could the power supply not be grounding the case somehow? i go to plug in a usb keychain or something and when the metal touches it just restarts the computer. it's plugged up to a battery backup system... could that be messed up and not grounding properly? or just psu not grounding?

i'm confused as i've never seen this before.

1/21/2008 10:21:31 PM

Check your case grounding. i.e. any exterior metal grounding to the interior superstructure

My Reference:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=805677

Another Idea:
http://www.wirelessforums.org/alt-comp-hardware/computer-reboots-when-metallic-object-touch-case-17549.html

Quote :

"Years ago I traced a winter time pc rebooting problem to a cheap pc power supply. That power supply used a grounded cord, but inside the box I found the manufacturer failed to connect the ground wire to anything (unbelievably bad, but true). I strongly suspect you have found a grounding problem. Bad grounding could result from a bad power cord, bad power supply, faulty UPS, faulty wall outlet, and more. Ask a friend with a Multimeter (Volt/Ohm meter) to test the electrical ground path of the computer case and the system board to the AC outlet ground lug. Tighten loose motherboard screws too (often at least one will be metal, screwing into a metal stud on the case). "

1/21/2008 10:52:12 PM

does the computer ever really lose power? or does it just restart?

1/21/2008 11:02:31 PM

just reboot

also, 2 drives have failed in this pc (stopped spinning completely, no power at all)

i'll take the UPS out of the equation and see if it still does it. if so, i'll replace the PSU with a spare i have. if that doesn't do it, it's gotta be the mb or reset switch picking up interference or something

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 12:34 AM. Reason : ]

1/22/2008 12:28:18 AM

what kind of psu is it?

check to make sure the motherboard and screws are grounded

most signs point to yes considering how quickly each died

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 12:31 AM. Reason : .]

1/22/2008 12:30:48 AM

enermax 465 watt

Quote :

"check to make sure the motherboard and screws are grounded"

mb is screwed in tight with metal screws and are all touching the case

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 12:34 AM. Reason : ]

1/22/2008 12:34:28 AM

stupid question, but i'm assuming you're using the motherboard standoffs?

1/22/2008 12:31:47 PM

You'd about have to use the standoffs - otherwise how are you getting your I/O ports to line up in the back? Wouldn't your graphics card be in at an angle as well?

1/22/2008 12:38:47 PM

I suppose it could depend on the case?

Just curious. I'm sure he's using them

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 12:41 PM. Reason : ]

1/22/2008 12:40:25 PM

I've seen this before, never found the source, but grounding was always my guess.

1/22/2008 1:38:39 PM

the motherboard is touching metal screw holders that is touching the metal case that is touching the metal power supply.

i'm using the exact same case setup in another pc and that pc has no problem.

1/22/2008 1:43:17 PM

would using those wrist straps while plugging in the usbkey eliminate that variable?

1/22/2008 1:51:06 PM

What if you try plugging it in to a different outlet on the wall?

1/22/2008 1:52:44 PM

^that might be the case where the outlet isn't grounded properly

or how about tie a ground wire from the case to something grounded

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 2:02 PM. Reason : .,]

1/22/2008 2:02:06 PM

plugged it in a different outlet and can't reproduce it. doesn't mean it's fixed, but i'll keep trying to break it

1/22/2008 8:36:33 PM

i think it was the power supply. put in an earthwatts and been up a week without the previous problems.

2/7/2008 8:27:45 AM