Power/power supply problem

[jerrygarcia]

Specs
K7S5A ver. 3
XP 1600+
384 mb PC133
20 g WD HDD 7200
Lite-on 16x DVD-rom
Mitsumi FDD
VisionTek GF4 Ti 4200 128mb
CaseEdge case w 320w p/s
2x80mm ballbearing fans intake and exhaust.

Here's the problem. The board has lost 3 capacitors(bulging and leaking). No power to the board, no fans.

This is the second board and possibly another power supply that I have lost. The machine was on the second floor at work. We do have a generator for a back up to the building and it does self tests.

I have not checked the voltage/amps on the surge suppressor that the machine is plugged into during normal power or change over/generator power.

I do know that a 350w p/s is recommended for the video card that I have, but it also burned up(same symptoms) the 'slot a' system that was there before. 600mhz slot a, gf2 mx400, 128mb pc133.

Where should I start beside checking my power voltage and amps, shore vs. generator? I don't have a ups on it, will that help? Anyone ever have this recurring problem? I will test all power the next day I am here and am returning the board for exchange and possibly upgrading the case/ power supply.

Any suggestions?

[fyxxer32]

bump for my buddy, wish I could help you. Sounds like you need an electrician....hey WAIT YOU ARE an electrician!!!

[jerrygarcia]

^bump^

I did return the board today and they exchanged it for a new K7S5A mobo. I brought the whole machine in so he could see the whole set up. I ended up changing it out right there on his counter. Anybody ever build a machine on the counter of a store as a customer?

[Brainchild]

Maybe it is the surge suppresor causing the problem,just guessing really

A UPS may help,at least it will have constant even power,even during switch over times.Plus they're not that high compared to a new MOBO and PSU

[rockpile]

bump for the legendary Jerry

[fyxxer32]

jerry , you know eddy has a ups in his locker, not real sure of the size or condition . I did research it for him to see what it is once though.

[PresterJohn]

a ups would be HIGHLY recommended in your case. if the power is really as bad as you describe, be prepared to hear the thing sound off each time the power fluctuates...

[jerrygarcia]

A good UPS is in the plan. Recommendations?

[fyxxer32]

What else is on the same circuit there at the station? Does the generator run all the circuits or just partial?

[jerrygarcia]

Half of the station is on back-up power, essentials. I'll have to check tomorrow to see if it is on that side. Chris and I talked about running a dedicated circuit for it. I'm definately buying a UPS.

[bill1971]

jg:

Yes, get a good UPS. Look for an "AVR," (Automatic Voltage Regulation) feature, which can be found on good Belkin, APC, and Conexant units - usually models over 500VA. I don't think all UPSs have this feature, so look for it specifically on the box.

I guess it was designed more for folks who live in areas that are prone to brown-outs and such, but should provide good line conditioning as regards any overvoltage protection as well.

I could be mistaken, but I thought that I saw a Conexant 900VA w/ AVR for about $90 at CompUSA. Seems that's what I paid after rebate some time back. I believe Conexant is a division of APC - thought I saw that referenced some time ago.

(I'm surprised that you actually got an exchange on that board - good deal).

Hope this helps.

- Bill

[fyxxer32]

If it currently is on the "backed-up side " maybe it would be better to switch it over to the "not backed-up " side?

[PresterJohn]

jerry,

if you can find a store locally you migh save a little...ups are pretty heavy and i don't recommend purchasing then via mail order unless fre shiping is available

i've owned a number of APC units...all but one, are still working strong for me still (been about 6+ years).

[jerrygarcia]

Believe it or not, it was the first board he had ever seen with blown capacitors. I've seen three of them in the past 3 months.

I will update with specs that I found out on the power in a few hours.

[nork]

I can add this. The power is so bad in my area that I cannot run a computer directly without taking a big risk. I have to have the computer connected to a ups, otherwise I will have similar probs to what happens sometimes during a thunderstorm, power going out for a part of a second, then back on, back off, back on, only this would be all the time.
I have my computer connected to a ups and every now and again I hear it go off, few times a week. This is not really a big deal, but if I had the computer connected without the ups, then sooner or later I would boot my computer and my os would be toast. These power failures are hard on hard drives and operating systems and other files. This has taught me a lesson. I dont ever plug a computer into the wall plug. I always use a ups.
Plus I get the added benefit of a bit of protection as well.

[jerrygarcia]

Here is the UPS that I decided to go with for protection.

http://app.infopia.com/Shop/Control/...d/0/tcat/11240

[MaxVal]

Jerry,
The swollen capacitor thing may not be due to power problems. I remember seeing a news piece a short time back dealing with this subject. It seems that some of the manufactures received defective capacitors from a major supplier. What actually causes the condition wasn't known, but it is thought that there may be a problem with the electrolyte used within the capacitors.
Bottom line is that we may be seeing this more often for a while!