Spark made when plugging in computer

Boozad said:

Turn the power off at the wall before plugging it in, always turn it off at the wall. Only turn it back on when everything's plugged n at aboth ends.

Do note that most of the world don't have switches at the wall plug! I never saw it when was in mainland Europe (France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium), only when I lived in the UK. Japan, the US and Canada don't, and most of South America don't either (not sure about all of Brazil).

Ok, I'll do that on my surge protector since the wall outlet does not have an ON/OFF switch.

I am NOT in favor of using surge protectors at all. They are little more than expensive extension cords that do absolutely NOTHING for low voltage events, and simply cut power during excessive high-voltage events which can and often does result in corrupt data. So I recommend all computers be on a "good" UPS with AVR - though that is for another discussion.

But I am even less in favor of killing power to the computer with the surge protector's power switch unless (1) Windows was properly exited and the computer properly shut down first and (2) nothing else is connected to the protector.

If your PSU does not have a master power switch on the back (it is not an industry standard requirement) and you need to unplug the computer, I recommend unplugging at the wall (unless you do have a wall switch - assuming the 2 conditions above are met) and not the back of the PSU. This is ensure any spark does not come anywhere near any data circuit. Also, wall plugs are more robust because they are designed to be plugged in and pulled out frequently where on the PSU side, they are designed to be plugged in and left. Frequent plugging and pulling can cause wear and result in a poor mechanical connection resulting in a poor electrical connection.

On a PC, if the power supply power switch is on, the power supply is working to some degree.

To further clarify, the ATX Form Factor standard requires all PC power supplies to provide +5Vsb standby power to several points on the motherboard when the computer is shutoff, but still plugged into the wall - and "IF" equipped with a master power switch, the switch is set to on. If no switch the +5Vsb must be there. This +5V is essential for the various "Wake on..." commands - such as Wake on LAN, Wake on Mouse and Wake on Keyboard to allow you to wake your computer out of sleep by wiggling the mouse or pressing a key. Also, the front panel power switch is really a remote switch and uses that +5V too.

I personally have never owned a power supply that didn't have a switch on the back. I don't even know where I could by on if I wanted it

Many cheap, generic, off-brand, and budget supplies don't come with a master power switch. Experienced self-builders don't buy cheap, generic, off-brand, and budget supplies so not likely to see one without.

Unfortunately, many cheap, generic, off-brand and budget computers come with cheap, generic, off-brand, and budget supplies. And even some quality cases have cheap, generic, off-brand, and budget supplies "tossed in" to make the case sale.

I really don't understand the differences of turning off a surge protector and unplugging from a wall socket. The same results. Removing all power to the computer power supply.

I might not have been very clear on that. For the power supply, you are right, it is the same results. My concern was a surge protector often has more than just the PSU plugged into it. For example, maybe the router or modem and killing the power to the strip would take down the whole network for all users, not just you.

Also, I have seen where users of strips forget to "gracefully" exit Windows first, and just kill power. This can result in corrupting critical system files, and an unbootable computer. Of course, that is a problem with just pulling the plug too but I feel pulling the plug is a more deliberate action and thus the user will hopefully not forget to gracefully exit Windows (probably wishful thinking on my part).

I have no idea what the standards are in various countries.

And with posters coming here from all over the world, that is exactly why we cannot assume they have a wall outlet switch. That said, if you want to know (more or less) see Country Household Voltages and Plug Styles. I say "more or less" because some countries use different standards.

@ Itaregid I always remember to shut down the computer before turning the surge protector off or unplugging the pc. And also, I can't buy a UPS here in Korea since it is so hard to find one in stores. Also, I usually just shutdown my computer and completely unplug the surge protector on a day that could have a thunderstorm to completly protect it from surges.

Sounds like you are on top of it! :)