When your computer goes bang....

simple error, hard to find problem

[gsx]

Recently, I changed my mouse to an optical mouse. It didn't work too well, after about four weeks (last night) my computer exploded. Literally!

Yes, the power supply exploded. The computer had been playing up and regularly the keyboard or mouse would not work (sometimes other peripherals).

It appears that I had overloaded the power supply as my nice new mouse and putting in an extra CD drive had causes more power consumption.

So if anyone has a problem with peripherals working intermitantly, check your power supply before the same happens to you!

[lorax]

Hello gsx,
I've seen that happen before but it wasn't because of an over-taxed power supply. It was a simple $5 fan that had frozen up and caused the power supply to overheat. Then it went *poof*. Sorry to learn it happened to you though.

[gsx]

Glad I'm not the only one! No, it wasn't a fan in my machine - I would know if that stopped (I have to turn the radio up a bit when my computer is on! :))

[Marcia]

I think if you can hear it there's a problem to begin with. My daughter "heard" mine sound a little funny a while back and told me to be prepared.

Mine cut out a couple of times a few weeks ago when I tried to defrag, was OK after a while. A friend who's a tech said they'll cut off when they overheat and suggested I vaccuum it because they collect dust.

I just got a new optical mouse and there haven't been any problems so far. Still afraid to defrag, though.

[tigger]

I've just been looking at a new optical one, but the only thing that is annoying is all the ones I've looked at are for right-handed users.

So I'm currently experimenting to see how I get on using my mouse with my right hand, it opens a whole new world, I can now eat while looking around the net

[gsx]

The one I use is suitable for left/right handed use. It has two scroll wheels though, they are diagnally behind each other, other than that it is perfectly symetrical. If you want to know where you can get them from in the UK, stickymail me and I'll try and get some prices from the company I got mine from (although delivery can take a good 6-8 weeks because they don't use the supplier very often)

[tigger]

Cheers, I'm after one of the finger moulded type mice as I'm finding my fingers are getting hot & sometime cramp after a long day.

My wife’s uses the Microsoft optical mouse but again only right-handers can use it due to the additional buttons where the thumb goes.

If you have any info pls drop me a sticky