Blown up computer?

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.

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.

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...

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.

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. :biggrin:

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.

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?

Yes the use lower voltige electricity in there buildings.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting $loth</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>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?
</DIV></DIV>

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 :/

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

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]

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.

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.

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.

Perhaps find an old one and try it, or find someone with standard 220V in their house.

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]

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.