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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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 Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:50 am Post subject: Smoked a Desktop Power Supply |
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I just brought my new Gateway computer back from America. I was so excited to plug it in and get it running here in Korea. I plugged it in : bang, smoke. Maybe it is just a fuse, but seemed like a capacitor blowing. Maybe I need a whole new power supply (one that works for 230V). Gateway doesn't have a repair shop here in Korea. Any recommendation where I can get a new power supply installed for my Gateway PC.
btw, the power supply model is DPS 330 AB - 15A. It seems common enough and costs about $20.
I guess I can take it out and wonder around Yongsan mart like a lost foreigner. If anyone has a better suggestion (specific repair shop) I appreciate it.
Thanks, Drew |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Smoked a Desktop Power Supply |
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| Drew345 wrote: |
I just brought my new Gateway computer back from America. I was so excited to plug it in and get it running here in Korea. I plugged it in : bang, smoke. Maybe it is just a fuse, but seemed like a capacitor blowing. Maybe I need a whole new power supply (one that works for 230V). Gateway doesn't have a repair shop here in Korea. Any recommendation where I can get a new power supply installed for my Gateway PC.
btw, the power supply model is DPS 330 AB - 15A. It seems common enough and costs about $20.
I guess I can take it out and wonder around Yongsan mart like a lost foreigner. If anyone has a better suggestion (specific repair shop) I appreciate it.
Thanks, Drew |
Any computer shop can install a PS for you. It only takes about 15 minutes. |
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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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I got the power supply out so now the task doesn't look as bad as it did at 1:00 last night (after 15 hour plane ride).
I'll probably take it to Yongsan today and look for ra eplacement. I rather dread walking around as lost waygook with that 'can you help me' look in my eyes; which is why I bought the thing in America anyway. Any more helpful advice for where to go to find same models for power supplies would be appreciated. This model is used in Gateway and eMachines.
Thanks, Drew |
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Thunndarr
Joined: 30 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Drew345 wrote: |
I got the power supply out so now the task doesn't look as bad as it did at 1:00 last night (after 15 hour plane ride).
I'll probably take it to Yongsan today and look for ra eplacement. I rather dread walking around as lost waygook with that 'can you help me' look in my eyes; which is why I bought the thing in America anyway. Any more helpful advice for where to go to find same models for power supplies would be appreciated. This model is used in Gateway and eMachines.
Thanks, Drew |
Power supplies, as far as I know, are more or less universal. Just make sure you get one that has a decent wattage. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Drew345 wrote: |
I got the power supply out so now the task doesn't look as bad as it did at 1:00 last night (after 15 hour plane ride).
I'll probably take it to Yongsan today and look for ra eplacement. I rather dread walking around as lost waygook with that 'can you help me' look in my eyes; which is why I bought the thing in America anyway. Any more helpful advice for where to go to find same models for power supplies would be appreciated. This model is used in Gateway and eMachines.
Thanks, Drew |
a) Get off the train at Yongsan station. Walk out the front door. Walk into the door of the i'park mall and go UP the escalator to about the 7th-9th floor - to the parts places. Walk up to the first counter you see and say you want a new PS just like the one you have in your hand.
They will say yup, scurry away to the storeroom, get one, bring it back and quote you a price close to what you would expect back home.
b) Alternatively, put it in a bag and wander around for an hour. Lots of eye candy for techno guys there. THEN buy it from any of the parts counters you have wandered past in the last hour.
It won't be identical (make and model) because the one they sell you will be rated for 240v. It will work just fine otherwise. (same physical dimensions and output). Take it home, plug it into your case and away you go.
This would be a good read as well.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4367 |
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Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Buying a PSU isn't so scary, especially seeing as the word is the same in both languages. Write it on a piece of paper - "300w. PSU" - and you will have no worries.
A no-namer will cost about 20,000 ~ 30,000. |
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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for the advice. I'll go to Yongsan techno mart today (hope not closed for Chuseok). Sorry about seeming so needy. It just seems that every lettle task here in Seoul turns from a molehill into a mountain really fast.
Thanks, Drew |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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If I were you, I'd take the old one along, as ttompatz suggests. No need to worry about language issues - just point to the old one and say: "boom!"
Finding a replacement shouldn't be a problem - see if you can find Sunin Plaza, though that might be asking a lot on jetlag. And yeah, Chusok Sunday might cause inconvenience on the mission.
20,000w would be on the high side - should cost less than that.
So what happened, anyway? Forget to flick that voltage switch on the back?  Hope it didn't take out anything else in the system. |
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Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:49 am Post subject: |
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| The Lemon wrote: |
| - just point to the old one and say: "boom!" |
| The Lemon wrote: |
So what happened, anyway? Forget to flick that voltage switch on the back? Hope it didn't take out anything else in the system. |
Yeah, my thinking. Hopefully, it the cookout ended at the PSU. |
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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:06 am Post subject: Trip Summary |
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All finished and up and running!
This ended up being not so bad. I went to the upper floors of Yongsan Station.
First shop: "Boss not here, I'll call and check. Yes, have 350 W somewhere."
Second Shop: Pulls out PS with different size and different connectors. Buyer Beware!
Third shop: Salesman pulls out very similar 300 W power supply. Tests mine to show it don't work no more. Tests his to show it works. Good Service makes the sale!
The third shop was between Shinyongsan station and Sunin plaza just before the tunnel. Seemed to be many PS shop (most closed).
Plugged it in my machine, and everything works fine. Now I have a hot new GT5220, AMD Athlon 64 dual-core 3800+ 2GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, 16X DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 all for $540 (after 40 rebate).
Yes, I forgot to flip the switch before plugging it in. But in my defense the Gateway tower is built over the switch and doesn't even show it. The power supply was switchable, but you must open up the machine and take out the power supply to flip the switch. In America people just don't consider that there is a 'rest of the world' out there.
Thanks, Drew |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| glad to see you are up and running. |
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