PSU just died...

[AuthorityAction]

I was installing Windows 2000 Server and the stupid thing just turns off ;[ So I pull the side panel off and the PSU is REALLY hot, I could barely touch it. So I put another PSU in there and it started up just fine.

My folding will be hurt for a couple days :banghead:
BUT...

A friend is suppose to let me use his spare PSU :respect:

Now would be the time to pass me :fold:

[SimGuy]

I'd try to pass you, but I blew out my Antec TruePower 550 this evening.

This week sucks!!!!

What brand of PSU was it?

[TheSmJ]

Funny. Yesterday another 5 second power failure took out my Antec SmartBlue 350 (which I used to replace the Smart 400, which died in the same manner last week).

Right now the main family comp (not the one in the sig) is balencing on a 230W until I get the first PSU back from RMA.

[SimGuy]

The TruePower died because of a leaky capacitor inside. I can see brownish grey stuff oozing out of a couple of the major capacitors visible by looking through the rear 80mm exhaust fan.

Anyone know a Canadian PC Power & Cooling distributor?

[Leonardo]

Wow, not a good day for hardware. One of my Maxtors went out today. Did you know that they make a warbling sound when dead? At least mine did.

Fortunately, this doesn't affect Folding, as the bum drive was the backup (Ghost) drive.

[Geeky1]

Regarding people's power issues:
Am I the only one around here who runs his computer on a $80 surge protector? I'm surprised that you had problems, SmJ, as the UPS should iron that stuff out (or was this not connected to the UPS)? If you have PS problems on a relatively regular basis, you should buy a top-of-the-line surge protector or (preferably) a small UPS from a halfway decent manufacturer (doesn't have to serve as a battery backup, just as a power filter).

[DogSoldier]

Surge Protectors own!

[Geeky1]

Only the good ones are worth anything tho. Those cheapo ones that are like $5 do basically nothing. Belkin's surge protectors are the best out there, IMO. Mine is rated for ~2700 joules as I recall... for computer equipment, I'd get something rated >2000 joules.

[muddocktor]

I run my farm on 2-800 Belkin and 2-500 Belkin and 1-500 Tripp Lite UPS's. I have too much money tied up in my farm to let the power company fry it. The 800's can run 2 rigs at once.

[TheSmJ]

Geeky1 had this to say
Regarding people's power issues:
Am I the only one around here who runs his computer on a $80 surge protector? I'm surprised that you had problems, SmJ, as the UPS should iron that stuff out (or was this not connected to the UPS)? If you have PS problems on a relatively regular basis, you should buy a top-of-the-line surge protector or (preferably) a small UPS from a halfway decent manufacturer (doesn't have to serve as a battery backup, just as a power filter).

The computer effected did not have a UPS. The surge supressor it does have must have died... or something... cause it diddn't do ****. I have yet to look at the thing's label.

Doesn't matter though. My dad will buy a UPS (or something) for it as soon as one goes back on sale.

[DogSoldier]

Mine's an APC Surge Arrest Professional. Sounds good but I only paid $30 CDN for it. It does the trick.

[edcentric]

UPS is the only way. I have never run a box without one, and I have never lost a part to power problems. I have a APC 1100 with two folders, monitor and printer all hung off of it.

[TheSmJ]

Anyone know if there is a UPS currently on sale?

[muddocktor]

I usually just check the local stores like office depot or wal mart. The shipping on those buggers would probably kill any price savings because they have a battery in them.;)

[SimGuy]

Geeky1 had this to say
Regarding people's power issues:
Am I the only one around here who runs his computer on a $80 surge protector? I'm surprised that you had problems, SmJ, as the UPS should iron that stuff out (or was this not connected to the UPS)? If you have PS problems on a relatively regular basis, you should buy a top-of-the-line surge protector or (preferably) a small UPS from a halfway decent manufacturer (doesn't have to serve as a battery backup, just as a power filter).

I wouldn't dare run any of my PC systems without some type of protection. To safeguard the thousands of dollars tied up in computer assets, I utilize a Belkin Isolator IPF F5C980-TEL 2900 joule surge protector on each system, which are all inteconnected with a Cutler-Hammer ATS-3BI Automatic Power Load Transfer Switch to change between the primary 3-phase (400 AMP service) 240V feed coming into the house and the secondary emergency 1-phase 240V (100 AMP service) backup feed coming from a different grid section.

If an electrical distribution failure occurs in the primary grid that services my area, the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) will instantaneously (less than 3ms) throw a relay, switching power sources automatically to the secondary feed source without disrupting the power flow to any electrical outlets serviced by the ATS-3BI. It's only when the secondary feed source is out that the PC's, lights and heat go offline.

As for the PSU problems, it was just a case of a faulty PSU. I took it back to Best Byte Computer Performance Centre in Whitby, Ontario this morning. They hooked her up to a test Athlon system and blew the motherboard in the thing because of the faulty power supply.

Way to go smart technicians :D

Either way, I get a new PSU out of it on Wednesday.

[TheSmJ]

This (http://www.control-concepts.com/products/itrol.asp) is what was protecting the two PSUs that died. My dad had originally got this from a catalog (for free) around 20 years ago, and has been protecting our "Main" home computers since our 486, 10 years ago.

The only information on this specific model ("Islatrol" is the designation of a whole line of surge protectors) is that it is 2.5 Amps, Model #I-102, and it's serial number. Being as it is not the standard power strip/surge protector you get at most electronics stores, it's spliced into the cable leading into the PSU.

Weather or not this thing is useless, I'm unsure. It's been in service for 10+ years now, nearly nonstop. Last week's incident was the first time anything like this has ever happned. Whatever the case may be, I think I'll just get a nice UPS for it, or both it, and the other computer in the same room (the other computer is on an APC brand surge protector).

Another computer, which is on the same breaker as the two mentioned above, is on some cheap ass $2 surge protector, along with a 32" TV, Stereo AMP, VCR, and DVD player. It has an Antec Smart 350, which has had no problems whatsoever.

Go figure.

[Geeky1]

it's useless. Surge protectors wear out eventually. You're lucky you got 10 years out of it w/o anything happening... the MOVs and stuff are generally gone after ~5 or less...

[TheSmJ]

Geeky1 had this to say
it's useless. Surge protectors wear out eventually. You're lucky you got 10 years out of it w/o anything happening... the MOVs and stuff are generally gone after ~5 or less...

Where have you heard surge protectors "expire" w/o breaking the circuit?

This is news to me...

[Geeky1]

The MOVs in them wear out. If you have enough little surges (which you probably do... I understand that they're fairly common), they eventually fail, but will continue to conduct.