Re: New Members - Hello everyone...
Huge bummer, I typed a long introduction and submitted but it logged me out. No copy when hitting back either (darn Safari). I've since clicked the remember me button but still GRRRR! Forgot that I'm not a regular here already.
Basically, I've used this site as a reference for a number of years. First when dealing with Dell 270s & 280s and then later in dealing with problems encountered with name brand motherboards in home built system.
Yesterday, I awoke suddenly (it wasn't quite clear whether it was the smoke pouring out or the assumed ?pop? from the ?capacitor? I found rolling around once I had time to open the PSU's case) but basically it scared the .... out of me waking up that way. The PSU was an Antec Smart Power 400. I had read problem posts about it some time back, but I mistakenly thought it was that the PSU wasn't up to providing enough power for a heavily loaded system ie it failing in heavy stress / torture tests, so my (goat)
thinking was well I'm only going to be using it in a very lightly used HTPC / test bed system drawing maybe 120 watts; and used sporadically.
Usually when I don't use it for an extended period of time I unplug it, but it had been plugged in for a few weeks without being run... I'm not happy that it happened but I'm glad that #1 I was home and #2 my UPS shut it down due to an overload? I'm not sure if it had been plugged into the wall if it would have tripped a circuit breaker or just kept going?
My gut brain was telling me it could have been going bad for some time. That PC started having random BSOD. I when I had time I would try, different RAM, graphics card, HD, Optical drives, mice & keyboards, KVM... etc. Things would seem to be fine & then bang. I was
confused and after looking at the reported voltages I really thought it must be the MOBO. I even ordered a replacement but hadn't had time to put it in. (maybe that's a good thing) if it turns out ---> though I hope against hope that since the unit wasn't on, that it didn't take out the MOBO, RAM, etc... 
Anyway I wanted to see some pictures and images posted so it's time to join!
Huge bummer, I typed a long introduction and submitted but it logged me out. No copy when hitting back either (darn Safari). I've since clicked the remember me button but still GRRRR! Forgot that I'm not a regular here already.
Basically, I've used this site as a reference for a number of years. First when dealing with Dell 270s & 280s and then later in dealing with problems encountered with name brand motherboards in home built system.
Yesterday, I awoke suddenly (it wasn't quite clear whether it was the smoke pouring out or the assumed ?pop? from the ?capacitor? I found rolling around once I had time to open the PSU's case) but basically it scared the .... out of me waking up that way. The PSU was an Antec Smart Power 400. I had read problem posts about it some time back, but I mistakenly thought it was that the PSU wasn't up to providing enough power for a heavily loaded system ie it failing in heavy stress / torture tests, so my (goat)
thinking was well I'm only going to be using it in a very lightly used HTPC / test bed system drawing maybe 120 watts; and used sporadically. Usually when I don't use it for an extended period of time I unplug it, but it had been plugged in for a few weeks without being run... I'm not happy that it happened but I'm glad that #1 I was home and #2 my UPS shut it down due to an overload? I'm not sure if it had been plugged into the wall if it would have tripped a circuit breaker or just kept going?
My gut brain was telling me it could have been going bad for some time. That PC started having random BSOD. I when I had time I would try, different RAM, graphics card, HD, Optical drives, mice & keyboards, KVM... etc. Things would seem to be fine & then bang. I was
confused and after looking at the reported voltages I really thought it must be the MOBO. I even ordered a replacement but hadn't had time to put it in. (maybe that's a good thing) if it turns out ---> though I hope against hope that since the unit wasn't on, that it didn't take out the MOBO, RAM, etc... Anyway I wanted to see some pictures and images posted so it's time to join!
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