Problem with mums computer?

[Benty666]

My mum was telling me the other day that she had a power cut whilst her pc was switched on. Anyway agyetr the power returned, she turned on her pc and heard a load bang. Her pc hasn't been able to switch off since.

I've taken the PC apart and can smell faint burning from inside the power unit.

Should I be able to buy a power unit and replace it with ease? Does it have to be a specific packard bell power unit or will any work?
Has anyone tried replacing the power unit and it still not working?

All help it much appreciated
Any more information and I'll be happy to inform

Thanks

Chris

 

[breezer]

Changing the powersupply is easy, it just un plugs.

you need to find the rating of the one you (your mum) had and which type, then by and install a new one that is the same

try maplin

 

[Softus]

Should I be able to buy a power unit and replace it with ease?

Probably, but a few models have a PSU with an unusually small form factor, and standard PSUs are too big for these.

Does it have to be a specific packard bell power unit or will any work?

Any brand will work, but...

If you have a Pentium 4 then you need a PSU with the additional motherboard connector.

If you have a AT motherboard then you need an AT PSU.

If you have a ATX motherboard then you need an ATX PSU.

You need to get a PSU whose rated output is no less than the sum of the devices you want it to support.

The hard drive and optical drive power connectors needs to match your drives, which can be PATA or SATA.

Has anyone tried replacing the power unit and it still not working?

Er, yes. It means that the PSU sh@gged the motherboard during the act of going Bang.

 

[Steve]

We had a couple of large surges at work yesterday, it tripped out the self-protecting ballasts in a whole 2 rows of lights. Luckily, turning them off and back on sorted it. Clever light fittings!

Unfortunately, computers aren't so protective of themselves, especially as they are made with cheap components (even packard bell).

I recommend a good quality UPS battery backup and mains smoothing device for anyone fed by any local overhead lines, since this sort of supply is prone to surges and cuts.

All our IT equipment at work is on a UPS (good job since its all brand new and very expensive). Look to spend £100+ if you go down this route.