computer wont turn on, sets off breaker, makes bzzt noise

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BigBeef

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
376
So i always put my computer in sleep mode. Well today it didnt wake up and instead it set off the breaker, the computer made a bzzt noise, and i smelled something burning in the computer. I tried resetting the breaker and other rooms on different breakers and it set them off too. I had used the computer a few hours ago. So nothing turns on and im thinking its the power supply. Thoughts?
 
Open the system and identify the source of the smell you mentioned, chances are it is the PSU, however, check the MoBo too for dead caps and burns..
 
The mobo looks ok. The caps are silver with blue paint so it would of been pretty obvious if one was blown. What i did notice is after taking out the psu and opening it up, the big cap appears to have blown! The top of it has a manufactured perferation in the shape of an S and it was blown outward. Im not too familiar with this but im pretty sure caps shouldnt have open tops. This looks like a safety feature to prevent the cap from actually blowing up inside the psu. One thing's for sure, the computer isnt turning on so im starting with a new psu. I wouldnt be too surprised since this psu is about 5 years old. Ive had psu's blow in the past after having just used it.
 
Well it definitely looked blown open. Is it supposed to be open like that? I bet kyle would know after all the psu reviews hes done. Its the one in my sig ABS tagan 700w. I found a corsair or pc p&c locally i might get.
 
BigBeef said:
Well it definitely looked blown open. Is it supposed to be open like that? I bet kyle would know after all the psu reviews hes done. Its the one in my sig ABS tagan 700w. I found a corsair or pc p&c locally i might get.
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Electrolitic(non solid) caps have vents in various shapes K/Y/X/etc if that's what you see as "opened" that it's normal, if however it's swollen or if the top it's not flat then it's dead..
What PSU model exactly!?.. Tagan has/had many 700W PSU on offer(SuperRock/StoneRock/PipeRock/2-Force/etc)..
 
Its the BZ series model bz700. The cap looked swollen. I mean what else would it be?
 
BZ is PipeRock series and they were decent PSUs, pretty old though :)
You could try to recap the PSU @ some electronics shop/service but most likely the primary cap is not the only thing that failed.. You need a new PSU ;)
 
Yeah it was definitely a decent psu. This puppy trucked over the years, old indeed though. I think they were underrated but it was great modular technology for the price.
 
PipeRock series was made by Topower(like most Tagan units) and they used Teapos for the primary side, which aren't top caps but aren't bad either.. anyway, primary caps aren't really stressed and when they do fail(rarely) they do so because of overheating which makes this even stranger as you said the system was in sleep mode for hours.. anyway, a decent 450-500W unit is all you need for that system..
 
:)
The GTX 285 has the power needs of a GTX 460, it will only pass 200W in Furmark and normal system use will keep it well below 200W.. the Q6600 will only touch 100W in Prime, you won't take it above 80W while gaming or doing most anything else.. you can put 5W for each HDD if they're not 10K RPM high end/server units, and <10W for each burner, pop another ~30W for the mobo and the total barely gets close to 400W with everything running @ full which is something that you won't actually face unless you're benching ;)
 
Well I'm back up and running. BAD PSU....I went with the 760w PC P&C. Overkill I know but at least I have a solid PSU for future upgrades. I lost my Windows installation and it couldn't be repaired, did a clean install. I think it was completely wiped. Also 1 of 5 drives aren't showing up. Kind of odd, but maybe a plug is loose.

The good news is the drives with music, movies, and porn are safe! See below for pics...
Upon Opening
2rdep8h.jpg
4l36km.jpg

After opening it more...doesn't look good
2lu2gpz.jpg
70j72u.jpg

104qlp2.jpg

1znbyqd.jpg

Jewel logos always a plus
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352535e.jpg
 
I had capacitors pop on a computer of mine one night while I had just laid down to go to bed. Next thing I hear POP POP POP..like gun shots..I was like wtf? Get up and the power cord was hot as hell.
 
Since PSUs dont have filters(from what I've seen) how often would one recommend cleaning them? Just spray some duster in or take off the cover and get it good?
Thanks, don't want to end up like that. I'm guessing it's been 5 years since it was cleaned?
 
I was never under the impression that PSU fans really moved that much air to get that much dust inside. I've got 2 computers who's powersupplies look brand new still, despite the rest of the computer being caked with dust.
 
BioInclined said:
Since PSUs dont have filters(from what I've seen) how often would one recommend cleaning them? Just spray some duster in or take off the cover and get it good?
Thanks, don't want to end up like that. I'm guessing it's been 5 years since it was cleaned?
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I would either use a vacuum or small compressor.
 
Hi...
When you bought this system unit.....? Do you have the warranty copy right...? Then deal with the company and get your newer one....! It is waste of time and money...if the main parts have gone....
 
Good question, I don't know what the warranty is but I'd have to find the receipt first as proof. I believe the PC P&C I just bought is 7 years.

The problem with cleaning a psu is you have to take it out to open it. If its modular it may not be a huge hassle but this one isn't and there's no way I'm unhooking 5 drives 2 burners and the gpu to do that. I just vacuum my computer periodically.
 
Warranty is usually invalidated the second you open it up for a look.

Dust wise i blow through mine with air and have the vacuum running at the other end to catch all the crap that comes out. I usually do my antec units every couple of months, my corsair has a filter on the case and thus doesn't need doing that often
 
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