3 blown Power supply's in 6 months.

Hi all,
I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a "whitebox" of
unknown make.
Low spec AGP video card
2 x Optical drives
1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent power supply.


I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge protector the whole
time (which seems to fine.)
This has all happened in the same house; however there hasn't been any
other power problems.

I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems happend when the
unit is being switched o every time.
Anyone else seen something like this?
TIA

Rob

Is the line power, from the electric company stable and
clean (no spikes, surges) ? Do you have any other
electrical problems? Is the computer on a circuit that is
isolated from heavy draw items such as motors (air
conditioners, washing machines) or do you see any
fluctuation in the lights?

Have you tried a "name brand" PSU from a company such as PC
Power & Cooling or Antec?


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


"RobW" wrote in message
...
| Hi all,
| I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
| It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a
"whitebox" of
| unknown make.
| Low spec AGP video card
| 2 x Optical drives
| 1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
| The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent
power supply.
|
|
| I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge
protector the whole
| time (which seems to fine.)
| This has all happened in the same house; however there
hasn't been any
| other power problems.
|
| I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems
happend when the
| unit is being switched o every time.
| Anyone else seen something like this?
| TIA
|
| Rob
|

Is the line power, from the electric company stable and
clean (no spikes, surges) ? Do you have any other
electrical problems? Is the computer on a circuit that is
isolated from heavy draw items such as motors (air
conditioners, washing machines) or do you see any
fluctuation in the lights?

Have you tried a "name brand" PSU from a company such as PC
Power & Cooling or Antec?


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


"RobW" wrote in message
...
| Hi all,
| I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
| It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a
"whitebox" of
| unknown make.
| Low spec AGP video card
| 2 x Optical drives
| 1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
| The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent
power supply.
|
|
| I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge
protector the whole
| time (which seems to fine.)
| This has all happened in the same house; however there
hasn't been any
| other power problems.
|
| I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems
happend when the
| unit is being switched o every time.
| Anyone else seen something like this?
| TIA
|
| Rob
|

On Mon, 9 May 2005 04:39:39 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

Is the line power, from the electric company stable and
clean (no spikes, surges) ? Do you have any other
electrical problems? Is the computer on a circuit that is
isolated from heavy draw items such as motors (air
conditioners, washing machines) or do you see any
fluctuation in the lights?

Have you tried a "name brand" PSU from a company such as PC
Power & Cooling or Antec?

Hi Jim,

Generally speaking the power from the electrical company is good.
No other electrical probs.
No heavy draw or fluctuation of lights either.
I haven't tried a name brand PSU as I have been too frightened it will
get fried like the others. Also, up to this point the supplier has
been replacing the PSU's under warranty.
They will no longer do this, :-) lol.
I'm really wondering if it is a problem with the case.
Especially since the damage seems to be happening when switching on
the machine.

Cheers.
Rob

On Mon, 9 May 2005 04:39:39 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

Is the line power, from the electric company stable and
clean (no spikes, surges) ? Do you have any other
electrical problems? Is the computer on a circuit that is
isolated from heavy draw items such as motors (air
conditioners, washing machines) or do you see any
fluctuation in the lights?

Have you tried a "name brand" PSU from a company such as PC
Power & Cooling or Antec?

Hi Jim,

Generally speaking the power from the electrical company is good.
No other electrical probs.
No heavy draw or fluctuation of lights either.
I haven't tried a name brand PSU as I have been too frightened it will
get fried like the others. Also, up to this point the supplier has
been replacing the PSU's under warranty.
They will no longer do this, :-) lol.
I'm really wondering if it is a problem with the case.
Especially since the damage seems to be happening when switching on
the machine.

Cheers.
Rob

Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

"RobW" wrote:

Hi all,
I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a "whitebox" of
unknown make.
Low spec AGP video card
2 x Optical drives
1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent power supply.


I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge protector the whole
time (which seems to fine.)
This has all happened in the same house; however there hasn't been any
other power problems.

I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems happend when the
unit is being switched o every time.
Anyone else seen something like this?
TIA

Rob

Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

"RobW" wrote:

Hi all,
I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a "whitebox" of
unknown make.
Low spec AGP video card
2 x Optical drives
1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent power supply.


I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge protector the whole
time (which seems to fine.)
This has all happened in the same house; however there hasn't been any
other power problems.

I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems happend when the
unit is being switched o every time.
Anyone else seen something like this?
TIA

Rob

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

im from UK and every power cable has to have a fuse in UK so suppose it
depends where your from. if you use fuses it could well be a problem.

"Leythos" wrote:

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

im from UK and every power cable has to have a fuse in UK so suppose it
depends where your from. if you use fuses it could well be a problem.

"Leythos" wrote:

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

In article ,
says...
im from UK and every power cable has to have a fuse in UK so suppose it
depends where your from. if you use fuses it could well be a problem.

I agree then, not knowing where the OP was from, it's a good assumption
to guess at the fused power cord if his country requires such.



"Leythos" wrote:

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me



--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

In article ,
says...
im from UK and every power cable has to have a fuse in UK so suppose it
depends where your from. if you use fuses it could well be a problem.

I agree then, not knowing where the OP was from, it's a good assumption
to guess at the fused power cord if his country requires such.



"Leythos" wrote:

In article ,
says...
Try another powercable it might have a faulty fuse.

Power cables don't have fuses, at least not the ones I've seen connected
to computers in the US.

If you are killing PSU's and you are SURE THE INCOMMING POWER IS
GOOD/Clean, then you've got a device inside the computer that's
overloading the PSU.

You need to determine what part of the PSU is dead - is it a fuse on one
of the DC lines or one the AC of the PSU or something else.

Your spec's don't seem to need more than 350W would provide, but you
could have a shorted/intermittent connection where the screws mounting
the motherboard connect to the chassis - many times the installer will
not use the proper screw size (screw heads) and will short a trace
without knowing it's been done.

Disconnect everything, reseat the computers motherboard on the chassis,
make sure that every mounting post is accounted for and that none are
shorting out traces on the board, same for the screws.

I've also seen power leads (for drives) without a cap over them short
out on the metal parts of a case and blow a PSU.

--
--

remove 999 in order to email me



--
--

remove 999 in order to email me

The "common" middle of the road surge protector can only handle ONE/TWO
surges. After this, the surge protection does not exist!

Your power in your room/office is definiately BAD! You are going to have
problems like this forever. The only true ways to fix this a

1) Call an electrician and have them put in an "isolated" power circuit for
your PC. (Expensive!!!)

2) Buy an line conditioning power regulator, or a UPS. These type of units
will "filter" the power so that the out-bound power is with-in the "safe"
range of the power supplies.

And, always use a 'name-brand' power supply. Antec and Enermax always use
"good" components in their PSUs and the PSUs are mostly correctly rated for
their WATTAGE. Generic PSUs are not worth the monet when the power is
"dirty".

"RobW" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a "whitebox" of
unknown make.
Low spec AGP video card
2 x Optical drives
1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent power supply.


I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge protector the whole
time (which seems to fine.)
This has all happened in the same house; however there hasn't been any
other power problems.

I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems happend when the
unit is being switched o every time.
Anyone else seen something like this?
TIA

Rob

The "common" middle of the road surge protector can only handle ONE/TWO
surges. After this, the surge protection does not exist!

Your power in your room/office is definiately BAD! You are going to have
problems like this forever. The only true ways to fix this a

1) Call an electrician and have them put in an "isolated" power circuit for
your PC. (Expensive!!!)

2) Buy an line conditioning power regulator, or a UPS. These type of units
will "filter" the power so that the out-bound power is with-in the "safe"
range of the power supplies.

And, always use a 'name-brand' power supply. Antec and Enermax always use
"good" components in their PSUs and the PSUs are mostly correctly rated for
their WATTAGE. Generic PSUs are not worth the monet when the power is
"dirty".

"RobW" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I have a P.C. that keeps blowing power supply's.
It is P4 2.4, Gigabyte GA-8IG100MK Main Board in a "whitebox" of
unknown make.
Low spec AGP video card
2 x Optical drives
1 x 80gig Seagate Barracuda
The last power supply it blew was a Unicase 400W Silent power supply.


I has been plugged into a middle of the road surge protector the whole
time (which seems to fine.)
This has all happened in the same house; however there hasn't been any
other power problems.

I'm thinking maybe it's the case because the problems happend when the
unit is being switched o every time.
Anyone else seen something like this?
TIA

Rob