For my second rig I have a MSI P67A-G43 with an i3 2100. And when I booted it up it fries (literally--the HDD smokes) my HDDs. It posts and everything but I'm not sure what the problem is? Its the second drive I've put in. The PSU is a corsair 520hx that was working perfectly fine and the memory is a pair of supertalent 4GB sticks at 1.5v.
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Mobo frying my HDDs?
- Thread starter note235
- Start date
wesleys_dad
[H]ard|Gawd
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- Jun 21, 2005
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id have to say psu ,but i tell you the only power for the drives comes from psu....first try another psu and see...if problem persists then rma time...never heard of power going up the sata cable but maybe one of these smart guys on this great forum would be able to tell you more about if it could fry HD with too much voltage coming up the sata cable...ive never heard of it in sata or ide...my gut says psu....
wesleys_dad
[H]ard|Gawd
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- Jun 21, 2005
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id be very leary of that psu...could fry the board ....another psu very quickly..i wouldnt power the computer up with that one again.....
larrymoencurly
[H]ard|Gawd
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I'd measure the +5V, +12V, and +3.3V with a digital multimeter, while they're all under realistic loads, especially at the HDD power connector IOW don't just use a PSU tester but connect the PSU to an old mobo and cheap graphics card and make it run a self-booting diagnostic. That mobo should be the type with a separate connector for the +12V.
I'd also look carefully at the power connectors for the HDDs with a bright light and magnifying glass because some pins inside the plastic body could be mangled or crooked.
Can you pinpoint where the HDDs fry, including with some sharp, well-lit photos? Because some experts might then be able to tell you exactly what's frying, such as the devices that protect the HDDs from excessive voltage or a chip that moves the heads or motor.
I'd also look carefully at the power connectors for the HDDs with a bright light and magnifying glass because some pins inside the plastic body could be mangled or crooked.
Can you pinpoint where the HDDs fry, including with some sharp, well-lit photos? Because some experts might then be able to tell you exactly what's frying, such as the devices that protect the HDDs from excessive voltage or a chip that moves the heads or motor.
I've had the reverse problem-- an hdd that fried motherboards. Took out two motherboards and a tivo with a hard drive before I figured out what the problem is. Definitely don't rule out the motherboard yet. Starting with a multimeter on the PS is a great place to start. Were the drives you fired all plugged into the same exact power connecter? Check to see if the pins somehow got bridged. Also examine the sata ports on the motherboard to see if there is any discoloration or cracking (both sides of the board).