Grr, might have a dead pc

[ponder]

could be a faulty power supply, 12V to CPU. just another PSU before spend money on a motherboard.

Did test with another psu, still no go.

Anyway went in for assesment which went to insurance company with quotation included for replacement, will wait to hear from them. The though of building new is doing my head in as the rand is so weak you don't get much for your money these days.

 

[westom]

Did test with another psu, still no go.

If damage was due to lightning, then a current had one incoming connectiong. And another outgoing connection to earth. The electric current can pass through many parts. But in most cased, only one part in that path fails.

If it is a power system failure, then any one of many parts (PSU is only one) might be damaged. To say which one requires a meter, a minute of labor, and some requested instructions. Resulting numbers means others who better know this stuff can then identify the one bad part. Otherwise, just keep replacing / swapping parts until something works. And hope all thaot swapping does not create more damage or more changes.

If you did not have well proven protection where utility wires enter the building or if it was plugged into a power board protector, then you all but invited lightning to go hunting for earth destrutively via that computer. Also consider fixing the reason for future damage.

 

[sajunky]

If damage was due to lightning, then a current had one incoming connectiong. And another outgoing connection to earth. The electric current can pass through many parts. But in most cased, only one part in that path fails.

Not always to the ground, PC has more than one wire.
And it is even more dangerous when two interconnected devices are (temporary) on different voltage potential, then ground loop comes in effect and current oscilating between such devices creates excessive voltage destroying sensitive transceivers. In such case power supply protection is completely bypassed, it is why I posted the question about power supply.

 

[westom]

Not always to the ground, PC has more than one wire.

That other type of electric current typically causes no damage. Electronics routinely have robust protection from that type of transient. For example, ethernet ports are typically protected for up to 2000 volts from that type of current. Power supplies also routinely make that current irrelevant.

The other and typically destructive surge is a current source. That means voltage will increase as necessary to blow through anything that might try to stop it (ie PSU). That current hunts for earth destructively.

A solution that makes that second type of transient irrelevant also diminishes the first type transient.

Of course this is all speculation. Nothing useful can be said until numbers from a meter actually define what is damaged and why. Information that also averts future failures.

 

[sajunky]

Nothing you wrote above makes sense. Giving up. Just say, I disagree - completely.

 

[ponder]

"We will do an investigation and talk to the department of science and technology on what is the cause of the lightning," - Nomsa Dube, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs

 

[bekdik]

Try resetting your cmos- unplug mains cable, remove cmos battery on the motherboard, shprt the red & black connectors on a drive power cable for a minute.

 

[westom]

Nothing you wrote above makes sense.

So you never learned about longitudinal, differential, common, normal, or transverse currents? Of course it makes no sense. Most recommend replacing parts on wild speculation (ie a PSU) due insufficient electrical knowledge. So insufficient as to not even know of many different types of surges. Those concepts so basic as to be taught to first semester engineers.

Sensitive transceivers? Ethernet transceivers routinely withstand up to 2000 volt transients without damage. Hopefully I need not post spec numbers from datasheets to expose that myth. Various 'sensitive transceiver' datasheets list 2000 or 15,000 volts without damage.

Less time and money identifies the OP's one defective part immediately. Using numbers from a meter. Then the OP can decide whether to spend money on that one part. Only the fewer who need those numbers also know why a longitudinal mode current explains most damage. And why 'sensitive transceivers' exist when basic electrical concepts (ie many types of surges) are unknown.

Most any defective computer part can create the OP's symptoms. Either that defective part is identified quickly by providing numbers from a meter. Or spend money replacing good parts until something works. Those are the OP's two options. If shotgunning, then throw dice to decide what to replace next. Since a PSU was swapped using same reasoning.

Request instructions to use a meter. Then the fewer who actually know how computers work provide a complete and useful answer. Or the OP should immediately start shotgunning - replacing parts until something works. Without more information, then nobody can make a better recommendation.

Is his PSU defective? Nobody can say since that swap reported nothing informative. Two options for a solution are provided.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Too embarrassed to post ....

I have had same a few times and I am too dumb to invest in surge protection.

 

[wizardofid]

So you never learned about longitudinal, differential, common, normal, or transverse currents? Of course it makes no sense. Most recommend replacing parts on wild speculation (ie a PSU) due insufficient electrical knowledge. So insufficient as to not even know of many different types of surges. Those concepts so basic as to be taught to first semester engineers.

Sensitive transceivers? Ethernet transceivers routinely withstand up to 2000 volt transients without damage. Hopefully I need not post spec numbers from datasheets to expose that myth. Various 'sensitive transceiver' datasheets list 2000 or 15,000 volts without damage.

Less time and money identifies the OP's one defective part immediately. Using numbers from a meter. Then the OP can decide whether to spend money on that one part. Only the fewer who need those numbers also know why a longitudinal mode current explains most damage. And why 'sensitive transceivers' exist when basic electrical concepts (ie many types of surges) are unknown.

Most any defective computer part can create the OP's symptoms. Either that defective part is identified quickly by providing numbers from a meter. Or spend money replacing good parts until something works. Those are the OP's two options. If shotgunning, then throw dice to decide what to replace next. Since a PSU was swapped using same reasoning.

Request instructions to use a meter. Then the fewer who actually know how computers work provide a complete and useful answer. Or the OP should immediately start shotgunning - replacing parts until something works. Without more information, then nobody can make a better recommendation.

Is his PSU defective? Nobody can say since that swap reported nothing informative. Two options for a solution are provided.

Yay getting all technical,with much ado about nothing, what exactly is your point ? Perhaps you missed the point that the system is old as in 10 years old, not worth the effort to try and replace parts that is not even being manufactured any more.Great sharing the technical aspect even thought completely irrelevant to the OP...The ideology you have does not compute with the reality of the matter.Claim insurance or dump, that is really the only two options the OP has in mind.

 

[ponder]

Claim insurance or dump, that is really the only two options the OP has in mind.

Some seem more concerned about my pc (which I really do appreciate) than I am

It's been assessed, I have a claim numer & waiting to hear from insurance.

 

[westom]

Some seem more concerned about my pc (which I really do appreciate) than I am

Use a meter and one minute of labor to obtain some numbers. Then the entire problem is defined. Then you know how much it would cost to fix it. And learn what might be done to avert future problems. All from one minute of labor. Why is that hard?

 

[ponder]

Just and update, insurance paid out. Will be starting a new build thread soon. Poor '05 celeron laptop has been working it's ass off during this time