markh88
asked on
what do i do?
I was installing a tape drive. Things weren't going well. I had shut computer off about 5-10 times, but on last time I didn't. Iunfortunately touched one of the power cabels to metal, saw spark and since then computer does nothing. Am I scr...
Sometimes you get lucky and just the power supply gets cooked. Try replacing just the power supply and cross your fingers!
The power supplys in PCs are usually short circuit tolerant. Generally it will just shut down without damaging anything.
I presume you have disconnected it from the electrical power source by now.........?
If not, maybe it will reset itself when you do.
If it's gone, they're not too expensive. ($20-$30)
Good luck
Ralph
I presume you have disconnected it from the electrical power source by now.........?
If not, maybe it will reset itself when you do.
If it's gone, they're not too expensive. ($20-$30)
Good luck
Ralph
Look to see if there is an internal fuse in the PSU that has just bit the big one before you look at new PSUs'.
ASKER
Thanks for all your help. I went to office this morning, and decided to take one more try at turning machine on. I got lucky, it worked!
Is it possible that the power supply had a certain amount of time before it resets?
Anyway it appears that the problem is solved. A lesson learned, shut off machine before making any adjustments.
markh88
Is it possible that the power supply had a certain amount of time before it resets?
Anyway it appears that the problem is solved. A lesson learned, shut off machine before making any adjustments.
markh88
Was that the first time it was switched on since the sparks?
Ralph
Ralph
ASKER
Ralph,
I turned it on multiple times that night, but it did nothing. It did work the first time I turned it on the next morning.
I turned it on multiple times that night, but it did nothing. It did work the first time I turned it on the next morning.
Hmmmmm,
You might get lucky and not have any further problems.
I suggest you backup anything important that you may want to keep though, just in case......
Did you get your tape drive working okay?
Ralph
You might get lucky and not have any further problems.
I suggest you backup anything important that you may want to keep though, just in case......
Did you get your tape drive working okay?
Ralph
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Actually, that "answer" is not very accurate.
Capacitors do store voltage, but that voltage leaks off when power is removed.
The PC's power supply has capacitors in it, but a capacitor would be discharged when shorted. (returning it to the state it was in before power is applied to it)
I don't think anyone can definitely "answer" why it went to work without examining the computer.
Ralph
Capacitors do store voltage, but that voltage leaks off when power is removed.
The PC's power supply has capacitors in it, but a capacitor would be discharged when shorted. (returning it to the state it was in before power is applied to it)
I don't think anyone can definitely "answer" why it went to work without examining the computer.
Ralph