Programs freezing when I turn the microwave on!?

[Coldkilla]

Hey all. I've got some weird problem. I have an older house and the PC, AC and microwave are all on the same circuit, and I cannot have the AC and Microwave on at the same time otherwise I blow a fuse. (Its impossible to switch an appliance to another circuit).

Today I had the AC on, and turned it off so I could use the microwave.. but the second I hit the on button on the microwave, my PC froze (I was playing a game). Now this doesn't always happen, it actually hardly has ever happened.. but this got me to wonder why my pc has been freezing so much these last few months..

A few programs have been freezing unexpectedly and its getting me extremely angry.. but the PC never freezes while browsing the internet, or using specific programs/games. I wonder how the supply of electricity to the computer is hampering the ability for some programs to remain stable.

I don't really how how to ask this but: Is there a way that I can check/monitor the amount of electricity that is coming into my computer? If my computer were to freeze in the process, I could restart the PC and see a graph/indication of what it was like when it froze?

 

[Cutthroat]

Get a UPS, it'll monitor and supplement any power dips.

 

[Modelworks]

You could get a digital multimeter for about 10-20.00 and watch the voltage as a friend turns things on and off.

Regardless you need to move the pc to another outlet off of the one shared by the AC .
Its a bad idea for two reasons.
One its going to cause voltage drops every time the AC compressor comes on, forcing your pc power supply to adapt.
Second, the AC is adding noise to the power that your pc is using. Every time the compressor cycles the power is going to drop and be filled with EMI, not good for a pc or anything with a power supply.

You can get a ups to help with the power drops, but thats not really an ideal setup , even for a really good ups. Best solution is getting the pc off the AC circuit.

 

[Blain]

Get an APC line conditioner.
I would also take a good hard look at your PC PS. It may be getting some age on it, or maybe you cheap'd out during your build.

 

[Coldkilla]

Yea the PSU is fairly good. It's a 600W Corsair (Don't have more specs on it atm), it was about $170 at the time but I'd have to look the information up on it. The house here is about 60+ years old and there are no other outlets I can use for this PC

 

[0roo0roo]

a quality psu can make up for minor fluctuation/voltage drops but after a certain point you need a ups/line conditioner. it can't be good for your pc at all.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i would say bring the microwave back to stock speeds and see what happens.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
i would say bring the microwave back to stock speeds and see what happens.

I'll go one better.... put the PC IN the microwave and that way you can thaw it after it freezes.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

We loved in an old house years ago and couldn't run the window unit AC, and turn the microwave on or the whole house would lose power. The main reason we didn't buy a computer till years later. Not much help I admit, but a cute anecdote

 

[mpilchfamily]

Sounds like you need to get the house's electical system updated. You need a larger feeder coming into the house and the house needs to be broken up amoung multiple breakers. The you can seperate the kitchen from the AC and the rest of the house. Like wise keep the AC on its own breaker so it doesn't effect the rest of the house. Won't be cheap but should help to improve the sales value of the home. Will also eliminate the fire hazard you have there. with the power dipping like you say or shutting off from the load then chances are the wires in the house can't handle the current trying to be pulled threw them. This could easily start a fire in the walls since those wires heat up when your forcing that much current threw them.

The typical 120VAC house uses 15A fuses. meaning you have 1800W of power to work with. Most microwaves on high setting will pull upwards of 1000W. Your AC is pulling about the same amount if not a little less. Then your computer can be anyware from 200W to 400+W. Thats whay the power cuts out all together. Your house may even be using 10A fuses. If it is do NOT replace them with 15A. Doing so will most deffinetly cause a fire.

But have an electrician come out the to the houase and check everything out. Tell him the problems your having and see what he recomends.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain
Get an APC line conditioner.