fried components

NewbiePCuseR · Post by **NewbiePCuseR** » Sat Apr 21, 2001 11:06 am

erm..i had a power surge which killed my motherboard, sound card, harddisk and cdrom. Anyone knows if any of these components can be salvaged? Btw, anyone know where i can download a good benchmarking program for my pc-preferably one that can benchmark all aspects of my pc like processor speed, graphics card, etc

terrancelam · Post by **terrancelam** » Sat Apr 21, 2001 2:32 pm

I was in the same situation in which my mobo, cpu,vid card and power supply got fried good (smoke was coming out of the Rage 2 chip on my vid card). What I suggest before you go out and buy new stuff is getting a new power supply and testing out you cpu (with a new mobo) along with your other components (I don't think your CD-ROM should have been fried, so try it out.) Let me knwo how things go.

terrancelam · Post by **terrancelam** » Sun Apr 22, 2001 1:32 pm

That's something I almost forgot to tell you to get! Thanks funk.
TO Newbie, did you dring you comp into the store that you bought it at? is it still under their coverage?

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Sun Apr 22, 2001 4:16 pm

buy a UPS, they are well worth the money!!!

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sun Apr 22, 2001 5:42 pm

I double it on the UPS, If you get an APC then you would have $25000 coverage in the event of a surge cookin your system. In a power failer I have time to shut down the two computers i have pluged into mine. Buy the bigest one you can get, make sure it filters the phone line also. This APC 650 will keep the 700 Cel and 17" monitor and the 866 PIII and 20" Monitor plus my speakers, printer and scanner running for about 15 minutes in a power failer, If the battery gets low it will shut down the system safely if i'm not here to do it. But in a power failer i shut down quickley then i can plug a lamp into it and i have light for a couple of hours.

[ 04-22-2001: Message edited by: Martiangod ]

FunK · Post by **FunK** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 12:47 am

And while your at it, pick up a good surge protector.

AmdAce · Post by **AmdAce** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 1:21 pm

Don't forget all you broadbanders, the nic is also a back door into your system for electricity. Just plugging the modem power in doesn't protect you. You have to protect the cable itself.

boricua021 · Post by **boricua021** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 3:16 pm

Go to www.tweakfiles.com great files there for downloading and benchmarking. Another thing is, people don't realize that the power cord on your computer has a fuse in it also believe it or not. Try that solution too, maybe its just a blown fuse.

terrancelam · Post by **terrancelam** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 8:38 pm

Doubt it. You can tell between the difference of a blown fuse and a "surged" computer (There's a distinct aroma of burning that'll bring tears to you eyes as you realize much much has just disappeared and a once awsome computer has become a paperweight).

Sid · Post by **Sid** » Wed Apr 25, 2001 1:17 am

All electrical circuits work on magic smoke. If you let the smoke out then they don't work anymore hehe. Did you smell a burning odor? If you have access to another system then plug the componets into the other system and see if posts(be near the plug so you can yank it). another thought is to just try pulling the 20 and 6 wire connctor out of the mobo and see if the power supply fan even twinges if not then try the plugging the 20 wire in and look again. Not knowing your system these are guesses. Then try the 6 wire connector and check again of course unplug the 20 wire connector first(this should tell you if the power supply is even trying to function). If you get a twing from the fan the I would yank every card and ribbon cables out of the system and see if you get a post. I can't count how many times I've seen a card cause this problem. Basically take the system down to 1 stick of ram, cpu and video and see if it will post and if the thing starts beeping like crazy all is not lost.
If your prone to electrical storms then yes a UPS is the only way to fly, it will be your only protection, otherwise a REAL GOOD surge suppressor should work for you and don't be cheap and buy a something with joules rating of 2500 or better

NewbiePCuseR · Post by **NewbiePCuseR** » Sat Apr 28, 2001 1:34 am

Well my motherboard, hard disk, cd rom and sound card were all fried, and the warranty was over. So i had to replace all these components. So now i wanna know whether my hard disk and cdrom can be salvaged, cos my fren told me that it can be saved.