hard disk apparently stops powersupply working

  • Thread starter Thread starter -keevill-
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-keevill-

My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
 
-keevill- said:
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...
Not sure, but if it's any help, the exact same thing happened to my
computer. Mine was a Seagate hard disk.
 
Most likely the dead hard-drive is shorting out one of the supply rails on
the Power Supply, and the Short Circuit protection in the Power Supply is
preventing it from powering up....... Otherwise it would burn up too........
Expected behaviour............

John S.
 
-keevill- said:
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...
short in the HDD, quite common. bin it and get another, or return under
warranty.
 
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...

A short on the hard drive would cause the PSU to shut down, they have
overcurrent limiting built in.

JT
 
-keevill- said:
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning
smell from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the
powersupply had died. I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and
still the machine did not start, not even the fan in the powersupply
was turning. I swapped my hard disk for another and then the
powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be causing this? I can
understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how could this be
preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...

a duff hard drive can stop the psu turning on, not sure exactly why, but
it's prob a safety thing
(for the pc's safety, not yours btw) :)
 
-keevill- said:
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...

A short in the +5v control circuitry in the HD will trigger the Isc
circuit in the PSU, shutting down the PSU.

Happens quite often.
 
Howdy!

-keevill- said:
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...

The overcurrent protection on the power supply, which is there to a)
avoid actually setting fire to the computer, and b) protect everything else.

Too much current, and presto! Power supply shuts down.

RwP
 
My computer failed to start and when I checked, there was a burning smell
from the powersupply so I naturally concluded that the powersupply had died.
I exchanged the powersupply (an ATX type) and still the machine did not
start, not even the fan in the powersupply was turning. I swapped my hard
disk for another and then the powersupply fan starts to turn. What could be
causing this? I can understand that the hard disk could be damaged, but how
could this be preventing the powersupply fan to turn?
Click to expand...


Have you or anyone else done any work on the HD Power Plug. The one
with the red,yellow,and black wire. its a 4 pin and plugs in the end
of the HD right side facing the back. Make sure it has the wiring
sequence the same as all others.
 
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