I bought an HP a1224n about two years ago. Not much has changed in this thing since I bought it, except I swapped out the burner a year ago, and that's it.

About three weeks ago, we had a lightning storm (hey, it's Illinois) and the next morning, the old HP would not turn on. Even though it's hooked up to a (cheap and cheesy) surge protector, I assumed the storm had somehow fried the power supply. I replaced the PSU with a brand new model, a StarTech 300 watt. Computer worked like a dream.

Fast forward to now, approximately two weeks later. I come home from work and my wife tells me the computer is not working again. Seems my four year LOCKED it up in the middle of playing Lightning McQueen. The computer sat locked up for a while (ten minutes, one hour....who knows) when it all of a sudden shut down. . It hasn't spoken to me again since.

I've pulled open the case and I'm sitting here next to it. I have checked and rechecked every CONNECTION possible, pulled each ram board individually, etc. etc. Anyway, the only thing I get in RESPONSE when I plug it back into the wall socket is about a 1/4 turn from the processer heat sink fan, and that's it. Believe me, I've checked the power switch, its connection, so forth and so on.

Okay, here's where I need you folks....I just can't believe the coincidence that this power supply went bad. And we did not have another storm, which now I don't think caused the problem in the first place (sorry Mr. Lightning, my bad).

I have no problems sending this PSU back and getting a fresh one, but should I assume that it too, will end up in PSU heaven? Is it possible I have a larger motherboard issue?

Talk to me. Thanks.Lightning will wreak havoc on a computer...

Yes there is the strong possibility that you may have damaged something else.

Take a close look at the motherboard to see if there are any swollen or damaged capacitors.  If so...time for a new motherboard.  If not, hopefully you can try another PSU and this may fix the problem.

One more thing...don't rely on a surge protector to prevent damage to a computer from a direct hit by lightning.  They're not made for that.  During a lightning storm...always unplug your computer from its electrical power source and disconnect any phone or cable CONNECTIONS.  Yes...lightning can travel through these as WELL.Thanks for the feedback.

There are no damaged capacitors apparent. Since the first PSU replacement worked fine, and there was no indication of lightning activity the second time, it seems to me that lightning was not the culprit.

I will replace the PSU, but what's to say it won't fail again in two weeks? I guess what my additional question means is, is it even technically possible that there is an internal or external force that is frying the PSU that perhaps I should look at? Would the previous PSU have worked if I was faced with a blown capacitor?

Thanks.There is always the possibility of a bad new PSU.

Maybe you had the'street1' luck. I am famous for
getting the bad apple from the barrel when I buy
a new part.I just finished putting in a new PSU. It works fine. Except that my PCI video card fried itself when I plugged it in. I called Antec and they said there must have been something wrong with the video card. It was, in fact, a virtually brand new EGA GeForce 6200 (I believe).

That video card was not in when the first PSU failed. Interesting.

Anyway, I'm using the onboard video (a whopping 8MB) chip which is doing the trick for now. I suppose I'll have to contact EGA and tell them....well, I don't know what I'm going to tell them, but I'll give it a shot.

It was a PCI video card, not a PCI-E. Nothing was connected to it.

I'll keep you posted about the power supply issue.Wow...when it rains, it pours, huh?

Sorry to hear about hte video card.  Hopefully you can get a replacement at no or minimal cost.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope your new PSU doesn't cause you any more issues.What PSU's are you buying ? ?patio...

This is the first one he purchased as a replacement for the first one:  a StarTech 300 wattThere are $20.00 StarTech's and a same name Star Tech for $180.00 .....this is why i asked.