Case shorting out PSU, but PSU not resetting

HZA360

October 15, 2012 12:14:17 PM

Hi,

Just under a month ago I bought a whole new computer, besides my hard drive and graphics card. I installed all the parts in the Corsair Carbide 300R case, which has raised screwholes that should apparently remove the need for standoff's, but the board would not post and the "CPU LED" lit up, indicating a CPU issue. To cut a long story short, over the following 6 weeks, I had individually sent in the motherboard, CPU, RAM and powersupply but apparently all my components were working correctly.

I soon found that my case had been shorting out my motherboard, which in turn caused my power supply to fail. However, when I sent my power supply back, they reported that it was fine and working. As a "quick-fix" for my case shorting problem (and because I didn't have any washers), I put electrical tape over the screwholes and forced the screws through the tape. This worked successfully when I reinstalled the power supply, and I saw my computer boot up for the first time inside the case. However, I had to leave for 3 days, and when I returned, The board seemed to have shorted again.

I was told that after a power supply is tripped, it usually takes a moment before it will work again up to half an hour even. I have waited days, but my power supply still does not work, among having tried other power supplies that tripped while I was trying to find the issue.

Any ideas why my power supplies aren't continuing to work? I know if I send it in again, I will be told that its functioning normally, and would rather be able to fix it from home. I'm sure wattage isn't the issue, as I've tried an OCZ 550w, and two Corsair's: 600w and 650w.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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mbarnes86

October 15, 2012 12:50:56 PM

Hi

are you sure you do not need brass standoff pins ?

You only put them in where they match holes in the motherboard.

Most holes on the motherboard have conductive rings round the hole on both sides.
These conductive rings are for providing ground connection between case & motherboard (no insulating washers under screws to be fitted)

If there is no conductive ring you either use plastic standoff or insulating washers both sides

If you rely on the bumps on the base they will not match the mounting holes on the motherboard and cause shorting.

You would also have difficulty in fitting a graphics card due to height difference

regards

Mike Barnes

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HZA360

October 15, 2012 1:05:27 PM

Hi Mike, Thanks for the reply

My motherboard is Micro ATX, and there are no screw holes on the case that aren't raised. Using standoff's in the already raised screw holes would mean the motherboard would be raised, and the ports would then not match the back of the case.

The electrical tape over the screw holes seems to work for a day, but now it seems to be shorting out again. I'm wondering if washers would have a different result.

But before I can try anything else, my PSU needs to be working again... Even if I set my components up outside the case, it still doesn't work. Any ideas?

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chesteracorgi

Power supply Expert

October 15, 2012 1:09:13 PM

I'd return the Carbide 300R as it should not be shorting out the system. If is is not under warranty, then I'd junk it and spring for a new case.

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HZA360

October 15, 2012 1:27:39 PM

I think your right about replacing the case, it's shorted out 4 different power supplies now, not worth keeping around. But even then, I really need my power supply to be working again... has anyone seen anything like this before? I'm not sure why it would stop working for days after being shorted out.

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