I was asked to check out a computer yesterday that wasn't working. It is used with some older scientific equipment, that was just given to us. The computer itself is a generic Pentium 4 PC that has ISA slots for a machine control card. The computer was NOT starting up, and after reseating the memory and checking connections, I couldn't find anything wrong.
It was plugged in to what appeared to be a line conditioner, as were several other things. The plug was normal PSU plug on one end, and on the other it wasn't an outlet plug, but was one of these types: http://www.cableclub.com/images/20573.jpg
The "line conditioner" had labeled power plugs for the computer, an IBM LCD monitor, printer, and the scientific equipment. The weird thing was that the computer was set for 230v operation (I'm sure you can see where this is going). I looked the line conditioner thing over, and the only thing I found was a small label on the front that said "110v". There was a booklet on the equipment which i looked through and found no specifications on the line conditioner type box. The box was plugged into a regular 120v outlet. After looking everything over, I thought the computer must set to the wrong voltage. Like an idiot, I didn't go and track down a volt-ohm meter. I switched it on to the sound gunfire -- or what sounded like it -- as caps blew in the PSU. I pulled the plug right away -- just as a small amount of smoke came out of the PSU. I cussed so loud they heard it in Minnesota. I've been beating myself over the head for the last 24 hours.
So apparently this black (actually ivory color) box is a step-up transformer. Wonderful. I know the power supply is gone, but what are the chances of reviving the motherboard? i would just throw a different one in, but it has ISA slots, AND that proprietary card. If anything, I need to try to salvage that card. I can probably buy another board from the MB manufacturer, who I have located, although ISA P4 boards look to be around $300. There is no VISIBLE damage to the motherboard, but I expect something got damaged.
Would one of the experts PLEEEEASE help me try to figure out how bad the damage is and if this is salvageable? Where should I start?
Thanks!!!!!
It was plugged in to what appeared to be a line conditioner, as were several other things. The plug was normal PSU plug on one end, and on the other it wasn't an outlet plug, but was one of these types: http://www.cableclub.com/images/20573.jpg
The "line conditioner" had labeled power plugs for the computer, an IBM LCD monitor, printer, and the scientific equipment. The weird thing was that the computer was set for 230v operation (I'm sure you can see where this is going). I looked the line conditioner thing over, and the only thing I found was a small label on the front that said "110v". There was a booklet on the equipment which i looked through and found no specifications on the line conditioner type box. The box was plugged into a regular 120v outlet. After looking everything over, I thought the computer must set to the wrong voltage. Like an idiot, I didn't go and track down a volt-ohm meter. I switched it on to the sound gunfire -- or what sounded like it -- as caps blew in the PSU. I pulled the plug right away -- just as a small amount of smoke came out of the PSU. I cussed so loud they heard it in Minnesota. I've been beating myself over the head for the last 24 hours.
So apparently this black (actually ivory color) box is a step-up transformer. Wonderful. I know the power supply is gone, but what are the chances of reviving the motherboard? i would just throw a different one in, but it has ISA slots, AND that proprietary card. If anything, I need to try to salvage that card. I can probably buy another board from the MB manufacturer, who I have located, although ISA P4 boards look to be around $300. There is no VISIBLE damage to the motherboard, but I expect something got damaged.
Would one of the experts PLEEEEASE help me try to figure out how bad the damage is and if this is salvageable? Where should I start?
Thanks!!!!!
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