Before leaving for vacation I unplugged the power strip that had my computer power cords plugged into it. After I cam home from vacation a week later, I plugged in the power strip. Immediatly after I heard a loud crack and sparks came out of the back of my computer tower. Now it won't turn on but my monitor is fine. Has anyone had this happen to them before? Whats wrong with it? Will I lose everything I had saved onto my computer? I really don't wanna have to buy a new computer. Thank you to those who help me.
2007-12-28 14:13:45 · 9 answers · asked by Dreamer 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
My computer is a COMPAQ that I got at Walmart as a christmas present 3 or 4 years ago.
2007-12-28 15:11:36 · update #1
You more than likely blew the power supply. As to whether or not your data is safe depends on weather your on/off button was on or off at the time the power spike hit the power supply. Your situation is like this. If it is the power supply only, it is only about $30-$60 to replace the existing one, counting it is not a COMPAQ/HP/Gateway/Dell specific power supply. They don't do this too often but I mention it just in case you have an old system where this would be relevant. If the power switch was on and the spike got past the power supply then you could be looking at a new machine and loss of data. There is no way to find out except by installing a working power supply to see if it boots. A good technician would have a spare just for this test, check around.
POWER STRIPS... AARRGGggg
These things are worthless when it comes to protecting computer systems. They are like wearing a rain suit to jump into a pool of acid... it only gives you a false sense of security and leaves you all exposed... and burnt up...
Invest on a good UPS and this will be the last time this occurs to you.
2007-12-28 14:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if thats the case the first thing i would suggest doing is removing the hard drive to prevent any damage from happening to it, even if everything else goes if u have this all your info will be fine and thats whats most important. Second is yes, its the power supply as others have said, it was overloaded it sounds like, possibly a problem in the cords, a power jolt, or just a faulty supply, i would check what type it was and the wattage on it, because if that is the problem it HAS to be replaced, you cannot fix a broken power supply unit. But dont despair, they are fairly cheap and the rest of your system should be fine, i advise removing the power supply so that it doesnt damage anything else, and whatever you do dont turn it back on, its an EXTREME fire hazard, and you dont want anything to catch on fire!!! that would suck!!!! O i nearly forgot, the reason u need the wattage on the power supply is because when you get a new one you should get one of equal or more wattage or it might not be strong enough to power your computer and everything attached to it. Any way i hope i was helpful, if u have questions please dont hesitate to msg me, im actually taking CIT (computer info technology) and i know a lot about this kind of thing. Well i hope i helped ^_^
2007-12-28 14:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by xxlostbutnevergonexx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need a new psu (power supply unit), but try to borrow a cheap one from someone who has an extra, so that if it breaks you only owe a friend a few bucks instead of having bought a new one. This is a precaution for if it was the computer that broke the psu and not the psu that broke itself. the psu will be easily removable and replaceable by yourself as long as you can use a screw driver. inside the case it is the large box in one corner that the power cable goes into from the outside. Just be careful not to touch the other stuff in there too much. Unscrew from the outside.
2007-12-28 14:19:15 · answer #3 · answered by c4kemaster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you blew the power supply, no need to buy a new computer just a new power supply that will cost you around $30-$50
2007-12-28 14:17:25 · answer #4 · answered by J D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably is the power supply - not a major problem to fix. Get rid of that power strip and get a good surge suppressor - it sounds like you had an immediate overload due to a power surge - something you should be protected against.
2007-12-28 14:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by smgray99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably just blew the power source in the computer. Chances are the hard drive is safe. Take it to a repair shop and tell them what happened, and that you would like to save the harddrive info, and to replace the power source.
2007-12-28 14:16:50 · answer #6 · answered by Phyrekiss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
odds are the flexibility supply short circuited. you will ought to purchase a clean one. this could have additionally broken different aspects of your computer. the only thank you to tell what aspects survived it via swapping them into yet another computer or via swapping good aspects in till each and every thing works. Your for sure going to ought to spend slightly money. If the computers old it rather is extra suitable to easily purchase a clean one. If its nevertheless below guarantee touch the producer.
2016-11-25 23:58:50 · answer #7 · answered by schebel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my first guess would be the power supply unit in the pc. replacing that would be quite cheap and you'd still have all your pc data intact.
2007-12-28 14:16:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have gobs of crap (dust/pet hair) in the vents.
Clean it out.
2007-12-28 14:17:40 · answer #9 · answered by tharnpfeffa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋