Help i think i've just killed my machine!

liamcrane

liamcrane

liamcrane

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Hi guys im really worried i have just killed my machine. I was just trying to test the voltages in my machine. I set my multi meter to direct current then turned the knob to 20 and when i put the black end into the black wire on my molex and the red end into the yellow wire my machine just powered off and now wont turn on at all!! what have i done?

hope you can help
 
I have tried powering it on but nothing happens i dont know what i actually did wrong? The motherboard green light is on tho
 
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If you had the meter set to measure dc current (Amps) then it would present an almost short circuit across your PSU :(. The good news (if there is any with a dead PC in front of you) is that it's likely that it's only the PSU that's popped.
 
I think i put my red rod into the 10amp max port on my mulitmeter instead of the 600v max fused red port :(. Its an antec trueblue still under warranty should i RMA it?
 
Even if you had done that, if you had set the switch to measure 20v, there shouldn't have been any circuit anyway. Did you check the fuse in the mains plug?
The power supply should have had short circuit protection anyway, it might not be completely buggered.
 
Depends on the meter really and how the probes are meant to be connected for current measurement. Between the COM and 10Amp terminals is probably a very low value resistor that the meter measures voltage drop across...
But you're right about gong back to basics and checking fuses etc., but if there's some power to the mobo then it's not looking too good. If it's short-circuit protection that's operated rather than something blowing then it would be worth unplugging from the wall for a bit to see if it resets.
If the OP does send it back for repair it would probably cost a bit (Antec repairs are done in the Netherlands IIRC).
 
everything in the socket seems to be working fine, my monitor has a power light on and everything in the extension thats connected to the socket seems to be fine as well. I have sent off for an RMA from the antec site as the product is still under warranty. Am i right in saying it would have to go through antec and not the place where i bought it in october last year? Would it have harmed the board in any way do you think?
 
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When measuring volts the resistance in the meter has to be high, when measuring current it needs to be low - this was as good as a short circuit across the terminals.
I guess the psu has popped the fuse (you can test this with your meter -it should be fine but it may have popped that fuse too).
Start there and report back

EDIT: I was too slow!

Depending if the 12v rail has blown you could wire a different one in thats not used - if your supply has a free one
 
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i have taken it out of my case now plugged it into the wall and tested the voltage but the reading is just 0 on the 12v and 5v molex wires
 
It's not quite that simple I'm afraid. The case power button is wired via the mobo to momentarily short two pins on the 24pin connector to switch the PSU on.
To test it, either connect it back up to the mobo and use the power switch, or alternatively look up something like 'paperclip atx psu' to find which pins to short.
 
liamcrane said:
This sounds kinda bizzare but i connected it up this morning and it seemed to work just fine? have not changed anything
Click to expand...

I gave you a 50/50 chance of getting away with it and it looks like you got the lucky half ;)
I always do a double take when using a meter, checking in my mind it is set correctly - it has saved many hours work and money.

Good luck
 
Thanks so much guys for all your help im very grateful!! I didnt even turn it off at the mains just disconnected the whole PSU and left it out over night. Everything seems normal board seems to be working ok and temps seem fine so im a lucky boy i believe :). I really would like to test the voltages of my machine again but think i need to check up on a guide 1st. Is it best to test the machine under prime and is it better to go throught the 20 pin rather than a molex?

thanks a mill again
 
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