Strange iie problem

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Strange iie problem

Hey guys.

Got a strange problem with my iie.

The power supply has got this strange sweet smell coming out of it.

I thought it was the power supply because when I try to play this game, every disk gets errors, usually the same error at the same sector.

If I try a new disk, the same thing happens.

And the amount of files on the disk always gets cut by 2/3.

I measured the 12v line with a digital multimeter. The voltage would go up from 2 volts and get to 12v about 7 seconds later. then the meter would max out at times...

I thought that the 12v line should always be constant.

I have narrowed the problem. It's NOT the disks or disk drives, because I did the same thing with another iie with the same disk drives and the problem goes away.

What do you guys think?

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Re: Strange iie problem

Sounds like you hit it in one. Smile

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Re: Strange iie problem

12V line should be steady. Inside the power supply: I could guess some electrolytic capacitors leaked. Or some component that has enamel paint is almost, just almost, getting too hot.

I suspect a repair is needed. If you're not skilled at power supply circuitry testing and repair then don't mess with high voltage stuff.

Consider searching for a replacement supply.

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Re: Strange iie problem

12V line should be steady. Inside the power supply: I could guess some electrolytic capacitors leaked. Or some component that has enamel paint is almost, just almost, getting too hot.

I suspect a repair is needed. If you're not skilled at power supply circuitry testing and repair then don't mess with high voltage stuff.

Consider searching for a replacement supply.

Hello insanitor,

just besides the fact that the advice given to you from Keatah is the best you can get....
just another point to think about: with a damaged power supply you can even damage the entire mainboard and the inserted interfacecards too - including the attached diskdrives.....
using the supply instead of immediatly removing it - may result to enlargen the harms instead of reducing them....
such a supply should be examined - from the point it has been detected that a voltage runs above spedification - only in "secured testing conditions" - outside of the computer and not connected to a computer - unless the errors have been corrected.....
sincerely speedyG

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Re: Strange iie problem

Well, I got myself a brand new heavy duty higher amperage power supply, hooked it up, and loaded up that game and left the computer on for a couple of hours, then started playing that game for about 15 minutes which should have reproduced the problem.

So far, the iie works fine.

I will continue to play that game until I solve it, or until the problem re-appears.

And the smell is gone, BTW.

When I opened up the older power supply, I did not find any leaked electrolytic capacitors, but I did find what looks like a transistor with a huge heatsink on it, and the metal on top of it has been changed a bit by heat. Maybe the thing overheated.

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Re: Strange iie problem

pm sent

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Re: Strange iie problem

Replied to your pm.

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Re: Strange iie problem

Hello insanitor,
i have replied by email and attached related documents as PDF file.
pickup the stuff and happy debugging...
sincerely speedyG

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Re: Strange iie problem

I wish I could. I do not have enough knowledge.

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Re: Strange iie problem

Hello insanitor,
as i explained in my email: in general nearly 70% of fails at that kind of powersupply are caused by the C20.
But at the other point: if the Transistor Q1 has smell it might indicate overheating - this is for sure then a
result from a shortcut. Unfortunatly a electrolytic capacitor does not explode or start leaking immediatly.
It´s within a metal can and therefor it can startup before with internal shortcuts and later the spilling and leaking will occure after the acid has "eaten" the bottom of the metal can. If you want to be at the safe side and can´t examine each capacitor for correct condition, then it is best advice - to replace all of the electrolytic capacitors.
and besides you should view the larger "heavy load" resistors for damage ( look if they changed slightly color or turned to light brown color ).
sinderely speedyG

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