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Blown up computer?
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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by xconspirisist on Sun Feb 27th at 11:08am 2005

I've got a massive problem with my computer, I am posting this help request around a number of forums I regualary visit - I need an answer as soon as possible, I have A2 Level coursework to hand in within 24 hrs...

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?p=2396788#post2396788

I mean it about the paypal thing, too.

[addsig]



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Rusty Bullet on Sun Feb 27th at 11:20am 2005

You have fried your PSU for sure and maybe even your CPU and other components. You will need to replace the PSU and if your not so lucky you will probably have to replace some of the components too. Curiousity could of literally killed you (maybe not as these days good old fuses etc work damn fine)


BTW leave the switch at 230V as if you decide to "play" with it again you will blow it up again also.




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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by xconspirisist on Sun Feb 27th at 11:40am 2005

Do you need to connect the 4 pin power supply to the motherboard - i think it controls the fan; I've only got power supplys with the meaty 26 pin connector...



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by $loth on Sun Feb 27th at 12:34pm 2005

It depends, is it the one next to the atx mobo connector, because there is the extra 4 pins for the new atx and there's the 4 pin for intel motherboards. I don't think there is one for fans.
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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by xconspirisist on Sun Feb 27th at 12:44pm 2005

I think the problem is now solved, kudos to nickw101. I figured out that prehaps a power chord and the primary psu just blew fuses, or somthing. I'm now running quite precariously off a 300w minus the crap, just to get this work sorted for tomorow.

Luckily, I think I've only lost a psu and power chord, possibly a hard drive too, but that had nothing of importance on it. Quite a bit better than the entire contents of the case being shorted.

I knew my sig would come back and bite me in the arse one day - I've not backed up in months.





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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by gimpinthesink on Sun Feb 27th at 12:56pm 2005

That was smart to switch your power pack from 240v to 115v cos you put to much power through it. You only need to switch it to 115v if your going to a country that uses that voltige supply for there electrisity like America and Canada do thats why they can plug things in in the bathrooms where as England uses 240v as there power supply thats why you carnt plug things in in your bathroom.

As for the extra 4 pin power connector on your powerpack that is to power the prosessor.




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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by $loth on Sun Feb 27th at 1:13pm 2005

So let me get this straight. In places like america and Canada you need to change the PSU to 115v? But in places like Europe keep it at 240v?
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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by gimpinthesink on Sun Feb 27th at 3:15pm 2005

Yes the use lower voltige electricity in there buildings.




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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Feb 27th at 3:24pm 2005

? quoting $loth
So let me get this straight. In places like america and Canada you need to change the PSU to 115v? But in places like Europe keep it at 240v?

yup. actually i hear tell the high voltage is more cost effective.

for instance, in the US, you can purchase a window air conditioner in either 110 or 220 power flavors. if you buy the 220, you will save on electricity bills. at least thats what i have been told.

but seriously, almost every country except the US uses 220 by default :/

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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Myrk- on Sun Feb 27th at 3:48pm 2005

All I have to say is that your a f**king fool! Its pretty obvious US power settings won't work in UK! [addsig]



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Crono on Sun Feb 27th at 8:59pm 2005

Turning down the voltage shouldn't fry anything, even putting in 220V in a 115V socket shouldn't generally do what you described (not that it's recommended to do that). However, if your power supply takes "220" to be Europre and "115" to be USA/Canada, then it might switch between DC and AC power. In that case: you're f**ked, I'm sorry to say. And it would make a lot of sense that it would fry ... very badly.

Try looking on your board and all your hardware for burn marks (including the processor its self)

Then look at the power supply, inside, look for burn marks or a burn smell. Let's hope that only your power supply was affected.

[EDIT]
This post is backwards, sorry. I wasn't thinking straight apparently :S

But, it appears someone already answered his question and his computer is working, based on that other thread
[/EDIT] [addsig]



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Foxpup on Sun Feb 27th at 11:08pm 2005

The PSU voltage switch is there because some countries use 220 volts and others use 110 volts. If you're in a country that uses 110 volts and your PSU's set on 220 volts, there's not enough power and your computer won't work. If you're in a country that uses 220 volts and your PSU's set on 110 volts, there's too much power and your computer is toast. [addsig]



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Gorbachev on Mon Feb 28th at 8:17am 2005

? quote:
Do you need to connect the 4 pin power supply to the motherboard - i think it controls the fan; I've only got power supplys with the meaty 26 pin connector...


Firstly, if the PSU is of any quality it *should* in theory flip from 115V to 220V if it detects that amount of power and should not blow the PSU. The reverse will not provide enough power, or will cause odd behaviour.

If you're talking about the 4-pin power cable that's in a square alignment (not the standard 4 in a line) and your motherboard has that plug please for the love of god make sure it's plugged in. That is almost always for the voltage regulator of a lot of your components. And by not plugging it in you WILL fry stuff.
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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by fraggard on Mon Feb 28th at 2:44pm 2005

? quote:

? quote:
Do you need to connect the 4 pin power supply to the motherboard - i think it controls the fan; I've only got power supplys with the meaty 26 pin connector...


Firstly, if the PSU is of any quality it *should* in theory flip from 115V to 220V if it detects that amount of power and should not blow the PSU.


I don't think any PSUs do that. I have seen some of them come with built in surge protection, but they don't work with steady high voltages.




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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Gorbachev on Tue Mar 1st at 12:05am 2005

Perhaps find an old one and try it, or find someone with standard 220V in their house.
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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Nickelplate on Tue Mar 1st at 3:22pm 2005

just take your hard drive out for now and put it in a freinds comp as a SLAVE drive, get ur documents off and print them. after that you will have lots of time to fix it.
Paypal to: [REDACTED]
[addsig]



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 Re: Blown up computer?
Posted by Rof on Tue Mar 1st at 8:33pm 2005

BTW, the sort of 220V supply you get in the US is different from the 230V supply you get in the UK & Europe. 220V lines in the US have two "hot" wires (180 degrees out of phase). The European mains supply has one "hot" wire carrying a single phase (the live) and a neutral for the return, similar to the US 110V system.

The reason higher voltage is more efficient (at least for transmission purposes) is that lower voltage means higher current (to give the same electrical power), and resistance power losses go as the square of the current. So if you halve the voltage, the power lost due to resistance increases by 4 times.
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