Power adapter connected backwards (upside down).
Power adapter connected backwards (upside down).
My friend needed assistance with his computer. As I began taking it apart, I noticed his motherboard had a 4-pin EATX power connector upside down. I’m not sure how he managed that. The system won’t turn on at all. Could this cause a short circuit, and how severe is the damage overall? He mentioned hearing an unusual noise from the power supply when trying to power it up.
The sound seemed to happen only once he pressed the power button on the chassis. It’s unclear if the PSU managed the short circuit. I’m not keen on testing it. If the PSU protection activated, would the components still get damaged?
If you're fortunate and the PSU's short circuit protection activates correctly each time, any harm would be minimal. In the worst case, it might damage the 4-pin socket and possibly the plug, while the PSU itself would stop functioning. I’m skeptical about any damage to the CPU or other components besides the motherboard, since a shorting situation doesn’t route current through the entire board like incorrect power connections would. My PSU produces a click sound when it powers on, which seems to be from the NTC thermistor. I’m unsure what kind of noise it makes, but as long as it isn’t a spark, a burst, or a sudden discharge (like an exploding IC or capacitor), it shouldn’t be an issue.