Static = PC Crash

[Finnkc]

So I have a basic PVR PC that sits in my ent. unit with my AMP/DVD PLayers ... etc

The case is a Coolermaster Cavalier 2 Desktop case and it never gave me problems before until I noticed it crashing alot ... so I took it appart and checked it out everything was fine.

I then noticed that it was crashing when ever I touched it ... that made me think STATIC!

I have gona over the case now for a 2nd time and I don't see anything not connected right.

But I know now for sure it has to do with Static and I can't figure out how to fix it.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Finnkc
So I have a basic PVR PC that sits in my ent. unit with my AMP/DVD PLayers ... etc

The case is a Coolermaster Cavalier 2 Desktop case and it never gave me problems before until I noticed it crashing alot ... so I took it appart and checked it out everything was fine.

I then noticed that it was crashing when ever I touched it ... that made me think STATIC!

I have gona over the case now for a 2nd time and I don't see anything not connected right.

But I know now for sure it has to do with Static and I can't figure out how to fix it.

Had this same exact problem that blew out my old 500W PSU. Whenever i touched it, it would kinda zap me or i would feel some sort of static. I found out my house's ground wire wasnt properly installed. Once this was fixed, i didnt feel anymore static.

You might want to check the ground out.


Other then that i dont see why it crashes each time you touch it. Maybe it doesnt like being touched? :X

I dont see how it would effect anything if you touched it on a plastic part. If it crashes when you touch the metal it could mean a bad back pin connection, or maybe a loose capacitor?

When you say touch you dont mean Hit right?

 

[SparkyJJO]

My guess is a bad ground as well

 

[Gautama2]

Bad ground.

 

[Zepper]

Yup, you should always test the outlets you are using around the house for any kind of equipment or appliances. You can get an outlet tester for under $5.00 - just plug it in and a group of LEDs tell you if the outlet is good or miswired and how it's miswired. Every homeowner/renter/student living away from home/etc. should have and use one. The home improvement centers around here often have them on sale for around $2.00 and now they have them with a button on it to test ground fault protection outlets.

.bh.

 

[Finnkc]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: Finnkc
So I have a basic PVR PC that sits in my ent. unit with my AMP/DVD PLayers ... etc

The case is a Coolermaster Cavalier 2 Desktop case and it never gave me problems before until I noticed it crashing alot ... so I took it appart and checked it out everything was fine.

I then noticed that it was crashing when ever I touched it ... that made me think STATIC!

I have gona over the case now for a 2nd time and I don't see anything not connected right.

But I know now for sure it has to do with Static and I can't figure out how to fix it.

Had this same exact problem that blew out my old 500W PSU. Whenever i touched it, it would kinda zap me or i would feel some sort of static. I found out my house's ground wire wasnt properly installed. Once this was fixed, i didnt feel anymore static.

You might want to check the ground out.


Other then that i dont see why it crashes each time you touch it. Maybe it doesnt like being touched? :X

I dont see how it would effect anything if you touched it on a plastic part. If it crashes when you touch the metal it could mean a bad back pin connection, or maybe a loose capacitor?

When you say touch you dont mean Hit right?

Ya that is exactly what happens ... I know its winter here and the air does get dry so static does build more so then in the summer, but everytime I touch the PC case I get a small zap ... its a fully Alu. case. I am gona check the grounds and see wtf is up with this.

Its really weird because the thing runs like a champ all day long then as soon as I touch it ... boom it hard locks. I have even tried banging it around and tapping it and it has no effect.

I just hope I don't build up enough of a charge to damage anything ... if I haven't done so already that is.

I am gona check the outlet tonight, if the outlet reads clean could it be my PSU?

Thanks for your feed back too guy. Man it really pisses me off when stupid crap like this happens.

 

[VinDSL]

I'd call Ghost Busters...

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Finnkc
I am gona check the outlet tonight, if the outlet reads clean could it be my PSU?

could be yes. Also check to make sure there isn't any partial shorts between the mobo and the mobo tray (like abnormally long solder points).

 

[aigomorla]

Simple and most cost effective approach.

1. Check ground. If its bad, id fix it, you can blow out everything else in your house.

2. If ground and power is clean, its the PSU. Upgrade to something decient, unless u plan on upgrading your entire system. The psu can always be recycled if its a good PSU to your next build.

3. If all is good on top, its your mobo. Might want to concider an RMA on it, or replace it. The solution is yours.

4. Still having issues... i honestly dont know then.. you shouldnt because you changed most of the parts. It would pull out all extra parts minus the essentials and see if it still crashes.


Also I heard sometimes, and i say sometimes, if your running a Xfi, it crashes your system if you have onboard sound installed. Something about IRQ. If you fit in this catigory i would try a google on it.

 

[Cruise51]

It could be an "eddy current":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Current

I had the same problem with my previous computer. It would often reboot or hard lock when I touched it. After changing out many parts I noticed it would only do it when the monitor was within around a foot from the case. I tried putting a grounded metal mesh on the side panel facing the monitor and the problem went away.

You could try moving it away from any CRT monitors/TVs and sub-woofers (anything with a strong magnetic field), if the problem persists you can rule this out.

 

[Finnkc]

Ok so I checked my AC power and it passes ... everything is ok.

So I then turned my attention to the power bar ... I replaced it with another newer one I had. No change. So I put the other one back in.

I then took the entire PC apart, and rebuilt it ... I started with just the mobo, cpu, ram, video, W.Lan, and primary 30gb Drive. and it worked fine ... no crashes from anything. I even got a few little zaps from the case and it never even twitched.

So I then dropped in the other 2 drives ... both 500gb Seagates that are no more then 6 months old. Again no crashes

So I re-attach all the cooling case fans, boot her up again ... and no crashes.

Right about now I am scratching my head - wtf? Everything is now back in the PC and running fine?

So I put the cover back on and give it one last try ... and sure enough no crashes ...

I really have no idea why it works now, maybe something was touching another part that shouldn't have been ... but now it runs great.

Weird.

 

[A554SS1N]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
I'd call Ghost Busters...

lol

 

[tylerdustin2008]

Did you try a PSU tester on the PSU?