Fried Power Supply? Maybe?

[Corrupt Rose]

Out of curiosity, if somone left a game paused on their PC while they went to eat their dinner, only to come back and find that the machine was not only off, but completely dead (as in no power when the 'on' button is prodded), would he be right in suspecting that his power supply has keeled over?

Would he also be right in fearing that this can be pretty bad for the computer as a whole?

Lets hope the suppliers don't try and worm out of warranties...

[Ginger Tosser]

It could have. PSUs are strange things by there nature. We used to support a printer that would work for years without a problem, but if it was turned off it wouldn't power up correctly. A dead psu doesn't always mean a dead PC. Did it smell of burning?

Some PSUs trip out with heat but its been quite cool today so i doubt it would be that.

[fifty?ballz]

Could be anything.

Traditionally your ascertian would be spot on, but as modern PSU only power on
given a set of special conditions, you just can't know for sure anymore.

Best asking someone into computers to look at it.

[Corrupt Rose]

Yeah, I'll get one of my hardware-savvy friends to have a look at it. There wasn't a smell of burning with the PSU, but when I took it apart, the damned thing was only 230v... supporting the Processor (XP3000+), a CD drive, a CD/DVD RW, and a FX5900xt (which connects directly to the power).

I'm positive now I've taken it apart that that PSU can't handle that much hooked up to it, and I'm pretty pissed with the shop for fitting something not up to the job.

The worst of it is that I've got to get it from Kent to Leicester to the shop (home from Uni for the holiday) to get it fixed, which is going to be pricey whatever happens.

I'm tempted to take all the good bits out of it, and accidently drop it down the stairs, and use the insurance money to buy a stripped down, but at it's heart more powerful machine. But that's patently illegal, so don't tell anyone I said that.

[Ginger Tosser]

We wont say anything.

Its just like my portable TV falling of my desk.

[Hodge]

Pretty much sounds like the psu. I had mine go on me a couple of months back. Got up one morning and there was nothing there when i hit the power switch. It shouldn`t have damaged anything so there no need to worry. I recommend you pick up a 450 watt psu from your local pc store for ?15-?20 and fit it yourself there easy enough to do. Unplug the power cables from the motherboard and dvd drives etc and unscrew the psu. Screw in the new one and connect cables and it`s done. I`d also change the fuse in the plug aswell cause that would of gone.

[FelixofMars]

my mate had this, turned out that the PC had turned itself off for whatever reason and the residual charge was stopping the PC being switched back on, in the end we left it a few minutes and sure enough the power came on. Dunno if you have tried it but it may ust work still

[Corrupt Rose]

It lives again, and it turned out to be the PSU. Thanks for all the help... and I only sliced my hand open once installing it. I've got no idea how, incidently.

[Ginger Tosser]

Those sharp metal edges always get you.

[FelixofMars]

Did my finger on a heatsink once, some of them are like cheesewire I tell you

[mt50]

I recommend you pick up a 450 watt psu from your local pc store for ?15-?20.

never ever buy a psu for ?20, makes like Q-tec ect, are know for blowwing and setting on fire, it is allways worth spending the extra to get a good PSU like CWT(on scan for around ?35 for a 350w) or antec ect.
don't forget it's the powersupply that is the most important componant in a pc if that blws it could take all the rest with it.

so allways spend the extra on a good psu and you will have no problems

[Fragmaster]

pick up a 450 watt psu from your local pc store for ?15-?20

In all honesty I really think you should splash out a bit more for a PSU. Cheaper PSUs do not power the amount of watt's they say they do and they are in no way, cooler, quieter or more reliable. Buy an Antec, or Enermax, they may be more money but it will be worth it in the end, especially with your setup.

[EDIT] - Whoops sorry MT50... agreed

[mt50]

yep you are spot on fraggy, it is allways worth spending the extra to protect you pc more, and the noise difference is hugh between cheap psus and good psus