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Question

Desktop breaking power strips

by Apr 20, 2015 2:59PM PDT

First I want to mention that I am NOT knowledgeable in computer hardware or software so if I sound stupid, please correct me...

My Windows desktop seems to be breaking my power strips. This just happened today, and I have gone through 2 power strips. When it happened the first time, I thought the problem was that the power strip was too old. I then went out and bought a new one (750 Joules, 6 outlets, with 5 outlets plugged in to my computer) and the same thing happened. My computer just suddenly shut off and the power strips became unusable.

Both of the times my computer crashed have been while I was playing video games. The first time was Team Fortress 2, the second was Dragon Age Inquisition. Other than that everything seems to function as normal. My normal usage is a couple of hours of video gaming a day, and that's pretty much all I use my desktop for.

I don't have the specs from my computer at the moment but once I get (yet another) power strip I can give them. It was custom built by a friend about 6-7 years ago so I wouldn't be surprised if some of the parts are dying.

Please advise me on possible issues/solutions... Someone has recommended that it may be my PSU giving out though I remember replacing it a few years ago.

Thanks for reading!

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Answer
Power strip/surge etc.
by Apr 21, 2015 12:28AM PDT

I'd be running a check on my line voltage...Does this only happen at a certain location? Have you tried other circuits? Typically for a surge protector(strip) the recommendation is 1,500 joules or more...but a better way to go is an APC/UPS, more money but more reliable. The first thing I would do would be to get a VOM and check voltages..and go from there.

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Reply
by sharleeism Apr 21, 2015 3:20AM PDT

I have not yet tried in different locations or different circuits.

I did some Googling about the things you mentioned. So I should use a multimeter to check my PSU? My old power strip (400 Joules I believe) lasted for quite awhile before this debacle, I'm tempted to think that it's the PSU that's the issue, not the strength of the power strip.

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Answer
My BAD CAPS story. How I learned about the plague.
by Former Forum moderator Apr 21, 2015 3:27AM PDT

A long time ago our office had a PC fail. Back to the lab and it was the PSU. No problem. Pop in a PSU and it's working.

Next week it failed again. Hmm, PSUs aren't as good as they used to be so we got a bigger one by 100 Watts.

2 weeks later it failed. OK, we fitted the largest PSU that was in the shop. 750 Watts.

1 week later Kablamm! and a nice smoke cloud came from that machine.

Opening it up we found capacitors blown off the board and more. The user revealed the machine was heating their space up a lot too.

THAT was when we started to suspect something was amiss. This mushroomed into a worldwide epidemic you can find on the web with "BAD CAPS."

I'm sure such could stress a power strip.
Bob

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