to start off, this is kind of a continuation of my last post, which was in the motherboard section. I finally figured that it is my power supply that refuses to function properly, not my motherboard. the power supply seems to work fine outside of the case, but when inside, it barely stays on for a second. That being said, I have come to the conclusion that there is a grounding issue with the paint and thus causes the system to short out or something. sigh. the problem now is that i dont know where or even how to pinpoint the exact place of contact thats causing the psu to short out. what should I do?

are you POSITIVE that your motherboard isn't grounded out in any way? for example, there could be a pin touching the case itself with no issues but once the power supply's case contacts the metal of the case could cause a problem.

there's really no reason i can think of that a power supply touching the metal on the case should cause any issues.

unplug the ATX connector with the psu mounted inside the case and run a paperclip from the green wire to any black wire. this will "hotwire" the psu. if it stays on with the paperclip in there, while it's attached to the case, your psu is fine. if it DOES however not want to power up - we'll go diagnosing from there.

thats exactly what i did, and how i came to the conclusion that the psu is not grounded well. I put the paper clip in, with nothing connected to the psu, and it does not work. It just turns on and then off immediately

is this custom paint job or factory on the case. if you just bought the case return and try another one also look at all the wires one might be cut or messed up.

Im sorry i forgot ot mention that. I painted it flat black inside.

Paint should have no bearing on it even if it conducts electricity. Many cases are conductive and for this reason any screw for hardware are either insulated or (more commonly) connected to ground.

Grounding issues occur when a circuit board's contact touch the grounded case; this can be due to forgetting to use the motherboard standoffs, placing a standoff where there is no mounting hole on the motherboard, etc.

oh...hmmm
the stand offs are in their appropriate places. the mobo functioned properly outside of the case with the psu outside as well.

hmm. i'm a little stumped. i don't really know man =/

my best suggestion would be along the lines of trying another psu if you have you laying around, and see if IT works while mounted inside the case. that way, you'll know your psu is bad, and get a replacement.

yea i guess ill do just that one of these days when i have more time...sigh thanks once again to all for your help!

A lot of PSUs wont work without some load on them, try this same test with a few fans plugged into it.

Have you tried with the PSU out of the case and motherboard in the case?

As for grounding on the PSU, the PSU caseing is a ground point and it doesnt matter if it contacts the case electrically or not, so that's 100% NOT your problem.

hhmmmmmm ill try that as well, thanks

I don't see how your case could be a problem at all regardless of how well it does (or doesn't) ground the PSU to the mobo...acrylic cases have no trouble working (nor do open-air setups or even full steel cases).

I'd look elsewhere for problems.

Here is a chaortheory for you... weird one i know but i didnt have my coffee yet.

Can i assume that when its in the case you got everything hooked up?
Meaning the net work too.
The router or hub, whatever you use, gives power to the system even when the powersupply isnt on.

Then again i might need coffee:)

yea yea....i did everything i could... i give up

QFT, my thoughts exactly

I'd bet this is the problem if there is NOTHING plugged into your PSU to cause a short unless you sprinkled iron filings into the Molex connections or something...

My PCP&C PSUs need a couple of fans at least to even power up