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PSU comes back from the dead. Advice?

PrudentPrincess

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Well, I got a new PSU in the mail, plugged in all of my cables, turned it on and it started smoking out of the molex connector (my PSU is modular). Not like a puff of smoke but a steady stream for about 10-20sec. I was a little freaked out. But being the dumbass that I am I plugged everything back in (except to that molex connector) and it looks like its running fine. Am I risking a lot here? It seems like it just shorted out that specific connector not the entire system, not like that makes me feel anybetter. I need advice please. (I should have gotten a pic, dammit)
-Prude
(PS I didn't post the PSU model because its irrelevant and I don't want comments like "That PSU is crap" etc. Its a generic full-sized ATX 720W modular power supply.)
(PSS I'm using it right now and I'm gonna run PRIME95 for about 5 hours)
 

p_o_s_pc

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get it out. something isn't right with it your risking your rig and maybe even a fire
 

Ketxxx

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get it out. something isn't right with it your risking your rig and maybe even a fire

What he said ^

I've got a PSU that's started making a high-pitched noise, and I've taken it out awaiting an RMA on it now. I'm not risking the rest of my PC on the off-chance it might be ok.

Replacing a PSU may be a hassle, but imagine replacing your entire PC?
 

Ketxxx

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A high pitch noise just means a capacitor is on its way out. pop the hood off the PSU an ull likely be able to immediately identify the dodgy cap, jus unsolder it an put a new one in. Much quicker than waiting for an RMA ;)
 
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A high pitch noise just means a capacitor is on its way out. pop the hood off the PSU an ull likely be able to immediately identify the dodgy cap, jus unsolder it an put a new one in. Much quicker than waiting for an RMA ;)

As great as my soldering skills are, I'd much much much rather go through RMA. If it was a £40 PSU I might do it, but it was £100 :p
 

Ketxxx

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Put it down to me being impatient then :p Well not just that.. I'd much rather know the PSU has been fixed properly, only way for that is if I do it myself. Untrusting? Maybe.. but the only good RMA experiences I have are with memory, HDDs and graphics. Anything else what I have got back has been worse than what I sent in for RMA.
 
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Put it down to me being impatient then :p Well not just that.. I'd much rather know the PSU has been fixed properly, only way for that is if I do it myself. Untrusting? Maybe.. but the only good RMA experiences I have are with memory, HDDs and graphics. Anything else what I have got back has been worse than what I sent in for RMA.

It's Tagan though mate, and trust me, I'm really impatient, I cant use my 4870 with my current PSU :(
 

PrudentPrincess

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Hey guys I just emailed Newegg and told them the whole story and I hope they take pity on me, it really wasn't my fault. I don't feel like typing this up more fluently or explaining it much more because I'm using my old laptop and I'm quite distressed ATM.
This is the email I sent them.
Hi I received this PSU and after a little computer cleanup I finally got it up and running last night. It worked great but when I plugged in my new SilenX fan the molex connector on the PSU began to smoke. I turned it off, took it out of my system and it continued to smoke. I thought this could be a fire inside the PSU and I was worried so I unscrewed the top and looked inside to find out where the smoke was coming from. I couldn't see any capacitors blown so I let it sit outside and once it stopped I took another look and put the top back on. I decided that I should return it instead of tinkering around with it but when I was packaging everything up I realized I had broken the seal on the side of the PSU. I've been a customer here for over a year so I decided to tell you the whole story instead of sending it back without a label/explanation. So obviously my question here is would you RMA it even though the seal is broken. I didn't tamper with anything inside. Get back to me please!
-S
 

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Erm.. you would be lucky if they RMA it tbh with the warrenty seal broken. GL.
 

p_o_s_pc

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Erm.. you would be lucky if they RMA it tbh with the warrenty seal broken. GL.

+1

now would you tell us what kind of PSU it is?
 

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TBH - many a time it's better to just call the egg directly instead of going through their email routes;

breaking the warranty seal typically isn't a good thing, but it's better to mention it before hand than have them deny an RMA once they recieve the unit; if they know about it in advance, and the unit is new (like you just got it within a day or two), they're typically very helpful.
 

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TBH - many a time it's better to just call the egg directly instead of going through their email routes;

breaking the warranty seal typically isn't a good thing, but it's better to mention it before hand than have them deny an RMA once they recieve the unit; if they know about it in advance, and the unit is new (like you just got it within a day or two), they're typically very helpful.

Thanks. I've been a customer with them for a while, I'm sure they'll understand. It really wasn't my fault, I just didn't want it to catch on fire. I've been working on computers for about five years now and have never seen that much smoke. :laugh:

+1

now would you tell us what kind of PSU it is?

(PS I didn't post the PSU model because its irrelevant and I don't want comments like "That PSU is crap" etc. Its a generic full-sized ATX 720W modular power supply.)
 

p_o_s_pc

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well i just wanted to know what it was but ok... Good luck with getting that RMA


i looked on the egg i think it is the OCZ
 

PrudentPrincess

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I just talked to them and they're accepting it! Justice has been served!
Now I feel like I should buy more OCZ products...time for some memory!
 

PrudentPrincess

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Sorry for double posting, but I just wanted to let you all know that OCZ sent me this PSU for the RMA:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341009
Which is awesome because I pretty much just got $110 free.
Thought I would post it here instead of starting a new thread.
Thanks OCZ!
You crazys.
 
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