Walk me through changing my PSU fan
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Walk me through changing my PSU fan
I've contributed and looked at many threads about changing out the fan in the PSU both here and Ars, and the time has come to do mine. Its a pretty loud Liteon server 300W (the one from directron) and i want to quiet it down because its the loudest thing in my case.
So what should i do? I left the machine unplugged for a week (or so i thought - when i came back it was running - my roommate grrr). Is unplugging it and switching it on once enough to protect me?
Here's to hoping i won't have to do anything other than a straight swap.
Thanks
So what should i do? I left the machine unplugged for a week (or so i thought - when i came back it was running - my roommate grrr). Is unplugging it and switching it on once enough to protect me?
Here's to hoping i won't have to do anything other than a straight swap.
Thanks
I've been reading many threads about PSU moding too, and some people suggest unplugging the PSU and waiting 20mn, others an hour, other a whole day. You decide
You might find this thread interesting.
You might find this thread interesting.
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If you are handy and reasonably coordinated, there is little risk of any real danger if the PSU is not connected to AC. Just don't touch anything. I've been inside dozens of PSUs and literally touched absolutely nothing except the fan and insulated parts. It's not that hard to do.
One other way to drain the PSU capacitors, I think, is to simply pull the AC plug out while the PC is still running -- I press the power button in Windows XP, then before the PC is shut down, pull the AC cord out. Pressing power on again (with AC unplugged) doesn't spin up the PSU fan for me. PC usually boots up fine w/o error messages afterwards.
One other way to drain the PSU capacitors, I think, is to simply pull the AC plug out while the PC is still running -- I press the power button in Windows XP, then before the PC is shut down, pull the AC cord out. Pressing power on again (with AC unplugged) doesn't spin up the PSU fan for me. PC usually boots up fine w/o error messages afterwards.
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Well, G4 Mac's dont, but I think they're an exception. On a Mac motherboard you often have to reset the MB (using a switch detailed in a tech note for each model), if you do the cap draingin on a PSU by turning it on with no power cord.
However, on a PC I've also done it countless of times and never had any problems on mobos I've used.
Couple of additional things worth noting, even if a bit academic:
- You're dealing with high voltages and (if using live connection) hazardous frequencies. 50/60Hz is very likely to put your heart into a cardiac arrest (instead of stopping it). Medical equipment is required to get your heart out of cardiac arrest whereas a stopped heart may be revived by basic CPR. So, it is dangerous.
- When working with high voltage devices, you should preferably work with one hand only (and not touch conductives with the other), in order to try and avoid a path for voltage to travel from one hand through your heart to another hand.
- If you are unsure, please don't do it. If you work with a live connected PSU make sure there's somebody around to call the medics when you get jolted
Be careful people, we don't want to lose any of you to the silentPC hobby.
regards,
Halcyon
However, on a PC I've also done it countless of times and never had any problems on mobos I've used.
Couple of additional things worth noting, even if a bit academic:
- You're dealing with high voltages and (if using live connection) hazardous frequencies. 50/60Hz is very likely to put your heart into a cardiac arrest (instead of stopping it). Medical equipment is required to get your heart out of cardiac arrest whereas a stopped heart may be revived by basic CPR. So, it is dangerous.
- When working with high voltage devices, you should preferably work with one hand only (and not touch conductives with the other), in order to try and avoid a path for voltage to travel from one hand through your heart to another hand.
- If you are unsure, please don't do it. If you work with a live connected PSU make sure there's somebody around to call the medics when you get jolted
Be careful people, we don't want to lose any of you to the silentPC hobby.
regards,
Halcyon