PC hardware: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP!
my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP!
by electtech - 4/3/06 5:21 PMHi,
I'm running a custom made pc by a friend of mine runnig aAthalon and I recently added more memory, making it 700 mg. It has a 30 g HD and dvd burner, cd burner, floppy drive. I don't really know too much about computers, I'm a novice, though good at taking things apart and putting them back together. I installed the cd burner myself and everything seemed to work fine for a while.
2 days ago, I smelled a burning smell, and it turned out it came from the power supply. I opened up the system to look at the PSU and it looks like part of it is darked (charred). I'm assuming I need a new power supply. Can anyone make a suggestion as to why this happened and what kind of PSU I can get in the future to avoid this from happening again? Is it ok to buy one on ebay like this one "Blue OKIA 600w Dual Fan ATX Silent Power Supply *NEW*"? HELP!
PSU
by ahoyfromtroy - 4/3/06 5:32 PM In reply to: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP! by electtechHi
i am also somewhat of a noob aswell but as far as i know there are only two reasons for that 1. Your computer needs more power than your PSU can suppy it seems likly seeing as just added parts a couple of days ago or 2. your computer is overheating and you either need to replace the fan or maybe tghe comp isnt getting enough air circulation because none of your wires are tied back and just left hanging or you computer has been overclocked meaning that the performance is being pushed past the factory setting and creating to much heat.
hope that helps
connor
PSU
by electtech - 4/3/06 5:39 PM In reply to: PSU by ahoyfromtroyIt's possible that it's from the cd RW being installed, though adding one component seems like it wouldn't be such a big deal. The wires are tied back. What did yoiu mean about the fan? Do you mean the fan inside the PSU, wouldn't that mean I have to replace the entire PSU anyway? Thanks for your quick reply.
Possibilities...
by John.Wilkinson
- 4/3/06 6:19 PM
In reply to: PSU by electtech
It's possible that the PSU was overtaxed, possibly already near or at its max before adding the new hardware, but it shouldn't overheat to the point it catches fire. Of course I'm not familiar with PowerONE, so it may be a lousy PSU to begin with. Another possibility would be a power surge...do you have/use a surge protector? Other questions I'd have would be where did it look like it was charred, were there any storms or power issues around the time it happened, how old is the PSU, and how long had the computer been on?
Now, hopefully the PSU was the only think damaged. Hopefully. To find out, first look for visible damage to anything else, particularly the motherboard. If everything looks fine, get a new PSU and try it out. Which one you get is up to you, but make sure it's at least 450W (your old was 350W) and preferably a good name brand. I wouldn't trust one off Ebay myself, as it could simply cause more problems, so I'd turn to something like newegg.com. There you'll find a variety of PSUs available, complete with user reviews. (Click here) Also, make sure you use a surge protector for your computer and everything connected to it. Make sure that surge protector also covers your internet connection, whether it be DSL or cable, as a surge could care less how it gets in.
Hope this helps,
John
geez I would have freaked it caught fire!
by electtech - 4/3/06 6:29 PM In reply to: Possibilities... by John.Wilkinson
The PSU didn't catch fire, it just has a darked burn spot on it where one of the coils is. As far as I know, there wasn't a surge, I have the desk top and monitor on a surge protector/backup battery. I do not have the modem or router on a surge protector though, nor do I have the little set of speakers on a surge protector.
The motherboard looks fine, I don't see any visible issues. The entire system was put together only 8 months ago by a trusty friend. The computer had been on a lot, several days in a row. But as far as I know, that shouldn't affect the PSU should it?
p.s.
by electtech - 4/3/06 5:36 PM In reply to: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP! by electtechp.s. the one PSU that overheated and burned is a powerONE model GM350wp max peak power 385 to 420 w .
Is this a crappy PSU, and maybe that's why it overheated?
PSU
by ahoyfromtroy - 4/3/06 6:22 PM In reply to: p.s. by electtechhi again
No there is nothing wrong with your psu i think its a computer overheating problem if so then that is just the first part to go. if the problem isnt fixed then other parts will start to overheat. Im pretty sure that if the computer needs more power the the PSU can supply the machine just shuts down. Like i say i dont no much about computers thats just my best guess. It's best just to wait for a response from one of hte moderators. Hope that helps.
Connor
If you're looking for a modern PSU at a great price..
by VAPCMD - 4/3/06 6:17 PM In reply to: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP! by electtechthat will handle most anything you're likely to throw at it....here's a 500W PSU from Antec for about $50 after a $25 mail in rebate. Probably more wattage than you need for now but you can always shift it to a new system when you next upgrade.
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=332377&pfp=BROWSE
VAPCMD
is cb right?
by electtech - 4/3/06 7:26 PM In reply to: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP! by electtechconnor brown wrote that there may be other issues involved here. It may be that my PSU is just a cheap unit, and not well made, but what other issues could have made the PSU overheat. I play Gallactic Battlegrounds on this system too and it is an intensive game I think. But Do PSUs just go down on their own or is there something else I need to be watching out for or replacing so this doesn't happen again?
Advice to be avoided
by VAPCMD - 4/3/06 8:01 PM In reply to: is cb right? by electtechAfter CB said "No there is nothing wrong with your psu i think its a computer overheating problem if so then that is just the first part to go." ...it was time to hit NEXT.
Perhaps you should check back with the system builder and ask about getting the PS replaced under warranty.
Any PS worth it's salt has got at least a 1 year warranty and believe the Antec I suggested has a 3 year warranty...it stipulates that at NEWEGG.COM
Let us know how it works.
VAPCMD
agreed
by ramarc - 4/3/06 8:13 PM In reply to: Advice to be avoided by VAPCMDCC and cUSA both carry antec power supplies so hopefully you can find one locally and save shipping costs.
Don't ever cheap out on a power supply. I'm not saying to spend $150 on a 650W monster, but don't believe that $25 flea market special says it will deliver 500W. Cheap power supplies cause more problems than any other component in a PC.
If you've got a midrange PC, a 300-350W PS for $50 is reasonable. A 3ghz PC with a good video card needs a 400W that should cost around $65-$75 retail/delivered. If you're getting a "great deal", better than these prices, you're getting ripped off.
you've convinced me
by electtech - 4/3/06 8:29 PM In reply to: agreed by ramarcI've got to say, I'm generally a total cheap ass. I hate spending more than I need to on a computer system, but I have to admit that I hate it even more when I have to replace cheap parts. SOOOOOO I'm going to go with a $50-70 PSU instead of going with my "cheap" instincts and getting a $30 somewhere with no warranty. If I'm going to get Battlefront, will I need a more expensive 500-600w PSU? It's a pretty intensive game.
Thank you.
Stable, reliable, dependable is what in a PS..not cheap
by VAPCMD - 4/3/06 9:59 PM In reply to: you've convinced me by electtechBased on the limited info provided...(you didn't indicate exactly which CPU or video card you system had, it makes a difference) the PS suggested will handle everything in your current your current and more with ease. Now...if you were talking about a 500-600W PS for $20-30, then I'd worry. Interestingly enough... you can almost always judge power supply quality by weight.... the junk 500W PS is very light ... the better quality 500W is much heavier .. the ANTEC SP500 weighs in at 5lbs.
It's on sale this week at COMPUSA so best not to dally.
Let us know how it works.
Solution for your power supply problem....
by bfohwrd - 4/4/06 6:31 AM In reply to: my power supply overheated and burned I think, HELP! by electtechM'am,
The possible problem for your power supply overheating and burning may be that the PSU's cooling fan must have got damaged earlier due to which, the Power supply must have got overheated. Another reason could be faulty power coming through your mains or the spike-buster. Plz be sure to check your mains for proper earthing, and lastly but surely you should change your power supply unit with a new one available in the market. Also, plz be absolutely sure that you get the power supply of the same wattage as the earlier power supply so as to avoid any further complications with your system.
so, don't get one with a bigger wattage?
by electtech - 4/4/06 4:37 PM In reply to: Solution for your power supply problem.... by bfohwrdI was planning on getting that PSU one person suggested with 500w. That would be bigger than the wattage on my currently desktop (which burned). I thought it was suggested that maybe the wattage was not enough for my system, and thus if I'm going to buy a new PSU, I should get a new one that is bigger and better. Is that not the case?
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