I was just building my new PC and accidentally dropped a screw into the power supply unit (PSU). I can see that people have faced similar issues, but my screw doesn't seem to want to come out. After shaking the PSU for about 30 minutes, there hasn't been any movement, and I'm almost certain it's inside since I watched it fall and checked the surrounding area. What's the best way to handle this? Just to note, this is a brand new PSU, it's unplugged, and has never been powered on, so it shouldn't be causing any issues... at least, I hope not! I've ordered a new PSU just in case it becomes necessary.
4 Answers
Firstly, don't open the PSU! Those capacitors can hold a serious charge, even when unplugged, and can cause some nasty shocks. If you're really set on getting that screw out, take the PSU outside, keep it unplugged for a while, and try shaking it some more. Just make sure not to touch any internal components if you decide to go that route. Better safe than sorry!
Just use caution! Don't jolt it too hard; casual shaking should be fine. Just don’t poke around in there.
If you ever do decide to open it up, just make sure you really understand how to safely handle it. Capacitors can be dangerous, so do some research first and let it discharge for a while before taking any action. But in your case, it might be magnetically stuck, so a strong magnet could help pull it out if you're careful!
Just be really careful with how close you get it! Better to try and get it out first without opening it.
That sounds clever! But isn’t that risky too?
The safest route is likely to just leave it alone for now. As long as it's not powered, it should be okay. You could always try locating it with a flashlight first before shaking. If you're still worried later, consider taking it to a pro to open it up, but that may void your warranty depending on the PSU.
Good call! Plus, who knows, it may be stuck in a part that won't cause any real issues.
I wouldn't open it unless you're really sure, the risk of shorting something is high!
Honestly, it might be best to consider the PSU a loss if you can't get the screw out. It's not worth the potential danger of leaving that screw in there and possibly causing shorts. Just replace it if it turns out to be stuck.
Yeah, sometimes it's just better to err on the side of caution. 100 bucks for a new PSU is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Ugh, that’s tough! I hate the idea of wasting money after just buying it.
So shaking it should work? I've heard people say that, but it sounds risky! Is there any safe way to do it?