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Can I take some of the load off my PC's failing 12V rail?
GameHat
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
OK,
I'll be building a new computer within the next month or so. My current PC has served me well for many, many years but there's just no good upgrade options left for me.
That said, my computer now is ailing but I need it to last for a month or two more.
The biggest problem? Maybe a year ago a nearby lightning strike damaged my power supply. Yes, I have everything plugged in through a decent surge protector. No, surge protectors don't do shit against nearby lightning strikes.
The main power connection from the power supply has visible scorch marks on two of the prongs of the plug that connect it to the motherboard. The motherboard looks to be ok.
The problem manifests itself as such:
Every few days, I get a hard system crash. On reboot, if I go into the BIOS and check the voltage levels, I will see that my 12V rail is only getting around 10V or so. Hence, big ol' crash.
What is interesting is that I can temporarily restore the 12V rail - reseating the power connection or sometimes just jiggling. I reboot then and show a healthy 12V on the 12V rail. Probably due to minor case vibration this "fixes" me for a day or two. The frequency of me needing to do this is getting shorter and shorter.
I'll be building a new PC shortly, so I don't want to drop money on a new power supply. What I am wondering - I have two components on PCI slots that I could live without temporarily: A wireless network adapter and a sound card. Both could be (sub optimally) replaced with existing features on my motherboard (MSI K8N Neo Platinum) network adapter and on-board audio.
Would this take any load off the 12V rail and help me stay stable until I can get a new PC up and running?
I'll be building a new computer within the next month or so. My current PC has served me well for many, many years but there's just no good upgrade options left for me.
That said, my computer now is ailing but I need it to last for a month or two more.
The biggest problem? Maybe a year ago a nearby lightning strike damaged my power supply. Yes, I have everything plugged in through a decent surge protector. No, surge protectors don't do shit against nearby lightning strikes.
The main power connection from the power supply has visible scorch marks on two of the prongs of the plug that connect it to the motherboard. The motherboard looks to be ok.
The problem manifests itself as such:
Every few days, I get a hard system crash. On reboot, if I go into the BIOS and check the voltage levels, I will see that my 12V rail is only getting around 10V or so. Hence, big ol' crash.
What is interesting is that I can temporarily restore the 12V rail - reseating the power connection or sometimes just jiggling. I reboot then and show a healthy 12V on the 12V rail. Probably due to minor case vibration this "fixes" me for a day or two. The frequency of me needing to do this is getting shorter and shorter.
I'll be building a new PC shortly, so I don't want to drop money on a new power supply. What I am wondering - I have two components on PCI slots that I could live without temporarily: A wireless network adapter and a sound card. Both could be (sub optimally) replaced with existing features on my motherboard (MSI K8N Neo Platinum) network adapter and on-board audio.
Would this take any load off the 12V rail and help me stay stable until I can get a new PC up and running?
GameHat on
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Posts
Lightning strikes will cause the power supply to have more DC ripple (makes it more like AC, which is very bad)
If you don't get a new PSU soon you run the risk of frying your MoBo. You really wont want to do that with your brand new equipment.
but they're listening to every word I say
Seriously, any scenario not involving a power supply that is 100% trustworthy can only end in tears.
No, you guys are missing the point.
I'm replacing everything in a month or so. Completely new PC.
Just wondering how I can keep the wounded PC stable until then.
Does your motherboard have any sort of graphical out?
Because most GPUs run on the 12V rail, if I'm not mistaken.
Probably not throw it out, but:
Mobo won't support much better than my current Athlon XP 3000+.
AGP only.
Like I said, I don't have any good upgrade options. I've been using this PC, with upgrades every year or so, since 2000. It's probably time for retirement.
Do this.
5 minutes of work switching out the power supply will save you 3 weeks of not having a computer if it blows up on you.