so, we're putting in new cabinets in our dining room and installing a built-in desk...
our computer is still in our old desk, but it's just pulled out from the wall the distance of the cabinets...nothing has changed or been rewired or touched. the new built-in isn't finished yet.
so lastnight i plugged in our computer (plugged in the surge protector to the exact same wall outlet) to do some work and the instant i did the lights in the house on that circuit flickered and i heard a fairly loud *POP* sound...
my wife turned and asked , "what was that?"
nothing was on fire, and i really couldn't tell where the sound came from.
i crawled over our our cabinets to get to the old desk to start the computer and...nothing.
power switch didn't do squat.
i thought maybe i didn't turn on the surge strip, but it was on, the desk lamp works and the screen goes on, but the computer no workie.
i unplugged everything from the computer and checked all teh connections.
nothing was half plugged in or stretched. everything was as it was before.
i pulled the power plug and pulled out the computer...
there's nothing visibly wrong, but i could smell the faint smell of electrical in the fan outlet of the power supply.
hopefully it was just the powersupply going...but the worst thing possible would be if it surged the whole computer and we lost everything!
I have so many clients & personal stuff on there.
3+ years worth of work tanked would make me & the wife cry!
anyone know how to check the powersupply before i write this thing off or take it to a PC shop???

 

You'd need to find a pinout for your PS, grab a multimeter, and go to work. Check all the requisite connections, and see if you're getting power. Your best bet would be to just get a new PS from CompUSA/Fry's, and try it.

 

its worth the $15 to just go buy a new one ...

 

Kid is right, try the new power supply, chances are that is your culprit...

Your data is most likely OK, But if you are that worried about it, I would recommend backing it up once in a while. I use a 512 meg usb thumb drive, cost about $40 now.

There are tons of nerds here who can help you if the ish really hits the fan, I work for friends on a 2 BAPH basis (Bass ales per hour).

Godspeed!

 

Also, once you get your PC working again you might want to implement a regular file backup procedure.

 

translation: pr0n.











Sorry, not trying to make fun of your situation... just trying to keep things light.