Really bad PSU fail?

ripped · 2 May 2009 at 21:19

How bad does this sound:

Tonight I was on MSN on my PC, and it crashed all of a sudden, but there was a strange electrical noise coming from the PSU as it turned off. I tried to start the pc but I think the PSU is completely “pwned” (badly broken). I Got my spare Pc from downstairs and I plugged it in to my cables from my broken pc(keyboard and mouse cables ,Ethernet, kettle style lead i.e.) and the spare computer didn’t work, so I changed the kettle lead and now it worked. So basically my question is:

How badly has the PSU blown to take the lead out with it?
I haven’t checked if the motherboard from the broken Pc still works, so what components I can expect to be broken with a blow this bad.

TIA;
Ripped

VoG · 2 May 2009 at 21:24

you could well get away with zero damage other than a stuffed psu, i had a 620W Corsair fail on me this week ( luck of the draw ) & it went with a helluva loud pop! & a burnt smell, but no damage done at all to me pc i'm pleased to say.

ripped · 2 May 2009 at 21:33

I will probably have to add it a standard PSU that came with my mesh PC, if ay more info I is needed just ask: D

Edit: Is there any risk in using a PSU from another PC to check the Motherboard (the one in the broken PC) is working ,or might it Brake the PSU that I am testing the motherboard with if it (the motherboard) is broken

RizlaKing · 2 May 2009 at 22:22

With decent branded psu's these days you rarely lose anything as they have a lot of protection to prevent it but on generic cheap ones that the likes of mesh sometimes put in i would say there is a chance you might have lost other components as well. A friend of mine that bought a pc from mesh which at the time (3 years ago) cost him 2k took his mobo and ram when the psu blew. Hope you havn't lost anything else and in future it is definately worth paying the extra for a good brand and the piece of mind it brings.

ripped · 2 May 2009 at 22:25

Yes i agree to the above when i save for a new PSU ill get a corsair

ripped · 2 May 2009 at 23:05

I have just quickly tried another PSU in the broken PC and it /still doesn’t work, this doesn’t mean it’s defiantly the motherboard that is broken as well, it was quick a quick attempt. I was scared in case I broke the working PSU with the “broken” Motherboard. I shall try again tomorrow when I’m sure it won’t break the working PSU, and I have more time.

So the list;

Defiantly;
PSU
Possibly;
Motherboard
And CPU knowing my Luck

Sasahara · 3 May 2009 at 14:30

ripped said:
How bad does this sound:

How badly has the PSU blown to take the lead out with it?

Put a new fuse in the plug?

EsaT · 3 May 2009 at 20:59

ripped said:
I was scared in case I broke the working PSU with the “broken” Motherboard.

No such chance...

An output short circuit is defined as any output impedance of less than 0.1 ohms. The power supply shall shut down and latch off for shorting the +3.3 VDC, +5 VDC, or +12 VDC rails to return or any other rail...
The power supply shall be capable of withstanding a continuous short-circuit to the output without damage or overstress to the unit (for example, to components, PCB traces, connectors) under the input conditions specified in Section 3.1.
http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf

AtaRo · 3 May 2009 at 21:14

ripped said:
So the list;

Defiantly;

And CPU knowing my Luck

If you mean the processor.It seldom gets damage cause it is protected by the VRM in the mobo unless you can see some burn parts near the proc then it will prolly gets damage.

ripped · 5 May 2009 at 16:46

Yes it works!!!!!
I randomly went to check what I could salvage from my broken pc so I turned it on and, magically it worked, I was so pleased. I am typing from it now

Thanks for all you help,
Ripped

darwinws · 5 May 2009 at 16:49

Are you using the same cable? As someone suggested, it could have just been a blown fuse in the cable or a dodgy cable.

RizlaKing · 5 May 2009 at 18:01

Whatever the reason i am glad your sorted m8

.