Why Power Supply Died?

Tech support is sending me a new power supply for my 700XL that won't power
up. I had a problem about a year ago and the Country Store had put in two
new hard drives and a new power supply.

I'm wondering what makes a power supply fail. The computer lives in a
compartment in a computer desk. The front of the compartment is open, as is
a 6x12 inch area on the side and a 3 inch round hole in the top of the desk.
Could it have overheated?

Thanks, Allen

Allen;
Hopefully the back is also wide open.
Overheating can easily happen when a computer is enclosed.
Some furniture makers know how to make nice furniture but know nothing
of the needs of the computer for cooling.

--
Jupiter Jones
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"A. & C. Bredt" wrote in message
...
Tech support is sending me a new power supply for my 700XL that
won't power
up. I had a problem about a year ago and the Country Store had put
in two
new hard drives and a new power supply.

I'm wondering what makes a power supply fail. The computer lives in
a
compartment in a computer desk. The front of the compartment is
open, as is
a 6x12 inch area on the side and a 3 inch round hole in the top of
the desk.
Could it have overheated?

Thanks, Allen

A power supply can fail for a number of reasons.

Improper ventilation can cause overheating of the power supply and other parts
inside a computer. Heat is one of the worst enemies of electronics.

A poorly manufactured power supply can fail when one of its internal components
bites the dust.

An external power spike or surge can cause power supply failure. The typical
surge protector/extension cord provides inadequate protection to a computer from
external power fluctuations. An uninterruptable power supply with battery and
voltage regulation circuits provides 1000x more protection.

If the power supply innards become clogged with dust and dirt or the power
supply fan stops spinning (usually due to the same dust and dirt), the power
supply will inevitably overheat and fail. A regular cleaning of a computer
using compressed air (especially if the environment is dusty, smoky, dirty, or
full of animal hair) can add years of life to an entire computer... Ben Myers

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 04:08:12 GMT, "A. & C. Bredt" wrote:

Tech support is sending me a new power supply for my 700XL that won't power
up. I had a problem about a year ago and the Country Store had put in two
new hard drives and a new power supply.

I'm wondering what makes a power supply fail. The computer lives in a
compartment in a computer desk. The front of the compartment is open, as is
a 6x12 inch area on the side and a 3 inch round hole in the top of the desk.
Could it have overheated?

Thanks, Allen

I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open it each
time to do it?

Thanks, Allen

ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers) wrote in message
...
A power supply can fail for a number of reasons.

Improper ventilation can cause overheating of the power supply and other
parts
inside a computer. Heat is one of the worst enemies of electronics.

A poorly manufactured power supply can fail when one of its internal
components
bites the dust.

An external power spike or surge can cause power supply failure. The
typical
surge protector/extension cord provides inadequate protection to a
computer from
external power fluctuations. An uninterruptable power supply with battery
and
voltage regulation circuits provides 1000x more protection.

If the power supply innards become clogged with dust and dirt or the power
supply fan stops spinning (usually due to the same dust and dirt), the
power
supply will inevitably overheat and fail. A regular cleaning of a
computer
using compressed air (especially if the environment is dusty, smoky,
dirty, or
full of animal hair) can add years of life to an entire computer... Ben
Myers

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 04:08:12 GMT, "A. & C. Bredt"
wrote:

Tech support is sending me a new power supply for my 700XL that won't
power
up. I had a problem about a year ago and the Country Store had put in two
new hard drives and a new power supply.

I'm wondering what makes a power supply fail. The computer lives in a
compartment in a computer desk. The front of the compartment is open, as
is
a 6x12 inch area on the side and a 3 inch round hole in the top of the
desk.
Could it have overheated?

Thanks, Allen

How dusty is the computer? The answer is relative. Start by estimating that
the amount of dust inside has accumulated since you last opened up the computer
or since you got the computer. If you are uncomfortable with the amount of dust
you see, clean it more often. Depending on the environment where the computer
is running, every 90 days may be necessary. Or maybe once every year.

Yes, open up the chassis. Otherwise, compressed air will only swirl the dust
bunnies around inside and they may well land in a worse place than from where
they were dislodged. Make it easy on your lungs. Open the chassis, take it
outside, and blast out the dust there. Not in a driving rain or blizzard, tho.
... Ben Myers

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 23:48:26 GMT, "A. & C. Bredt" wrote:

I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open it each
time to do it?

Thanks, Allen

ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers) wrote in message
...
A power supply can fail for a number of reasons.

Improper ventilation can cause overheating of the power supply and other
parts
inside a computer. Heat is one of the worst enemies of electronics.

A poorly manufactured power supply can fail when one of its internal
components
bites the dust.

An external power spike or surge can cause power supply failure. The
typical
surge protector/extension cord provides inadequate protection to a
computer from
external power fluctuations. An uninterruptable power supply with battery
and
voltage regulation circuits provides 1000x more protection.

If the power supply innards become clogged with dust and dirt or the power
supply fan stops spinning (usually due to the same dust and dirt), the
power
supply will inevitably overheat and fail. A regular cleaning of a
computer
using compressed air (especially if the environment is dusty, smoky,
dirty, or
full of animal hair) can add years of life to an entire computer... Ben
Myers

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 04:08:12 GMT, "A. & C. Bredt"
wrote:

Tech support is sending me a new power supply for my 700XL that won't
power
up. I had a problem about a year ago and the Country Store had put in two
new hard drives and a new power supply.

I'm wondering what makes a power supply fail. The computer lives in a
compartment in a computer desk. The front of the compartment is open, as
is
a 6x12 inch area on the side and a 3 inch round hole in the top of the
desk.
Could it have overheated?

Thanks, Allen

Compressed air can even change critical dip switch
settings. Never use compressed air on electronics. In on
case, a user vacuumed the computer and therefore removed a
jumper setting. Computer would not operate.

At most, gently vacuum or blow dust off of ventilation
holes. Nothing more. If a dust problem is that large, then
either an industrial grade computer for a harsh environment is
required, or some silly person installed too many fans. Five
fans inside a case does create dust problems especially since
most every computer works just fine with only one 80mm fan.

Why did power supply die? Air that is exhausted from
computer must not be air that reenters computer. Ventilation
is why holes must be properly cut in a cabinet that holds a
computer - so that heat does not recycle. Computers must work
just fine when room air is 100 degree F. A computer in a 70
degree room just will never have failures due to dust - if
computer is properly designed and ventilated.

Do not use compressed air on electronics. First it is not
necessary. Second it can cause other failures. Too many have
this 'clean' fetish. They always want to cure something only
because it looks dirty. Short of large globs of dust on
ventilation holes or large dust balls inside the case -
removing dust is unnecessary.

I only remove dust because I don't like getting my hands
dirty if I happen to be inside the machine. Once even found
a death mouse. But computer worked just fine.

"A. & C. Bredt" wrote:
I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open
it each time to do it?

Hmm. Never ever had a problem with a computer getting into difficulty as a
result of my blasting it out with compressed air. Must be either dumb luck or
highly refined technique. Several dealers and resellers in my neighborhood with
whom I have a loose arrangement to exchange parts and repair/maintenance have
never had a problem either.

Admittedly a computer CAN survive with a lot of dust, dirt, dead mice, and
animal hair inside it. But the chances of survival are generally better if the
interior is somewhat clean, allowing clear and unimpeded air flow.

I've also serviced a proprietary computer (a custom printer RIP) never ever
cleaned by the so-called maintenance person. Opened up the chassis and found a
ball about the side of a baseball consisting of cat hair, paper chaff, dust,
dirt, and heaven knows what else. And that computer had a failed power supply.
Luckily for my client, a common personal computer power supply fit right in, so
there was no need for a service call from the other guy using parts paid via
extortion.

Factory environments are especially hard on personal computers, and some regular
cleaning out of the dirt prolongs the life of the machine.

That's my opinion, and you are just as free to have yours... Ben Myers

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 17:03:21 -0400, w_tom wrote:

Compressed air can even change critical dip switch
settings. Never use compressed air on electronics. In on
case, a user vacuumed the computer and therefore removed a
jumper setting. Computer would not operate.

At most, gently vacuum or blow dust off of ventilation
holes. Nothing more. If a dust problem is that large, then
either an industrial grade computer for a harsh environment is
required, or some silly person installed too many fans. Five
fans inside a case does create dust problems especially since
most every computer works just fine with only one 80mm fan.

Why did power supply die? Air that is exhausted from
computer must not be air that reenters computer. Ventilation
is why holes must be properly cut in a cabinet that holds a
computer - so that heat does not recycle. Computers must work
just fine when room air is 100 degree F. A computer in a 70
degree room just will never have failures due to dust - if
computer is properly designed and ventilated.

Do not use compressed air on electronics. First it is not
necessary. Second it can cause other failures. Too many have
this 'clean' fetish. They always want to cure something only
because it looks dirty. Short of large globs of dust on
ventilation holes or large dust balls inside the case -
removing dust is unnecessary.

I only remove dust because I don't like getting my hands
dirty if I happen to be inside the machine. Once even found
a death mouse. But computer worked just fine.

"A. & C. Bredt" wrote:
I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open
it each time to do it?

I've used compressed air - from my compressor in the garage, not compressed air in a can - for more
than six years and on many computers, never had a problem/ although I don't hold the nozzle too
close to the case, unless I am cleaning out heat sinks and fans.
Make an opening in the back of the computer desk where the fan on the power supply exhausts, if you
have an additional fan in the back, make sure you have an opening for that one also. I clean mine
out everytime I change a component or add something, which on this machine is quite often. Just
added a NEC 2500A burner(nice unit) and because I have four case fans(thermo controlled)....but my
overclocked AthlonXP 2500 mobile likes to be cool.


ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers) wrote in message
...
Hmm. Never ever had a problem with a computer getting into difficulty as a
result of my blasting it out with compressed air. Must be either dumb luck or
highly refined technique. Several dealers and resellers in my neighborhood with
whom I have a loose arrangement to exchange parts and repair/maintenance have
never had a problem either.

Admittedly a computer CAN survive with a lot of dust, dirt, dead mice, and
animal hair inside it. But the chances of survival are generally better if the
interior is somewhat clean, allowing clear and unimpeded air flow.

I've also serviced a proprietary computer (a custom printer RIP) never ever
cleaned by the so-called maintenance person. Opened up the chassis and found a
ball about the side of a baseball consisting of cat hair, paper chaff, dust,
dirt, and heaven knows what else. And that computer had a failed power supply.
Luckily for my client, a common personal computer power supply fit right in, so
there was no need for a service call from the other guy using parts paid via
extortion.

Factory environments are especially hard on personal computers, and some regular
cleaning out of the dirt prolongs the life of the machine.

That's my opinion, and you are just as free to have yours... Ben Myers

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 17:03:21 -0400, w_tom wrote:

Compressed air can even change critical dip switch
settings. Never use compressed air on electronics. In on
case, a user vacuumed the computer and therefore removed a
jumper setting. Computer would not operate.

At most, gently vacuum or blow dust off of ventilation
holes. Nothing more. If a dust problem is that large, then
either an industrial grade computer for a harsh environment is
required, or some silly person installed too many fans. Five
fans inside a case does create dust problems especially since
most every computer works just fine with only one 80mm fan.

Why did power supply die? Air that is exhausted from
computer must not be air that reenters computer. Ventilation
is why holes must be properly cut in a cabinet that holds a
computer - so that heat does not recycle. Computers must work
just fine when room air is 100 degree F. A computer in a 70
degree room just will never have failures due to dust - if
computer is properly designed and ventilated.

Do not use compressed air on electronics. First it is not
necessary. Second it can cause other failures. Too many have
this 'clean' fetish. They always want to cure something only
because it looks dirty. Short of large globs of dust on
ventilation holes or large dust balls inside the case -
removing dust is unnecessary.

I only remove dust because I don't like getting my hands
dirty if I happen to be inside the machine. Once even found
a death mouse. But computer worked just fine.

"A. & C. Bredt" wrote:
I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open
it each time to do it?

what did you do with the mouse?

"w_tom" wrote in message
...
Compressed air can even change critical dip switch
settings. Never use compressed air on electronics. In on
case, a user vacuumed the computer and therefore removed a
jumper setting. Computer would not operate.

At most, gently vacuum or blow dust off of ventilation
holes. Nothing more. If a dust problem is that large, then
either an industrial grade computer for a harsh environment is
required, or some silly person installed too many fans. Five
fans inside a case does create dust problems especially since
most every computer works just fine with only one 80mm fan.

Why did power supply die? Air that is exhausted from
computer must not be air that reenters computer. Ventilation
is why holes must be properly cut in a cabinet that holds a
computer - so that heat does not recycle. Computers must work
just fine when room air is 100 degree F. A computer in a 70
degree room just will never have failures due to dust - if
computer is properly designed and ventilated.

Do not use compressed air on electronics. First it is not
necessary. Second it can cause other failures. Too many have
this 'clean' fetish. They always want to cure something only
because it looks dirty. Short of large globs of dust on
ventilation holes or large dust balls inside the case -
removing dust is unnecessary.

I only remove dust because I don't like getting my hands
dirty if I happen to be inside the machine. Once even found
a death mouse. But computer worked just fine.

"A. & C. Bredt" wrote:
I have it on a UPS, but I see that it is very dusty inside.

How often would you use compressed air to clean it? Should I open
it each time to do it?

Hi All

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth, I use my air compressor, portable
type that I purchased to maintain my tires and have used it to blow out the
computer with negative problems. I am careful with it and don't get to
close. Surprised me how much dust came out of the computer. We vacuum
twice a week and over a period time it still accumulates quite a bit of
dust. Mainly in the exit fan area.

Lee

----- Original Message -----
From: "lazya"

I've used compressed air - from my compressor in the garage, not
compressed air in a can - for morethan six years and on many computers,
never had a problem/ although I don't hold the nozzle too close to the
case, unless I am cleaning out heat sinks and fans.