It's down to the individual to pursue the Supplier and determine what is and isn't a reasonable timescale.
Actually its the supplier that determines what a reasonable timescale not the individual as thats just silly.
PSU just went pop, what do I do?
- Thread starter Doctor McNinja
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Actually its the supplier that determines what a reasonable timescale not the individual as thats just silly.
If the Purchaser is not satisfied with the remedy offered then one option would be lodge a formal complaint, not the best result. Polite discussion and mutual agreement would be better for everyone.
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Thanks for all the replies guys. This is why I use the OCuk forums.
If my sleep starved memory serves, it did sound very similar to an amp been turned on but the 'pop' sound occurred simultaneously with the shutdown, not the reboot. Just thought I should clarify that. I'll address the last bit of your comment in the following-
I do hope that the surge protection did it's job. It'd be a bit of a kick in the conkers if it didn't as I've always preached not skimping on the PSU for this very reason. Establishing the health of the PSU is my goal at the moment but this has bought into sharp contrast my lack of knowledge in certain areas. So, fellow OCuk'ites (yes, I'm coining that word), is there any risk with simply turning it back on? Should I disconnect my GPU and SSD's/HDD's first (other than the boot drive)?
After reading up a little on the subject, it does seem that some people think that not only is ASUS Anti-Surge a gimmick but a gimmick that can be overly sensitive, causing it to detect surges during normal operation. There are some threads that match my story almost exactly even down to the CPU, a mobo from the same model line and a Corsair AX series PSU. Sometimes the thread ends with Anti-Surge being disabled and everything being fixed but then, some end with the issue only being resolved after the PSU is replaced.
I hope I'm not waffling.
So, what's my course of action fellow OCuk'adians (I might go with that instead)... just switch it back on?
Your PSU may be fine.
I've had pretty much the same thing where a surge caused it to instantly shut down/reboot accompanied by the 'pop' sound which obviously wasn't the sound of anything exploding. It's the same sound you get when you switch on a decent hifi amp.
I also had the same message pop up on reboot.
Haven't had any issues since.
Seems like the auto surge protection did it's job.
You could always try switching it on again
If my sleep starved memory serves, it did sound very similar to an amp been turned on but the 'pop' sound occurred simultaneously with the shutdown, not the reboot. Just thought I should clarify that. I'll address the last bit of your comment in the following-
Useful info guys, but we haven't established that the PSU IS faulty yet
From the description, it sounds like the surge protection did what it's supposed to do and kicked in to stop any damage occurring.
I do hope that the surge protection did it's job. It'd be a bit of a kick in the conkers if it didn't as I've always preached not skimping on the PSU for this very reason. Establishing the health of the PSU is my goal at the moment but this has bought into sharp contrast my lack of knowledge in certain areas. So, fellow OCuk'ites (yes, I'm coining that word), is there any risk with simply turning it back on? Should I disconnect my GPU and SSD's/HDD's first (other than the boot drive)?
After reading up a little on the subject, it does seem that some people think that not only is ASUS Anti-Surge a gimmick but a gimmick that can be overly sensitive, causing it to detect surges during normal operation. There are some threads that match my story almost exactly even down to the CPU, a mobo from the same model line and a Corsair AX series PSU. Sometimes the thread ends with Anti-Surge being disabled and everything being fixed but then, some end with the issue only being resolved after the PSU is replaced.
I hope I'm not waffling.
So, what's my course of action fellow OCuk'adians (I might go with that instead)... just switch it back on?
Soldato
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Sorry, I wasn't really clear. The pop was also simultaneous with the shutdown in my case too.
I can't guarantee anything for you, but I can say that after initially crapping my pants when I went through exactly the same thing, just switching it on again showed that nothing had been harmed.
Oh, and they may be right about Asus surge protection being a bit oversensitive. My PC is plugged into a decent 4-way surge protected socket which didn't bat an eyelid...
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A high end PSU that was probably around 50% load, plugged into a £20+ Belkin surge protector, along with my monitor that didn't show any signs of a surge... Logically, I shouldn't be too worried but this is the first PC that I'm really proud of. I know it must sound like I'm like a first time parent, the baby coughs once and I think it's pneumonia... but there's always a possibility that is. My main concern at the moment is causing further damage by doing something stupid.
Soldato
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I understand mate, I've been there. It happened to me within a week of building it.
If you're really concerned, try the paperclip test posted above.
If you're really concerned, try the paperclip test posted above.
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(I may show my lack of knowledge here but...)
What's the purpose of the paperclip test if I can still boot the computer? I thought it simply showed whether the PSU was dead or alive... surely the automatic reboot has answered that question.
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The only setting I've changed in the BIOS is the boot order. Would clearing CMOS still help?
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If you read the Asus forums there are many people complaining about this feature causing issues even after replacing the PSU. The general advice is to simply disable it in bios.
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The problem is though, is that I've read numerous posts where people have said that after replacing their PSU, they had no problems with ASUS Anti-Surge. For some reason “By your logic, I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.” springs to mind. I am leaning towards Anti-surge being the only real issue but I'm not basing that assumption on fact so I'm still wary. Anyway, if I decide to fix it tonight, I'll end up not going to bed tonight.
I'll sort everything out tomorrow and report back.
Thanks for clearing that up. I guess it won't hurt to take the belt and braces approach, take out the battery tonight and clear the CMOS.
Soldato
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Sorry, the CMOS thing reminded me...
After it happened to me, I had an issue with the PC not shutting down properly and taking a while to restart. Clearing CMOS sorted that all out.
After it happened to me, I had an issue with the PC not shutting down properly and taking a while to restart. Clearing CMOS sorted that all out.
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Well, all appears to be well. Mind you, it's only been on for a couple of minutes but I am posting this from my PC so at least it's working. When I booted up everything was by the book. I entered the BIOS and the 3.3, 5 and 12 volt levels were all within tolerances. Even though I have a suspicion that ASUS Anti-Surge may be more trouble than it's worth/doesn't work, I'm leaving it enabled for now.
Anti-surge device is dependant on hardware on the motherboard. If that hardware has not been calibrated, then even the 'anti-surge' message may be deceptive. Essential is to first confirm those BIOS numbers with an acutal multimeter. 3.5 digit meters are are even available for a few quid in Maplin.
The thing reported as a 'surge' is completely different from something else (also called a surge) that the Belkin will magically eliminate. Too many only know using word association. Therefore fail to appreciate the word 'surge' describes many different and unrelated anomalies.
Are those BIOS numbers correct? Post those numbers. Each can be within ATX Standard limites and still be defective. Details provided with those numbers.
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The numbers from the BIOS are-
3.360
5.040
12.288
I'm not sure what you mean by "Details provided with those numbers".
The reason I mentioned having a Belkin surge protector was to make it clear that it wasn't an issue with the power outlet. I do realise that "surge" has many different meanings.
[EDIT] Do you have any recommendations for which multimeter I should get (key features, quality makes etc.)?
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For this purpose, any 3.5 digit multimeter will do. One can spend plenty for additional features (ie temperature probe). But for this, a basic 3.5 digit multimeter (voltage, current, ohms) is more than sufficient.
12 volts measuring 11.78 is in spec. And also suggests a defect. Too many other technical issues are defined by those numbers. But if the meter reports similar numbers, and if those numbers remain good when load is maximum, then PSU is not an issue.
Those numbers would not explain a 'surge' warning.
How to make a sufficient load for better measurements. Search the hard drive, while playing complex graphics (ie a movie), while reading a CD, while downloading via the internet, while powering something via a USB port, while playing sound loudly, etc. Now system voltages are ready to be measured.
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For sufficient load I would just run a benchmark such as prime95, this will easily put enough load on the system! Should you get a cheap metre do make sure to have it set to the right mode otherwise you will test your PSUs short detection!
If it boots ok etc then there is likely nothing at all to worry about. A surge protection plug is not sensitive enough to detect small spikes, and these smaller spikes can cause damage over time. However your PSU being a decent one should protect against these! For the paperclip test it is reccomended to put some sort of load on it can damage the unit otherwise. (A few fans is more than sufficient,)
If it boots ok etc then there is likely nothing at all to worry about. A surge protection plug is not sensitive enough to detect small spikes, and these smaller spikes can cause damage over time. However your PSU being a decent one should protect against these! For the paperclip test it is reccomended to put some sort of load on it can damage the unit otherwise. (A few fans is more than sufficient,)
The word 'surge' describes at least three completely different electrical anomalies each involving different circuits. Your 'plug' is completely irrelevant to what the OP has asked about.
Prime95 also does insufficient loading Prime95 is a stress test of the CPU. That tinier load is too small and not loading where it would report useful numbers. Again, a conclusion by using word association. By not learning the actual technology or what must be accomplished.
So a surge created by a USB device would be solved by a device on the AC plug? Hardly. Another example of the same word describing two completely different snd unrelated disturbances. The word 'context' applies.
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I am not sure how that is relevant to what I said ... With regards to the plug, I thought, that a surge could come through the AC side to the PSU and this is what triggered the motherboard warning. If the motherboard is overly sensitive then it could have been a transient on the 5V line when a USB device was plugged in which could create a brief "surge". Plugging / unplugging of an audio device/speakers could perhaps cause this as well?
Came accross this testing for motherboard power consumption, and clearly Prime95 does more than draw a tiny bit more power ->
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...8z68-v-pro-gigabyte-z68x-ud3h-b3,2939-16.html
Something which also stresses the GPU such as Furmark and you should be able to draw as much power as possible to then check if the 12v rail falters under load. With the CPU and GPU maxing out this is the bulk of power draw for the system and if there is a problem it is likely to show whilst running the applications. Seems to me that it the motherboard is perhaps overly sensitive and that in fact there isn't anything to be concerned about however...!