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General => Help => Topic started by: Mr. Analog on July 10, 2021, 06:32:46 PM

Title: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 10, 2021, 06:32:46 PM
System idling: Fine
System under load: Fine
Power system off: Circuit breaker trips

I have no idea what could cause this but it's a little concerning. I'm also having problems with my USB ports again which heralded my last power supply dying. What the frig is going on???

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Lazybones on July 10, 2021, 11:10:14 PM
On shutdown not boot? That is strange.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 10, 2021, 11:11:47 PM
Yeah I power it off and then a few moments later my panel trips. I can't figure it out...

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Lazybones on July 11, 2021, 01:54:28 PM
Do you have one of those cheap outlet testers? Maybe your outlet is wired badly?
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 11, 2021, 03:04:24 PM
I'll have to get one. Any recommendations?

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Lazybones on July 11, 2021, 10:29:25 PM
Was thinking something simple like one of these.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/klein-tools-gfci-receptacle-tester/1001012662

Just to check if the ground and basic wires of the outlet are correct. They are safe, cheap, and fairly idiot proof.

As for testing the PSU itself that would require something like a multi meter and the basic skills to use that. I only say that because I have shorted the fuses in my car a few times with using my multi meter incorrectly lol.

To pop a breaker during shut down the PC must be doing something very strange like a strait short as other wise it seems odd it could pop a breaker.. have you opened your system up and looked for any damaged wire? etc while it is unplugged?

I had one situation many years ago where a sharp PC had damaged the speaker wire on a PC and it shorted to the case.. Didn't pop the breaker and instead created a smelly melty mess of wire insulation.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Melbosa on July 12, 2021, 12:13:35 AM
Change your power cord and power bar.  Could be fault in either, and those are the cheapest things to replace.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 12, 2021, 08:44:52 AM
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have a feeling it's related to my USB somehow.

It's the darnedest thing. If I have it plugged into any outlet in the room powered off eventually it will trip the breaker. If I leave it on or unplugged no problems

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 12, 2021, 07:28:09 PM
So yeah, tried a different cord / power bar / socket and I get the same behavior every time. Powered off = trips breaker.

I have it powered on now and so far so good. I'm honestly stumped by this. I could understand it if it was tripping while the system was running but not AND ONLY not when it's powered off.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Melbosa on July 12, 2021, 11:30:30 PM
So now its either your PSU, Receptacle in the Wall or Weak Breaker.  Easiest test is another outlet in the room, which may narrow down to the Breaker or PSU.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 13, 2021, 02:05:39 PM
I tested a different socket and had the same effect.

I'm starting to think it might be the motherboard as this power supply is only a few months old plus the front USB ports are acting up...

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Lazybones on July 13, 2021, 02:09:42 PM
If you have the time check the whole board and remove it from your case and double check the placement of ALL of the metal stand offs.. Maybe there is one in the wrong place and it is grounding the back of the motherboard where it should not.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 13, 2021, 02:12:19 PM
Yeah I might have to take it back to Memory Express and get them to look at it.

I'm very tempted to just buy a new system and throw the 3080 in it. I've had this rig since 2014

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Thorin on July 13, 2021, 08:35:14 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 13, 2021, 02:12:19 PMYeah I might have to take it back to Memory Express and get them to look at it.

I'm very tempted to just buy a new system and throw the 3080 in it. I've had this rig since 2014

Mr. Money Bags! :)

..

But seriously, seven years is pretty long to keep a high-end gaming computer, I'd go with a new system if I had the cash.  What video card do you have in this system now?
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 13, 2021, 08:51:09 PM
Quote from: Thorin on July 13, 2021, 08:35:14 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 13, 2021, 02:12:19 PMYeah I might have to take it back to Memory Express and get them to look at it.

I'm very tempted to just buy a new system and throw the 3080 in it. I've had this rig since 2014

Mr. Money Bags! :)

..

But seriously, seven years is pretty long to keep a high-end gaming computer, I'd go with a new system if I had the cash.  What video card do you have in this system now?
I have a GTX 3080, so I'd take it out of this build and put it in a new one.

My main concern at this point is that I use this PC for just about everything and even though I still have the power supply backed up by MemEx's replacement warranty I'm worried that it's a deeper problem. (Again having multiple USB ports fail at our last D&D session has me worried because that's the behaviour I saw before the last power supply died)

Suffice to say I'm keeping an eye on it but don't be surprised if I need a ride to MemEx again

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Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 23, 2022, 07:03:28 PM
So! I have one less computer running on the circuit and I'm using my alt gaming rig and my power is tripping again.

I honestly can't figure this out, I've taken almost everything off the circuit that's causing the problem but it seems like the more I disconnect the more it trips.

Vastly frustrating problem to have!!
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 23, 2022, 07:50:34 PM
So fingers crossed I have it figured out, I think my really old machine was causing a short somewhere. Since I don't use it anymore I've powered it off and unplugged it, so far so good.

I also moved which power bar my monitor is plugged into, I'm not exactly sure what the draw is but maybe? it was causing a problem??

I'm totally baffled, like I've had extreme loads with 4 PCs hooked up to this outlet and had no problems whatsoever. I unplug stuff and all of a sudden my circuit breaker is tripping balls
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Melbosa on March 23, 2022, 10:07:40 PM
Outlet is bad somewhere maybe... unplugging wiggled it and now it is shorting... guessing here.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Tom on March 25, 2022, 08:29:59 AM
Yeah, if any outlets wiggle, remove the cover plate, try and move them to the center of the box, tighten them down, and put the cover plate back on. If you notice any significant black marks, or melted wire, you'll probably want to get an electrician in to double check things. but if its just a little arcing from the plug being too close/touching the electrical box its probably nothing to worry about after it's centered and locked down. IF you feel confident enough, turn off the breaker for the room plugs and also double check the plugs wire connections are tight as well. Loose electrical connections are a severe hazard. So if you're in there and turn off the breaker, its worth just double checking, especially if you have a weird problem.

My new place had a BUNCH of wiggly plugs. The trailer had a couple loose connections in the breaker box (the breaker box was buzzing. its freaked me out. called an electrician just in case it was something serious, turns out it was just loose connections to the bus bar). Its normally just a case of making sure connections are tight.

But the original power off thing is a tad weird. You'd want to take everything off the circuit and test one thing at a time if all the outelets are more or less fine.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 08:32:16 AM
Yeah all my plugs are solid and this problem only appears when I turn my machines off. Having everything running? No problems.

I am perplexed
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Melbosa on March 25, 2022, 10:55:42 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 08:32:16 AMYeah all my plugs are solid and this problem only appears when I turn my machines off. Having everything running? No problems.

I am perplexed
If you have a device/power bar with a ground fault, it can cause a brownout situation that can pop a breaker.  Extremely rare, but is possible.  When powered up you won't see it cause the current will be constant.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 11:10:18 AM
Quote from: Melbosa on March 25, 2022, 10:55:42 AM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 08:32:16 AMYeah all my plugs are solid and this problem only appears when I turn my machines off. Having everything running? No problems.

I am perplexed
If you have a device/power bar with a ground fault, it can cause a brownout situation that can pop a breaker.  Extremely rare, but is possible.  When powered up you won't see it cause the current will be constant.

I never thought of that. Might be time to change my power strips anyway
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Lazybones on March 25, 2022, 01:03:56 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 11:10:18 AMI never thought of that. Might be time to change my power strips anyway

Are they branded or generic power strips.. Many power bars are nothing but bare wires on a conductive plate.

Normally I run my gear through at a minimum an APC / Tripplite / Cyberpower branded power bar with a surge rating.

My main computer and NAS are both connected to their own 1500VA UPS I picked up costco.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Mr. Analog on March 25, 2022, 01:08:17 PM
My power strips are both Dynex
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Melbosa on March 25, 2022, 01:27:38 PM
I'm like lazy, either my computers are on a UPS line or on a Name Brand surge protected technical power strip (CyberPower mostly in my house) that comes with hardware guarantee values - for me those seem to be the best for dealing with power.  Most of mine also have an indication that tells me if the line itself is good and grounded properly, regardless of anything being plugged in.
Title: Re: I am confused and somewhat concerned (PC power problem)
Post by: Tom on March 26, 2022, 08:18:40 AM
I /had/ everthing hooked up to UPSs, but my UPS batteries keep dying before I get around to buying new ones, and last time I had time to deal with crap the actual cost to get the large SLA batteries for my UPSs shipped over was a little hard to swallow.

AND the movers managed to destroy one of my UPSs. so now I get to buy a new one. Or see if I can get away with my consumer/soho cyberpower UPS thats been out in the shed/garage for a few years. sigh. its battery is certainly dead and the whole unit might be by now as well. we shal see.

Somehow the power goes out here in the new house more than in evergreen. Evergreen basically has ONE main power grid connection. This part of the city should be fully integrated into the grid. yet somehow we've had two full 1+ hour outages in the past few months.

:shrug:

Powerstrip wise I typically go with beefy strips. Don't usually care about the actual brand, so long as it has some kind of guarantee or is HEAFTY and rated for plenty of KV (of surge protection) and W/VA (load). At least for computers. For random junk, I use just about any power strip as long as it isn't a POS.