US visiting UK, do I need an adapter or a converter for my laptop? [more inside]
posted by sepsis on Nov 8, 2009 - 12 answers

My desktop power supply has emitted some blue sparks, and not at all in the nice Mario Kart sort of way. It's pretty clear there's an internal short- is it likely that this fried any of my other components, and are there any defensive measures I should take when replacing it? [more inside]
posted by DoubleMark on Oct 30, 2009 - 4 answers

How do I buy a universal AC adapter from Radioshack? [more inside]
posted by defmute on Jun 4, 2009 - 8 answers

What are your experiences with different brands and types of benchtop/lab power supplies? Do certain ones fail more often than others? Easier to fix? Better power conditioning? [more inside]
posted by jwells on Apr 30, 2009 - 8 answers

My desktop computer's power supplies (three thus far) keep overheating and then fail permanently -- but only when they are plugged in through a power strip (i.e., everything is perfectly fine when the computer is plugged directly into a wall outlet). [more inside]
posted by astrochimp on Mar 23, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me to understand the brain-melting world of computer power supplies, why my new PC is having issues, and what I should be looking for in a new PSU... see within for the usual technical guff. [more inside]
posted by malpractice on Jan 23, 2009 - 5 answers

Homebrew PC is making a lot of noise — advice on how I should fix this? [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Dec 29, 2008 - 17 answers

Can I use the power supply of a different type model? [more inside]
posted by czechmate on Sep 8, 2008 - 2 answers

Laptop power question. [more inside]
posted by dpx.mfx on Sep 4, 2008 - 7 answers

A probably-out-of-his-depth n00b asks: Weatherproof, "high" wattage electronics power supply? [more inside]
posted by DU on Aug 21, 2008 - 11 answers

Can I replace a power supply on a cordless drill battery charger with a different voltage power supply? [more inside]
posted by tomble on Jul 17, 2008 - 3 answers

I need to replace a power supply on a FlexPOS 150 (a touchscreen-based point-of-sale computer). However, one ever-looming obstacle towers over me like some malevolent god-beast (with a lot of screws): how the hell do I take this machine apart? [more inside]
posted by The Great Big Mulp on Jun 14, 2008 - 6 answers

I am charging at least 20, but up to 30 electronic components. Each will draw 300mA at 5-7VDC. What sort of power supply do I need? [more inside]
posted by tip120 on May 1, 2008 - 10 answers

I consider this to be google cheating, but I honestly know nothing of this. Get me a power supply - model #atx-300-12e or the equivalent. Asap. Please. [more inside]
posted by damnjezebel on Apr 9, 2008 - 14 answers

My desktop computer is dead dead dead (I think -- can you help me be sure?). I was going to get a new iMac anyway, so now I'll just move those plans up. I understand there's a utility to migrate all my files from the old Windows machine to the new Mac -- how can I make that happen when the old one won't start? [more inside]
posted by gleuschk on Mar 27, 2008 - 10 answers

When my parents' PC is turned off, the fans on the motherboard (case and cpu) spin. What's the deal? Setup and more info inside... [more inside]
posted by zackola on Feb 23, 2008 - 8 answers

I'll be building a computer in a few months, and I have a few questions about aesthetics, case mods, and power supplies. [more inside]
posted by fvox13 on Jan 25, 2008 - 13 answers

Help me diagnose my Powerbook’s power supply woes. [more inside]
posted by rtha on Jan 16, 2008 - 11 answers

Power supply problem? A few weeks ago, when high winds hit the Oregon coast, my house lost power and my PC shut down. When it was restored, my computer wouldn't restart. So, I toggled my surge protector on and off, tried again, and the computer started. Then I unplugged the surge protector and waited out the storm. No problems until yesterday... [more inside]
posted by partner on Jan 2, 2008 - 7 answers

RandomPowerAdapterFilter: I need a suitable power supply for a Thrustmaster Top Gun Afterburner Force Feedback Joystick. [more inside]
posted by trokair on Dec 21, 2007 - 2 answers

What is wrong with my surge protector??!! [more inside]
posted by Hargrimm on Nov 28, 2007 - 13 answers

My mother's computer won't turn on. I replaced the power supply, which now allows the light on the tower to turn on, but the system still doesn't boot. [more inside]
posted by gecko12 on Nov 26, 2007 - 12 answers

Hi, I'm echolalia's husband...and have an...intriguing computer problem I apologize for the length of my tale and any crossposting that may have gone before, but some of this hardware stuff is pretty new. My graphic card blew out the other day and I decided to not only replace it, but waay upgrade (crysis is coming)...so I got a geforce 8800. [more inside]
posted by echolalia67 on Jul 28, 2007 - 26 answers

Why is a hard drive preventing my computer from turning on? [more inside]
posted by JulianDay on Jun 11, 2007 - 4 answers

For UNIX-like systems (Linux, BSD, Solaris) is there a way to determine power supply type remotely, preferably with a simple command-line tool? [more inside]
posted by littlegreenlights on May 30, 2007 - 5 answers

Calling electricians: can I use one of those "battery chargers" they sell at Auto Zone to power a small appliance that needs 12V? [more inside]
posted by hodyoaten on May 26, 2007 - 13 answers

PC troubleshooting help: Is it the motherboard or the power supply? [more inside]
posted by SteveInMaine on Apr 5, 2007 - 6 answers

When installing a power supply does the second fan/grill that is inside the case (not the 'back' power supply fan) face up or down? [more inside]
posted by Satapher on Mar 14, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me fit an NZ power supply to an American PlayStation [more inside]
posted by Paragon on Jan 15, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me diagnose my recent computer woes--a tale of rhythmic lag pulses, involuntary reboots, and sporadic "No Signal" messages from the monitor. [more inside]
posted by Satapher on Sep 4, 2006 - 8 answers

Dell power issues (no exploding battery, thankfully): My plugged-in and charged Dell 8600 laptop recently stopped charging and the machine switched to battery power... [more inside]
posted by timnyc on Aug 17, 2006 - 6 answers

My computer's power supply is dying. I want to get the right replacement, and install it correctly. [more inside]
posted by cmyk on Aug 4, 2006 - 14 answers

My computer has developed a mind of its own and shuts down when it feels like it! [more inside]
posted by squeak on Jul 31, 2006 - 14 answers

My power supply is whining, but I'm okay with that. Do I really need to buy a new one? [more inside]
posted by Drunken_munky on Jul 16, 2006 - 13 answers

My computer occasionally locks up, and sometimes completely fails to boot when I press the power button. Linux's "sensors" reports out-of-range voltage values. [more inside]
posted by bkudria on Feb 6, 2006 - 6 answers

Did I fry my computer permanently? [MI] [more inside]
posted by sour cream on Jul 17, 2005 - 10 answers

[DeadComputerFilter] I just moved, and as is customary, my PC moved in a separate trip, re-boxed in its original container, and generally cared for better than even myself. Now, I plug it in, turn it on... well, almost. It just doesn't come on anymore. [more inside]
posted by ChrisR on Jul 9, 2005 - 6 answers

How bad is it to (temporarily) keep using a computer power supply in which both fans have died? [+] [more inside]
posted by Who_Am_I on Feb 8, 2005 - 9 answers

My computer has a sudden inexplicable inability to initiate.

That is, it was working fine, now it won't boot. AOpen AX4SPE Max II motherboard, P4 3.2 GHz, WinXP. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van on Jan 3, 2005 - 9 answers

Power supply going? My desktop makes noises that sound like the fan speeds up then slows down. Sometimes as often as 3 times in a minute. I tried switching wall outlets, still with the same surge protector, though. Nothing else plugged in to that surge protector seems to waiver. The desktop is about 2.5 years old, used all day everyday. Is it the power supply? and if so, how difficult is replacing it, and would I have to re install a bunch of shit?
posted by yoga on Dec 13, 2004 - 15 answers

My PC resets whenever I boot from power-off state. [MI] [more inside]
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Dec 6, 2004 - 16 answers

ElectronicsFilter : I've got a knackered power supply in my hands. I need to replace it, but I'm having a hell of a time. Any help would be appriciated. [MI] [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Oct 13, 2004 - 0 answers

So I have an iBook G4, and the power cord has two components -- the cord itself, one end of which connects to the computer and the other end of which connects to the transformer, and a detachable piece that contains the two prongs that actually interface with my power outlet. The power cord has been failing to maintain a connection with the wall so I ordered a new one, under warrantly. They only sent the transformer piece, meaning I had to reattach my old pronged piece and, lo and behold: Still not working. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by blueshammer on Aug 19, 2004 - 7 answers

Can I give an older motherboard a second chance? The long story is inside. [more inside]
posted by dual_action on Aug 8, 2004 - 2 answers

Bought a LinkSys wireless router in the States. Plugged it in in Europe without checking the voltage. Sizzle, sizzle pop, "hey's what's that smell?" No universal power adapter. Help! (More inside.) [more inside]
posted by fooljay on Jul 19, 2004 - 15 answers

I was going to post in my original posts regarding my stupid HP computer but they have been archived. Has anybody ever heard of a computer having "too much" power? We resolved the problem to a power supply issue but now I'm being told that the new power supply I purchased was too much for the motherboard.

True? False? Wishful thinking?
posted by ajpresto on Jun 19, 2004 - 7 answers

Help! One of my computers won't turn on. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by jdroth on May 25, 2004 - 8 answers

My SO's computer has seen better days; It won't turn on anymore. I think it's the motherboard/BIOS that's fried. [more inside]
posted by soplerfo on Apr 13, 2004 - 6 answers

Computer Power Supplies: Why are they suddenly offering so much wattage? [more inside]
posted by RavinDave on Apr 13, 2004 - 18 answers

I think my PC's power supply might be acting up. What are your thoughts? [more inside]
posted by John Shaft on Apr 4, 2004 - 13 answers