[Pc_Support] using DVD drive shuts down computer

[Justin M. Keyes]

On 9/12/06, Paul M Foster <paulf at quillandmouse.com> wrote:
> 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.

I have no idea...

I guess I will find out if the DVD player is the problem, once I hook
up a brand new power supply...

Thanks for your response.

-- 
Justin M. Keyes