blew I added extra ram and a new sound card. Could this have anything to do with it? I heard Ram makes extra heat which could make it over heat, but I'm not sure. I'l take it to the PC shop tomorrow, hopefully they'll sort it out.

08-14-2005, 06:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	hello some shops will replace a 250 watt unit with a 250 watt unit. the power supply could have been borderline to begin with, and the repair person might have about a billion of these units in the basement. anyway, good luck to you. and post back