Just noticed something odd about my power supply.

[SpencerH]

This seems very strange to me, a 145W PS in a 3 year old PC. Hell, I have a couple of old AT cases with 250W supplies in em.

[The Mad Monk]

The best explanation I can come up with is, Packard Bell.

[Dis]

I made the mistake of buying a Packard Bell in 1995. Took a little bit of work to upgrade, but I managed. It was originally a P66.

[:) Smiley]

hmm, my computer is hooked up to a UPS, though none of the outlets in the room are grounded, so I ran a wire to the radiator. So far we've never turned on the radiator and don't plan on it either.

[Fve Crathva]

Dust in the case is bad because it can act as both a heat insulator and an electrical conductor. Putting a filter in may be wise in a very dusty area, but keep in mind that it impedes airflow and you'll have to clean it out regularly. A couple layers of wire mesh is okay because it will filter out the big stuff but leave your airflow comparatively intact--however, it misses the insidious little particles (or rather, vice versa). The best solution is to keep dust away from the case in the first place. Another trick is to have positive pressure inside the case--have more air blowing in than blowing out--so that all the little holes leak air instead of suck in air (and dust).

A UPS is important even in places without regular blackouts. You can think of the power flow like a river. You need to treat the water before it's fit for consumption. Power companies give out power that's not clean, like the river. You need to clean the power before it's fit for your computer to consume. Some quality power supplies take steps to pass on clean power, but a good UPS is still important.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I just noticed a capacitor lying in the bottom of my case...

SP

[Urban Ranger]

That only applies to online UPS, not standby UPS, though.

[notyoueither]

NEC bought Packard Bell.

[The Mad Monk]

Apparently, that did help the quality.

UR, I have -- er, had an online UPS (it was a TripLite). They're fairly easy to get, and not much more expensive then the basic battery-in-a-box.

SP, did you figure out where that capacitor came from?

[Fve Crathva]

Yeah, it came from my video card. When I shipped my computer home from Uni, the 3.5" drive bay came loose and knocked around a bunch of stuff. No vital damage, but I guess it knocked that capacitor loose (and dented the neighbouring capacitor), and the capacitor finally fell off (it was stuck to the solder rather than stuck in the solder). I've soldered it back on, and it hasn't blown up yet.

SP

[notyoueither]

Operative term is yet...

[Fve Crathva]

Yes, meaning that it still hasn't blown up, so I'm happy.

SP

[:) Smiley]

Wait, so you were able to operate your comp minus that capacitor?

[The Mad Monk]

I believe he was posting from it when he spotted the errent capacitor.

[Fve Crathva]

So, indeed.

SP