Computer turned off when putting side wall on

[archcommus]

I have an aluminum case. I've never had any issues with removing and replacing the side wall with the system on. However last week, it was on and as I was putting the side wall back on, the system instantly BSOD'd. It rebooted fine and I forgot about it.

Just now, as I was putting the side wall back on with the system on, as soon as the metal of the wall touched the chassis the system quietly turned off. It came right back on fine.

Is this somehow due to static electricity? I don't get what happened. Again, never happened to me for the 2 1/2 years I've had this case until the BSOD last week and then turning off today.

UPDATE 2/19: Well I just plugged my headphones into my z-5500's control pod, heard a small thump and the computer turned off!! It came back on fine.

What could be causing this?

 

[Markbnj]

Could be, I suppose. Maybe you're laying the side panel down on the carpet, it's getting shoved around a little and picking up a charge, the charge gets transferred to the case and arcs over to the motherboard somewhere. Or it might be that you're causing a short to the motherboard somehow.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
Could be, I suppose. Maybe you're laying the side panel down on the carpet, it's getting shoved around a little and picking up a charge, the charge gets transferred to the case and arcs over to the motherboard somewhere. Or it might be that you're causing a short to the motherboard somehow.

Hmm, you could be right, this year is the first time I've had my system in a completely carpeted room, and I do set the wall on the ground when I take it off (standing up leaning against something, however, not flat on the floor). That could've been it both times.

But, with it either BSODing or just turning off, if it comes back on fine, no kind of damage done? Not even long term?

 

[Jiggz]

You might want to clean the inside of the unit and then make sure the stand offs are properly installed. The instant shutting down sounds like a short to ground which can be caused by improperly grounding of the PSU or the unit. Experiment with the side wall removed and then ran a wire from the case to the floor or to the ground hole from the wall socket. If the system shuts down it indicates improper grounding and at the same time a grounded mobo.

 

[GlobalHPSJoe]

Yeah, look at the standoffs. It does sound like its grounding out. Some servers we had to use a Mylar shield because of the small clearance between the board and case.

Originally posted by: Jiggz
You might want to clean the inside of the unit and then make sure the stand offs are properly installed. The instant shutting down sounds like a short to ground which can be caused by improperly grounding of the PSU or the unit. Experiment with the side wall removed and then ran a wire from the case to the floor or to the ground hole from the wall socket. If the system shuts down it indicates improper grounding and at the same time a grounded mobo.

 

[archcommus]

Thanks. Could having had a piece of electrical tape holding a wire down against the back wall have anything to do with it? I have since removed said tape.

 

[lenjack]

It wouldn't be the tape unless the the insulation on the wire is bad.

 

[archcommus]

Well I just plugged my headphones into my z-5500's control pod, heard a small thump and the computer turned off!! It came back on fine.

What could be causing this?

 

[corkyg]

A static discharge when replacing the side panel is not really unusual. I have had it happen several times over the years when I forget to power down (laziness) before replacing the side door.

It is not a serious stoppage - wait a few minutes,put the door on and restart the system.

 

[Aikouka]

I've had static discharges go off when doing something like that and it never caused a problem with the computer. Is it possible that you knocked something when you were putting the side panel back on? God knows that most cases make putting them on a pain in the butt (except my purdy Lian-Li's 😀).