Re: Computer turns on and then just dies

s|b <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:43:13 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
> 
>> Were you inside the case touching stuff without being
>> properly grounded?
> 
> You mean like the thingy on my wrist? No.

Actually you just need to ground yourself with a wired wrist
contraption.  With the computer plugged into a 3-prong outlet, the
chassis is grounded.  Use one hand to grab the chassis (ground) while
you use the other hand to putz around inside.  If you need 2 hands
inside, just ground yourself first, and don't anything while inside,
like walk around on carpet, shuffle papers, or do anything that will
build a static charge on you.  You're trying to reduce or eliminate the
voltaic potential between you and the electronics, not necessary have
you grounded but the device floating at some higher voltage.

High voltage doesn't kill.  A difference in voltage kills.
Speed doesn't kill.  A difference in speed kills.

>> Got a multimeter or voltmeter to check the voltages on the 20/24-pin
>> connector from PSU to mobo?
> 
> That's above my skill. I know how to build a PC and what each part does
> (more or less), but that's about it.

Multimeters are cheap.  You don't need a super accurate one that has
been verified at a lab.  You're just checking if voltages from the PSU
(while under load) are okay at the 20/24-pin connector from PSU to mobo.

What brand PSU do you have?  Some are pretty bad.  Is it a prebuilt
computer?  Those get minimal PSUs often incapable of supporting the
additional load of populating the other daughtercard slots on the mobo.
Figure a 10% loss in wattage each year for the cheapies, or 5% per year
for the good ones.  They wane over time.  The cheapies also overrate
their capacity by claiming, say, 750W but not for a sustained load.