Power supply went out on box#1 about 2 months ago and it was replaced and was working fine. Yesterday it goes out again in #1 (fuse), so old PS was removed and replaced with new one once again. This time when box#1 is fired up smoke begins to roll out and *cough* *cough* it's melting internal PS parts. So third PS is now shot, but this one didn't even make it back to the user.

So before I go and install a new PS, is there anything that may be causing this problem on the mobo or elsewhere? All connections were good.

Thanks

Have you checked the power quality from the outlet? Was the same power cord in use when each PS fried?

Kind of on the side... are you using a UPS? Not only do they give you a few minutes to save your work and shut down, but they also condition the current well.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

Originally posted by pentachris:
Have you checked the power quality from the outlet? Was the same power cord in use when each PS fried?

I suppose I should have given a little bit more info eh? I'm dealing with two different locations here. Location #1 (where the user is) has a UPS and that's where PS #1 and #2 fried. Location #2 is in another bldg. and that's my office, and that's where #3 fried. Every PS I've purchased came with it's own cord and that's what I've used, so it's a different cord each time I replace a PS. This is why I figure it's the pc itself and nothing else. I should also mention that another pc of the same make has had a PS go out on it at a different office at location #1 and has since been replaced and working properly.

I was not responsible for the purchase of these machines, but they are approximately four years old and made up of all generic parts. I've told my boss that they are junk already, but he's cheap and wants me to repair.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

[This message has been edited by tcintriplecreek (edited 03-14-2002).]

tcintriplecreek,

My initial suspicion is that you might have an incorrectly wired outlet. Some devices are "case sensitive" so to speak...needing the Positive (hot) and Neutral correctly connected. A standard light, for example doesn't particularly care which side of the filament power comes in and then exits.

However, many newer and sophisticated electronic devices would not particularly like it if the wires were reversed on the outlet. You can pick up an inexpensive outlet polarity checking device at Home Depot etc. It plugs into an outlet and with a series of LEDs will display if the outlet is wired correctly.

The older PSU might not have cared what was what.

I'd try that first...

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

Fuses blowing and internal parts melting sounds very like short-circuiting somewhere!! Else the PS just can't hack it and some resistors or wires are getting way too hot.

Either way it sounds like a bad "batch" or the pc is trying to draw-off 300watts on say a 50watt PS. IMHO invest in good quality PSUs that are adequate for the demands made on them; some generic PSUs are fine but others are just not worth their "cheapness"; these are not components that should cost megabucks anyway.

I've only just seen Wyzman's post. Of course check all conections and wiring too. I've been told (don't know how reliably) that a PS burn-out can fry other components when the fizzle occurs - though I've always been lucky.

[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 03-14-2002).]

Thanks all.

I'll check the wiring at the source, but I'm a little confused if not annoyed about the whole mess. It wasn't but two weeks ago I replaced a PSU in the same make PC and tested it at my desk with the same outlet and it was fine. I can't help but blame the cheap components that make up these PC's to begin with, but you get what you pay for.

I have to order more PSU's before I can attempt again, but thanks again for helping a rookie out. I'll be sure to let you know what I come up with.

FYI.. I purchased Antec 250W PSU's.