I made a computer explode in computer class today!

[JoeFahey]

My computer teacher purchased 10 new computers. (In parts) He trusted myself and my friend to be the ones to put together the first one since we are the most experienced. We got it assembled fairly quickly, and it booted. He came over, and said great. All we needed to put in was a floppy, so we did. After we plugged in the power cord for the floppy and turned her on, the PSU made a very loud, or actually a few very loud, popping noises. It also left a terrible smell. Sparks from the popping didn't go out of the PSU, but they were loud.
Fortunately my instructor was there during the whole process, and saw it working beforehand so he knew we didn't do something wrong.

I am assuming that this is the PSU's fault. My teacher bought extremely cheap PSU's, that came with cheap cases from Tigerdirect. I know that the most important thing is to get a good PSU, but they were 400 Watts. I can tell you that the parts for it did not exceed the 400 watt limit.
I always thought that a cheap PSU would at least work though, and just crap out soon after. But not explode.

Is the quality of the PSU to blame in your opinion based on the knowledge obtained from this thread? Do you need to know more?
Thanks!

 

[ayabe]

I've had the very same thing happen to me before with bobo components. I can't comment intelligently whether the floppy or the PSU is to blame.

 

[JoeFahey]

Well that makes me feel better ayabe.

Also, do you think that other components were damaged in the process of this? Or are the PSU and possibly the floppy the only victims?

 

[Boyo]

It sounds like a cheap PSU doing what a cheap PSU would do. Not work right.

 

[ayabe]

Anything is possible I suppose but in my case I had to replace the floppy and PSU.

 

[Ayah]

I would blame the PSU. hell most 400W cheap PSUs can barely run fans even.
I wouldn't trust it with a full computer system.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
Well that makes me feel better ayabe.

Also, do you think that other components were damaged in the process of this? Or are the PSU and possibly the floppy the only victims?

There is a good chance it took other parts with it. When crap starts popping and throwing sparks in a PSU theres a big chance it sent alot of high power surges through the molex,ATX,ect power cables frying other components. Doesn't always happen but there is a good chance it took others with it. It being a cheap PSU to begin with there is probably no protection between it and the mobo. I know Enermax and other good brands are suppose to have protection in them from surges like this encase something blows in the PSU it helps prevent other hardware in the system from frying.

Heck I plugged a cheap PSU in once that was a 400watt and just plugging it in the wall something popped real loud. As soon as I heard that noise I pulled the plug.

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: Sniper82

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
Well that makes me feel better ayabe.

Also, do you think that other components were damaged in the process of this? Or are the PSU and possibly the floppy the only victims?

There is a good chance it took other parts with it. When crap starts popping and throwing sparks in a PSU theres a big chance it sent alot of high power surges through the molex,ATX,ect power cables frying other components. Doesn't always happen but there is a good chance it took others with it. It being a cheap PSU to begin with there is probably no protection between it and the mobo. I know Enermax and other good brands are suppose to have protection in them from surges like this encase something blows in the PSU it helps prevent other hardware in the system from frying.


Heck I plugged a cheap PSU in once that was a 400watt and just plugging it in the wall something popped real loud. As soon as I heard that noise I pulled the plug.

Good point. You're going to have to check to see if there is collateral damage from that PSU.

 

[w00t]

hopefully the hardware is okay

 

[JoeFahey]

My teacher is already mad with Tiger Direct anyways. It's a long story which they kind of screwed us, but we ended up getting the stuff about 2 months late without going into details. They also sent us cases that we didn't choose. They ran out, so my teacher just said to give give him some cases that would work.

Can he call up tiger and complain, and get a refund, or better stuff?

 

[Ayah]

I don't know. I've never dealt with Tiger Direct. I wouldn't have my hopes up though.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
My teacher is already mad with Tiger Direct anyways. It's a long story which they kind of screwed us, but we ended up getting the stuff about 2 months late without going into details. They also sent us cases that we didn't choose. They ran out, so my teacher just said to give give him some cases that would work.

Can he call up tiger and complain, and get a refund, or better stuff?

unless the PSU is made from TigerDirect it's not really there fault you need to consult the PSU company.