[Pc_Support] using DVD drive shuts down computer

[Paul M Foster]

Justin M. Keyes wrote:
> Hi Friends,
> 
> Whenever I try to use the DVD+/-RW drive [1], the computer turns off
> immediately. I suspect it is a power supply [2] problem, but read on
> please...
> 
> To test, I left a CD in the drive so that it would spin up when I
> tried to boot. I disconnected the hard drive, the graphics card, and
> the floppy. So, the power supply is only powering the DVD and the
> motherboard. Booted the computer, and when the DVD spins up the
> computer turns off. Same result when I tried different Molex
> connectors with the DVD drive.
> 
> Why would the power supply suddenly start hating the DVD drive? Could
> the DVD drive itself have messed up the power supply somehow?
> 
> I replaced the power supply with an old Antec power supply, and
> everything ran OK, however, when I used the DVD drive, the Antec
> started making weird crackling/static noise, so I disconnected the DVD
> drive for fear of ruining another power supply. The Antec ps still
> makes "static" sounds, but not as bad as when it was using that DVD
> drive.
> 
> Is it possible for the DVD drive to harm the power supply?
> 
> Thanks very much...
> 
> [1] LG 16X DVD±R E-IDE/ATAPI Model GSA-4167B
> 
> [2] COOLMAX CX-400B ATX v2.01 400W:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817159023
> 

I would guess that the DVD drive has some sort of short in it. Perhaps 
not a dead short, but one with sufficiently low resistance to overload a 
power supply. You'd think it would blow the fuse in the power supply, 
but maybe the current is just a bit less than necessary to blow the 
fuse. Erm... do your power supplies actually have fuses in them, or just 
circuitry that shuts them down? All the power supplies I've had open had 
fuses soldered into them.

Anyway....

-- 
Paul M. Foster