The PC is up and running now, although I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!
You have no reason to be hopeful. Fingers crossed is simply an example of wild speculation. You have no reason to believe any fault has been identified or any solution implemented.
Provided information is simply shorting your best help of facts. For example, does not matter that some chip had six or eight pins. What specifically was that chip? What did each pin connect to? What were the adjacent parts (to identify which of so many PSU functions were involved)? Which part of the chip (which pin number) appeared to have most damage? Examples of facts necessary for the fewer and better informed to provide any useful assistance.
Only the fewest and better computer techs could answer those questions. An example of how to locate a rare techs who actually knows how computer hardware works.
That BSOD with every number was critically important to, again, have replies from the better informed. Apparently some software in upper memory tried to read memory location 16. Why? Important were all facts in that BSOD including the name of what was probably a driver in upper memory. Then also known is which specific hardware was involved in that crash. Any information that means nothing to you is probably the most important fact to others who better know this stuff. Again, your help was shorted of the most relevant facts.
Also develop a pattern. For example, all facts in multiple BSODs refine (shorten) the supects list.
Define high quality protector. Many protectors are simply a £3 power strip with 10p protector parts selling for £25. Near zero protection selling for obscene profits is quality? Fact that defines quality include numbers in its specifications. Being older is only a problem for low quality protectors.
If a protector is located adjacent to a computer, then it does not even claim to protect from typically destructive transients. And sometimes can make damage easier. Don't take my word for it. Read or post the specification number that claims protection from each type of surge. Don't make conclusions (ie "protector was quite a good quality item"). Better answers occur when hard facts (ie manufacturer specifications) are posted. Conclusions come later.
Why so many failed supplies? Watts do not define quality. In fact, as watts increase, quality can even decrease.
Most all electronic failures have no visual indication. Your failures are some of the easiest to diagnose - the rare visual indication. But without posting what specifically failed, then the fewer who actually know this stuff can only remain silent. No reason was provided to believe those were 'quality protectors'. Too many foolishly associate price with quality.
Maybe a new supply has better internal protection. But remaining are anomalies that destroyed multiple supplies. You have not cured the actual problem. At best only cured symptoms. How often over the past five years have other appliances (dishwasher, clock radio, dimmer switches, portable phone, etc) failed. None should fail in ten years. More relevant facts?
