Getting your computer nuked by a ground loop.

[JadussD]

I'm almost positive that a ground loop is what took out my best computer, and why it won't start. Apparently, there was an open ground on the outlet I was using. Does anyone have any experience with ground loops and the havoc they can wreak? I mean, is it likely that everything is fucked on the computer? All of the components were newer (ie, PC3200 RAM, socket 939 motherboard, SATA harddrive) so I can't swap stuff in and out of that box to test it, as I don't have compatible stuff.
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[Mikey]

> I mean, is it likely that everything is fucked on the
> computer?

First off, you should try replacing the power source unit, as that's usually the first thing to go during power surges and electrical problems. I've never had a CPU or RAM module die as a result of such a problem, so you should leave those alone for now, though I have had motherboards and power source units die. I'd say there's about a 50/50 chance that it's either the PSU or the motherboard.
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[king killa]

do you have house-insurance? That should cover it.
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[SwampGas]

A ground loop doesn't kill off circuitry, especially if your ground was open...which means there CAN'T be a ground loop since there is no ground. The only thing a ground does is put an electrical connection between the case of your pc to the ground outside incase something shorts out...the electricity will go somewhere else instead of through you.

There are rare cases where the house is wired incorrectly and a potential develops on the ground line...in which case transients could enter through the ground. But this is not the case because your ground is open.
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[JadussD]

> There are rare cases where the house is wired incorrectly
> and a potential develops on the ground line...in which case
> transients could enter through the ground. But this is not
> the case because your ground is open.

I tested the outlets, and the dude who lived in this house before us wired 5 out of 6 of the outlets incorrectly in the basement. I went and tested the outlets when I touched a metal part of my Aiwa stereo system (well, actually a copper converter from a 1/4" headphone jack to a 1/8" headphone jack) and got a steady, mild electric shock which crept from my finger to my wrist rapidly. I quickly switched the red button on my power strip to "off" and bought an outlet tester. The outlet says "open ground", so I switched everything to a different outlet that tested fine. My computer, however, was fucked since over a month ago. An interesting thing was also occuring right before...I had my TV, a stereo, and an MS sidewinder hooked up in various ways to my box which is now nuked. Whenever I'd put my sidewinder on top of the TV when it was on, and my finger was touching the metal part on the back, I'd get an electric shock. Just a mild one, more like a static shock. This disturbed me, but idiotically I didn't investigate further.
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[SwampGas]

If you have an open ground, you need to get an electrician in there to fix it ASAP. Spending $100 for a fix or dying....tough choice, eh? <img src=smilies/eek13.gif>
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[JadussD]

> If you have an open ground, you need to get an electrician
> in there to fix it ASAP. Spending $100 for a fix or
> dying....tough choice, eh?

I unplugged it and found an outlet that works fine, and plugged the power strip into there...but yeah, I recognize the fact that it seems like I could have been electrocuted on multiple occasions...ESPECIALLY since I had a guitar + amplifier plugged into that outlet :o
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[pipes]

Your house is going to burn down!
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