Can a PSU blow when the PC isn't on?

[SlashBucket]

Hi all, and thanks in advance for any help.

 

All of this being locked indoors is making me want to try and get my old PC working, but I'm a bit scared I am going to blow some bits if I turn it on. Essentially, my PC had been off and unplugged for some time, then my other half plugged it in and apparently heard a loud pop. Being a typical (bit of an arse) male, I queried whether it was possible it was just the speakers to which she confirmed she knows the difference between speakers popping and something IN the PC.

 

Now, I'm not saying I don't believe her haha, but to me (knowing very little about computer building) it seems strange for the PSU to blow when the PC isn't even switched on. Is this possible/likely? And I guess, finally, if it DID blow just from being plugged in, do I stand to lose anything from plugging it back in and turning it on to see? I assume if it has already blown it just won't turn the PC on, but I don't want to be wrong and end up cooking other parts inside my PC which didn't cook the first time round.

 

Thanks all for any information and help.

[5x5]

What model is it? A decen tunit won't die like that. A cheapo can catch fire

[SlashBucket]

It is a Trust Powermaster 570Watt dual fan. I assume it was fairly good at the time as it has lasted a long old time up until this point, but I guess old age could equally take it out.

[manikyath]

some units have a tendency to "pop" when you plug the cord in.

 

that said, perform the sniff test, if nothing smells burned, nothing blew up.

[ShortRouter]

This happened to me when I was working at a PC repair service shop. I plugged the power cord into the PSU and it made PENG and the PSU was dead. I guess it's the "magic touch" some people have My boss didn't want to believe me but I know that PSU has worked before, I only relocated the PC and maybe built up enough static to short something. 

[GreyestGoat]

20 minutes ago, SlashBucket said:

It is a Trust Powermaster 570Watt dual fan. I assume it was fairly good at the time as it has lasted a long old time up until this point, but I guess old age could equally take it out.

Sounds likea PSU you should'nt trust.

[jaslion]

6 minutes ago, SlashBucket said:

It is a Trust Powermaster 570Watt dual fan. I assume it was fairly good at the time as it has lasted a long old time up until this point, but I guess old age could equally take it out.

I remember those from a while back. Very low quality units hopefully it didn't take anything with it.

[SlashBucket]

I'm guessing from the recent comments that the idea of turning it on to check....is a bad one lol?

[Guest]

5 hours ago, SlashBucket said:

Hi all, and thanks in advance for any help.

 

All of this being locked indoors is making me want to try and get my old PC working, but I'm a bit scared I am going to blow some bits if I turn it on. Essentially, my PC had been off and unplugged for some time, then my other half plugged it in and apparently heard a loud pop. Being a typical (bit of an arse) male, I queried whether it was possible it was just the speakers to which she confirmed she knows the difference between speakers popping and something IN the PC.

 

Now, I'm not saying I don't believe her haha, but to me (knowing very little about computer building) it seems strange for the PSU to blow when the PC isn't even switched on. Is this possible/likely? And I guess, finally, if it DID blow just from being plugged in, do I stand to lose anything from plugging it back in and turning it on to see? I assume if it has already blown it just won't turn the PC on, but I don't want to be wrong and end up cooking other parts inside my PC which didn't cook the first time round.

 

Thanks all for any information and help.

A PSU, as long as it's plugged in, is still "on".  There's a 5 Volt Standby Rail that's always live.  Provides power to your CMOS, RAM (so it can store info during sleep and hibernation) and some USB ports that support wake functions.  So, yes.  It's possible an "off" PC can still have a PSU blow up.

4 hours ago, SlashBucket said:

It is a Trust Powermaster 570Watt dual fan. I assume it was fairly good at the time as it has lasted a long old time up until this point, but I guess old age could equally take it out.

I would not trust a "Trust" PSU.