Scorch Marks on psu wire

jtwn · 10-09-2004, 11:25

After switching my computer on this morning, all the graphics were all chunky, the resolution was really low, i checked in device manager and my 9800 pro was flagged as 'could not start', uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling it didnt want to know, so i did a system restore.

After this i got the screen 'please connect your power cable to you 9800 video card'....Strange i thought, i havent moved anything inside recently, it did seem quite loose, plugged it in again, switched on, same error. So i took it out, to swap it with a molex in a hard drive, and there are scorch marks all round the 5v wire, on the plastic casing...i wouldn't know what could of caused this, the psu, radeon, ill-fitted cable?

I dont particuarly want to be roasted by my computer at night when left on...any ideas?

Thanks

Millay · 10-09-2004, 11:39

it hasnt been sitting next to any heatsinks has it? these get hot enough to cause scorching to the cable. otherwise buy a new power supply..

Salu · 10-09-2004, 11:41

Arcing perhaps, due to a bad connection on the molex??

TheBlueRaja · 10-09-2004, 11:41

IS it just on the PSU wire? Are there any other indications of burning? It might be that your GFX card is Fooked and blown a capacitor or something (complete guess BTW) as i would expect more than just scorth marks on the OUTSIDE(?) of the plastic casing.

Are there any exposed wires on the PSU cable either? Can you try another PSU wire or Graphics card to see what the culprit is?

If its the Graphics card, i have a 9800 Pro for 100 quid if you want one

jtwn · 10-09-2004, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millay

it hasnt been sitting next to any heatsinks has it? these get hot enough to cause scorching to the cable. otherwise buy a new power supply..

Well its not near to the heatsink -

http://www.vr-zone.com/reviews/Visio...0Pro/page2.htm

Btw..my psu is a 550w, connected up to an athlon 2600, my gfx card, one dvdrw drive and 3 hard drives but its...generic (i never saw the point in shelling out for a brand name).

Maybe i should of made it more clear, the scorching is around metal connection things inside the molex..

Ill take a look at both the original and the one now in the gfx card at the end of the day.

Sorry raja, its under warranty and if it is playing up...its going back

bonzoe · 10-09-2004, 12:58

I agree with Salu, sounds like the loose connection was causing the problem, try tightening it.

SMHarman · 10-09-2004, 14:18

The scorching is indicative of high current drain being taken, the card and board should work together and the current drain should be within spec, so scorching should not occur unless the card is faulty and taking too much current.

Richard M · 10-09-2004, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwn

(i never saw the point in shelling out for a brand name).

Bet you do know though...

greencreeper · 10-09-2004, 15:52

Is it me or are modern PCs really just incendiary devices in disguise? First that thread with the motherboard that went up in a puff of smoke, and now a PSU that's mysteriously scorched.

dilli-theclaw · 10-09-2004, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Is it me or are modern PCs really just incendiary devices in disguise? First that thread with the motherboard that went up in a puff of smoke, and now a PSU that's mysteriously scorched.

I've only seen one of my pc's actually catch fire.....

I've had a few psu's go with a bang tho.

10-09-2004, 16:54

After having 4 PC's within 10 years, I've had nothing catch fire, burn, or even blow. Nothing like that has ever happened to me. Unless it's because I always use surge protectors?

**Paul** · 10-09-2004, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I've had a few psu's go with a bang tho.

Exploding capacitors .... such fun & memories ......

jtwn · 10-09-2004, 18:20

I had a psu blow up on me...scared the hell out of me, big bang and a plume of smoke through the grille..it still carried on working though

(i didnt carry on using it though

) - another generic brand psu, so yes richard, i think ive learnt my lesson

Anyway, im going to check it now.

bonzoe · 10-09-2004, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

The scorching is indicative of high current drain being taken, the card and board should work together and the current drain should be within spec, so scorching should not occur unless the card is faulty and taking too much current.

Or arcing caused by a bad connection, he said the molex was loose.