Smoked another PSU....Grrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!! - Tech Support Forums

Dooin' it · December 15th, 2003, 12:49 PM

OK, this is the 2nd one I've done this to, so I need a better method for...........

Plugging-in a PSU!

I did it to an e-machines too at work.......(thank goodness I'm a good storyteller so our network guy just ordered another proprietary e-machines psu). This morning it was my daughter's computer. It happened the same way both times. Plug the power-cord in & the psu fries.

This morning's event took a little longer, 'cuz I was in the room a few seconds after I plugged it in & didn't see/smell anything. Then my wife called me several minutes later while I was on the road & said the room smelled like smoke. I knew EXACTLY what it was. Had her try to unplug/replug & this time "FLASH"...........ahhhh.......chestnuts roasting on an open PSU flash! Oh well......anybody got a suggestion for keeping this from happening?? I move computers around too much to leave 'em plugged in all the time. TIA

Omardeth · December 15th, 2003, 12:53 PM

ummm don't get emachines ???

Dooin' it · December 15th, 2003, 01:06 PM

This one ain't an e-machine ya' metal-head. It's a generic, never-been-touched by Fortune 500 hands, homebuilt!!! har har har!!!

What the heck are ya' doin' up at this hour anyway??? <g>

F/A-18 MechDood · December 15th, 2003, 01:09 PM

Doesn't make any sense. I do it the same way and never have smoke checked a PSU. Maybe make sure the switch on the PSU is in the off position first?

Omardeth · December 15th, 2003, 01:12 PM

still messed up from the trip back east . so you don't wanna be infront of me in the truck tonight about 10 or 11pm ...

you have been warned .

as for you ps . i bet it was packed with dust you never cleaned it out .

thekingofpain · December 15th, 2003, 01:23 PM

Maybe an UPS attached to each machine would smooth things out?

twiztidninja · December 15th, 2003, 01:25 PM

since were on the subject off cleaning computers you know those pressurized air cans can you use those on the mother board

stroyal · December 15th, 2003, 01:31 PM

you can use the cans or any dry air source.

Dooin' it · December 15th, 2003, 01:32 PM

Pressurized air can.......yes. (Though a nice 125psi 20-gallon air compressor works a bit better.......he he he!

For those who have never had this happen to them.......I do know of one "sure fire" (no pun intended...har har) way to keep it from happening.

Method: Immediately after plugging in the PSU, hit the powerswitch so that the psu cycles the power properly through the mobo, etc. When doing this, it seems to inhibit "smoking psu" syndrome!!!

As for flipping the switch on the back, I don't think that has any bearing on whether the psu smokes due to plug-in, rather it controls "output" power to mobo, periphs, etc......(imho)

stroyal · December 15th, 2003, 01:36 PM

I use a 125#air compressor with a breathing air filter.