it just went pop

[Barrabus]

I have just part assembled a PC. I got an ATX box and a giga-byte GA-7DX motherboard. I put the motherboard into the box plugged in some power and some RAM and just wanted to make sure that I was getting power to the motherboard. It seems that I was getting power as there was a small pop on the motherboard and the fuse in the power plug was blown. Does anyone have any idea why this was? There is no way of changing the voltage on the box and as far as I am aware everything was plugged in fine. I have accepted that the motherboard is probably a goner but I just wanted some advice from somewhere, anywhere, before I do anything else.

thanks

[dj4uk]

Check the mobo wasn't touching the metal case - would cause a possible short circuit.

[Barrabus]

will that make the mobo die do you think?

[dj4uk]

Tis possible but you may be lucky - only way is to test it out.
I had my phone line hit by a lightning bolt - blew the modem to bits inside the case. I feared the worse but I removed the wreckage and it was fine and its still working now 4 years later!

[Barrabus]

that's a beautiful story and an inspiration to me to go and buy a bag of fuses and chance my arm. I am just about to go out on the lash though so it might have to wait.

thanks for the feedback

[dj4uk]

Brings tears to my eyes now *sob*.
Remeber to ensure the mobo ain't touching before trying again or you'll just get the same result. No matter how spectacular it won't help your mobo.

[kensane]

I thought my problem was bad. Tiger Direct has great prices on motherboards.

[Cricket]

Hi Barrabus,

When you say "power plug", do you mean the power supply or the power cord? Where exactly was this fuse located?

If the case you bought was extremely inexpensive, then the power supply may have been made with sub standard parts to meet cost levels. I've seen really cheap ones go out fairly quickly on a regular basis, but have yet to see a good quality one die prematurely. Replace the power supply (if this is the part the fuse was located in) with a good quality one and try your board again. The fuse should have protected the board from any surge.

If the fuse was located on the motherboard, replace it and try again. If the fuse blows again, then something is definitely wrong and you'll have to have the power supply checked out as it's probably not regulating the power correctly.

Hope you can isolate the problem.

Cricket

[Hpro]

It's not your motherboard and it hasn't been shorted - a shorted down to case motherboard will not let the fuse blow in the PSU - you've got a BAD PSU that's all... exchange it and it will work ...

[dj4uk]

I stand corrected.
I certainly ain't going to disagree with HPro.

[no_nota]

Hmmmm I wonder ,did you get that board from newegg?? (read my thread) LOL

[Barrabus]

thanks for the advice. The fuse that has blown is in the plug that goes into the wall so with any luck this has protected the mobo from anything too traumatic. I am going to get the PSU tested tomorrow and start again keeping my fingers crossed that the mobo is still with us.

I just hope the company that sold me the case aren't going to be difficult, I don't want to HAVE TO break their legs.

[glc]

Next time, try it with the board out of the case! (Tips and Tricks forum, problems with a new build)

[Barrabus]

I have got a new box and this problem has been fixed. I have now graduated onto bigger problems. See my thread cpu cpr.

thanks for all the help