I've made a huge mistake...PSU related maybe?

shlemielo

Member
Feb 10, 2008
124
0
0
I was noticing higher temps than usual while converting some video, so I took off the side panel to see if I was having trouble with airflow. Lo and behold, the rear case fan was not spinning, even though I had it the 3-pin connector plugged into the motherboard. There is a 4-pin molex attached to it, so my not too bright self decided to plug it in to the PSU without shutting everything down. I've done this before without trouble, but I should've known better. I guess my impatience got the best of me. There was a click, then system immediately shuts off. Now, the system cannot turn back on. When I flip the PSU switch, the MB LEDs turn on, but when I hit the power button, only the front LED fan turns on for just a split second. I'm *hoping* this is PSU related, because it is the cheapest part to replace and I have another one already coming (needed it for another build anyway).

Is my PSU fried because I plugged in that fan? Or could it be something else?
 

airdata

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2010
4,987
0
0
Is my PSU fried because I plugged in that fan? Or could it be something else?

That would be my best guess. Do you have another psu you can plug in to make sure your other components are still functioning?
 

Slugbait

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,633
3
81
Probably not fried.

First, unplug the PSU cable from the wall and let it sit for about five minutes.

If that doesn't work, crack the shell and check the fuse...it may be blown.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,189
401
126
Could be a fried motherboard or RAM. Try pulling the cmos battery to reset the bios. Re-seat the RAM sticks too.

...with the PSU unplugged of course ;)
 

shlemielo

Member
Feb 10, 2008
124
0
0
I followed your advice, unseated and replugged almost everything. PC is back up!

However, 2 of my hard drives are dead :(. Both are Samsung 1TB drives which I have heard were extra sensitive to power surges. They're under warranty still, but is this RMA-able?
 

CFP

Senior member
Apr 26, 2006
544
6
81
Yeah, molex connectors are NOT hot-pluggable.

I hot plug all the time when bleeding my loop as I have 2 pumps. Though the rest of the system isn't powered when I do that.

EDIT: Come to think about it, I've hot plugged my pump loops before while the system is running to test temps.

Corsair HX-1000.
 
Last edited: