HELP! Computer Trips Circuit Breaker

Indeed.

To quote the punchline of an old joke about capturing gorillas: "Shoot the dog, shoot the dog!"











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Amie,

If the computer is drawing so much current it is blowin circuit breakers it is highly likely that there are a number of components within the case which are now crispy critters. I'd recommend a new computer--the cost will probably be equal to or less than trying to fix the one you have.

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Want to make a hyperlink in your post, want to add a graphic or sound file, need to troubleshoot a non-working Java applet, want to build an attractive signature? These capabilities can be yours if you visit Denny's DellT@lk Tutorials.
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Ready to sign up for Web server space? Want to learn FTP? Visit Web Presence for Beginners.

Suggestions? Don't let Radio Shack even LOOK at your Dell, much less open it up/tinker with it. Being as how the power supply is what makes the whole thing work, it's rather a necessary component. I'm guessing that your system is out of warranty, and that this is why you chose Dandy Tandy as a repair service? Some things are better left to the folks that work on THOSE PARTICULAR items all the time. British sports cars are one of those things. Computers are another, in my opinion. I'd be shopping VERY carefully for a tech that has a good deal of experience working on Dell systems. I think Radio Shack sells Compaqs.

Good luck!





"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

A thousand pardons I beg of thee, Mr. D. - you weren't there when I started pecking away, but I was interrupted midway by antsy Border Collies and Huskies...





"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

LOL! I agree about your suggestion to not let Radio Shack fix it.

The guy happens to be the one who works on our office computers (which still aren't working right).

Boy, does that ever sound familiar... :-0





"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

I would, but they seem to be the only creatures around here who understand me...





"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

Let's look at this logically. Does the circuit breaker trip when you plug the computer in to the main, or when you switch it on? If it is the former you need to check the cables for kinks or breaks or damaged or incorrectly wired plugs. If you connect the computer and monitor via a surge protector try leaving it out in case it has an internal short. Try using a different mains cable, e.g. the one from your printer to substitute for each cable in turn.
There are two types of device people call "circuit breakers" One type replaces a conventional fuse and trips only on an over current, here in the UK the house ring mains have 30 amp breakers. (enough current to fry the comuter and you with it) The other type of circuit breaker is now called a residual current device (RCD) over here, though they were different and called "earth leakage circuit breakers" (ELCB) at one time. What an RCD does is measure any difference in the current flowing in the live and neutral wires and trip if it detects any imbalace, even as low as a few milliamps. (an ELCB was very similar but measured current flow to the earth wire) If what you have is an RCD tripping then it only takes a very minor leakage of current to earth in a faulty cable to trip out. An RCD will also trip if dirt in a socket is allowing a tiny current leakage to earth. My best guess is that if the trip happens when you plug in and switch on the main, then it is a cable fault, but if the trip only occurs when you press the power button on the computer then your repairman has probably wired the new power unit incorrectly. (did he test it?) A power supply unit is essentially a transformer and rectifier to provide low voltage DC supply to the motherboard and the various drives in the computer. If the primary side of the transformer has been incorrectly connected there may well be no current at the secondary side and therefore no damage to the computer. If the cables and surge protector are OK you will need to check (or have someone else check) the connections made inside the computer case from the power inlet socket to the power supply unit via the switch. It could be something as dumb as a power and earth line reversed. I am not certain if this is true for the USA but in England 110 volt transformers are used for building site electrics. They are arranged so that each line wire carries 55volts, one positive and the other negative so that the two wires provide a 110 volt potential, but if you grasp a live wire you only get a 55volt shock (which wont kill you) as that is the potential to earth. If this is true of US house wiring then connecting the power supply incorrectly with one line wire and an earth wire to the primary transformer circuit would give it 55 volts, which would do no damage, but if the other line wire has been earthed to the chassis this might have done serious damage. Good luck Arnie, please let us know how you get on.