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MS Sidewinder Precision Pro 2 fried my computer?
PuddingSenator
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So after the recent thread in here about the amazing Freespace 2 I dug out my old Precision Pro 2 joystick to play it with. Ever since then I've been leaving it resting on the top of my case and plugged in all the time.
So, last night I was playing a bit of TF2 when I hear a large *CRACK*, and suddenly my computer is powered down. What followed was a very strong smell of burning, and a complete inability to power up anything. So far I haven't been able to take stock of what parts may or may not be fried until I can get a friend over here with his computer to help me test.
When I have my old PSU plugged in the light on the motherboard flashes intermittently, so I think it's safe to say that my old PSU, at least, is fried.
Now, after looking on wikipedia (and on an MS support page, this is a problem they are aware of), I am reading that the Precision Pro 2 has a problem where it builds up a huge static charge which usually just makes the joystick inoperable until it can be unplugged and allowed to dissipate. However, since I had the joystick sitting on top of my PC, and the joystick's base is made of metal, and my case is made of metal, the only theory I can come up with for my PSU suddenly being fried is that the static charge that normally just dissipates was transferred from the joystick to my case and thence to my PSU. Is this plausible? If so, this is the most ridiculous freak occurrence I have ever heard of.
So, last night I was playing a bit of TF2 when I hear a large *CRACK*, and suddenly my computer is powered down. What followed was a very strong smell of burning, and a complete inability to power up anything. So far I haven't been able to take stock of what parts may or may not be fried until I can get a friend over here with his computer to help me test.
When I have my old PSU plugged in the light on the motherboard flashes intermittently, so I think it's safe to say that my old PSU, at least, is fried.
Now, after looking on wikipedia (and on an MS support page, this is a problem they are aware of), I am reading that the Precision Pro 2 has a problem where it builds up a huge static charge which usually just makes the joystick inoperable until it can be unplugged and allowed to dissipate. However, since I had the joystick sitting on top of my PC, and the joystick's base is made of metal, and my case is made of metal, the only theory I can come up with for my PSU suddenly being fried is that the static charge that normally just dissipates was transferred from the joystick to my case and thence to my PSU. Is this plausible? If so, this is the most ridiculous freak occurrence I have ever heard of.
PuddingSenator on
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The problem with PSUs when they hard fail like that is that they can fry your motherboard and attached components, too. Hopefully it just grounded out into your electrical outlet's grounding prong and only killed the PSU along the way. As much as it sucks, it's still only like $50 to replace.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
"Read twice, post once. It's almost like 'measure twice, cut once' only with reading." - MetaverseNomad
That sounds completely fucking absurd.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
What kind of PSU? and how old was it?
Apparently, not only did they not recall it, but it was actually a known flaw in the original Precision Pro as well, they just never bothered to fix it.
Since most cases are plastic and the odds of someone resting a joystick on their case are pretty low anyway, it only ever resulted in the joystick being temporarily unusable, so I guess they just decided it wasn't worth their time.
Enermax Liberty 620W, about a year old.
I used to rest my joystick on the case all that time. I guess I should be glad it was an el-cheapo plastic one.