Computer frooze today.

[Skybuck Flying]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened.

The software being run was:

1. Windows Live Messenger (I rarely use it)

2. Skybuck's UDP File Transfer version 2.97

3. Some other apps maybe like ms paint, some version of word.

The PC is probably using debug drivers for cuda 4.2 debugging or so, that
could also be the issue, maybe a graphics driver frooze up.

4. Played X-Com today.

5. Played Startrek today.

6. There was also an adobe updated on reboot ???

Also two out of four harddisk are bad, I know that... the freeze up during
boot but only a few minutes or so.

I have disconnected them to rule out that possiblity from now on.

I suspect it was a software bug, perhaps caused by number 2, my app.

I have seen it freeze before, it's kind of weird. It's also kinda annoying
how windows chances colors among different versions it makes my app look
shit.

The newer unreleased version seems to have some weird ipv6/unicode problem,
or maybe it's a windows/winsock bug... dont know about yet will have to
investigate.

But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering lot's
of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two inside
of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago or so
I think.

3. The cable modem acted weird on saturday, not sure why, could be isp
updating cable speed, or perhaps they thought I was behind an announced
denial of service attack and decided to cut me off prematurely ?!

I think I got an email about these updates I will have to check the dates.

I couldn't find any posting of myself referring to my suspicion about the
"fair" on google/the internet !

But maybe it was deleted already by the archiving systems... I shall have to
inspect my microsoft outlook to see if it's maybe in there.

The fair and my PC freezing could just be coincidence... or maybe there is
more too it.

That's why I post this RIGHT NOW as the fair is happening.

If my computer does blow up/goes kaputt in the following few days, then
maybe the FAIR has something to do with it.

To be FAIR to them lol... funny... I shall also mention that I connected a
headset to my PC, something I fear because of potentially electrical
discharges...

So that could also have something to do with it.

If next year my computer freezes again while there is a FAIR then I am not
going to be happy about that !

If anything else happens to my computer then I will report about it
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my only working decent computer at the moment and it must not die until
the year 2016 when I will buy a new one ! =D

Bye,
Skybuck.

 

[Paul]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened.

The software being run was:

1. Windows Live Messenger (I rarely use it)

2. Skybuck's UDP File Transfer version 2.97

3. Some other apps maybe like ms paint, some version of word.

The PC is probably using debug drivers for cuda 4.2 debugging or so,
that could also be the issue, maybe a graphics driver frooze up.

4. Played X-Com today.

5. Played Startrek today.

6. There was also an adobe updated on reboot ???

Also two out of four harddisk are bad, I know that... the freeze up
during boot but only a few minutes or so.

I have disconnected them to rule out that possiblity from now on.

I suspect it was a software bug, perhaps caused by number 2, my app.

I have seen it freeze before, it's kind of weird. It's also kinda
annoying how windows chances colors among different versions it makes my
app look shit.

The newer unreleased version seems to have some weird ipv6/unicode
problem, or maybe it's a windows/winsock bug... dont know about yet will
have to investigate.

But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.

3. The cable modem acted weird on saturday, not sure why, could be isp
updating cable speed, or perhaps they thought I was behind an announced
denial of service attack and decided to cut me off prematurely ?!

I think I got an email about these updates I will have to check the dates.

I couldn't find any posting of myself referring to my suspicion about
the "fair" on google/the internet !

But maybe it was deleted already by the archiving systems... I shall
have to inspect my microsoft outlook to see if it's maybe in there.

The fair and my PC freezing could just be coincidence... or maybe there
is more too it.

That's why I post this RIGHT NOW as the fair is happening.

If my computer does blow up/goes kaputt in the following few days, then
maybe the FAIR has something to do with it.

To be FAIR to them lol... funny... I shall also mention that I connected
a headset to my PC, something I fear because of potentially electrical
discharges...

So that could also have something to do with it.

If next year my computer freezes again while there is a FAIR then I am
not going to be happy about that !

If anything else happens to my computer then I will report about it
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my only working decent computer at the moment and it must not die
until the year 2016 when I will buy a new one ! =D

Bye,
Skybuck.

Buy a "double conversion uninterruptible power supply" or
"double conversion UPS". That will eliminate the problem.
A double conversion UPS is using some electrical power
at all times, and a small fan operates on the back of the unit
for cooling. This one is approximately $500 USD. They used
to start at around $1000 or so.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842111448

A second type, less desirable but more affordable, is
a "line interactive UPS". This is better than nothing, but
doesn't absolutely guarantee that no transient will get
through. Whereas the double conversion unit is very good
at providing clean power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply#Line-interactive

Even if the line interactive UPS does not stop a transient,
the audible beeper may alert you that something
abnormal just happened to the power. And being able
to hear the beeper, makes it possible to correlate
computer failure events, with electrical power problems.

Paul

 

[pleerol]

Op 14-10-2012 19:37, Skybuck Flying schreef:

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened.

The software being run was:

1. Windows Live Messenger (I rarely use it)

2. Skybuck's UDP File Transfer version 2.97

3. Some other apps maybe like ms paint, some version of word.

The PC is probably using debug drivers for cuda 4.2 debugging or so,
that could also be the issue, maybe a graphics driver frooze up.

4. Played X-Com today.

5. Played Startrek today.

6. There was also an adobe updated on reboot ???

Also two out of four harddisk are bad, I know that... the freeze up
during boot but only a few minutes or so.

I have disconnected them to rule out that possiblity from now on.

I suspect it was a software bug, perhaps caused by number 2, my app.

I have seen it freeze before, it's kind of weird. It's also kinda
annoying how windows chances colors among different versions it makes my
app look shit.

The newer unreleased version seems to have some weird ipv6/unicode
problem, or maybe it's a windows/winsock bug... dont know about yet will
have to investigate.

But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.

3. The cable modem acted weird on saturday, not sure why, could be isp
updating cable speed, or perhaps they thought I was behind an announced
denial of service attack and decided to cut me off prematurely ?!

I think I got an email about these updates I will have to check the dates.

I couldn't find any posting of myself referring to my suspicion about
the "fair" on google/the internet !

But maybe it was deleted already by the archiving systems... I shall
have to inspect my microsoft outlook to see if it's maybe in there.

The fair and my PC freezing could just be coincidence... or maybe there
is more too it.

That's why I post this RIGHT NOW as the fair is happening.

If my computer does blow up/goes kaputt in the following few days, then
maybe the FAIR has something to do with it.

To be FAIR to them lol... funny... I shall also mention that I connected
a headset to my PC, something I fear because of potentially electrical
discharges...

So that could also have something to do with it.

If next year my computer freezes again while there is a FAIR then I am
not going to be happy about that !

If anything else happens to my computer then I will report about it
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my only working decent computer at the moment and it must not die
until the year 2016 when I will buy a new one ! =D

Bye,
Skybuck.

You were quiet for a while. Did you spend some time in a freezer?

 

[Jamie]

Op 14-10-2012 19:37, Skybuck Flying schreef:



You were quiet for a while. Did you spend some time in a freezer?

Yeah, he was in lock up.. His term must be completed! Too bad!



Jamie

 

[BeeJ]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened.

The software being run was:

1. Windows Live Messenger (I rarely use it)

2. Skybuck's UDP File Transfer version 2.97

3. Some other apps maybe like ms paint, some version of word.

The PC is probably using debug drivers for cuda 4.2 debugging or so, that
could also be the issue, maybe a graphics driver frooze up.

4. Played X-Com today.

5. Played Startrek today.

6. There was also an adobe updated on reboot ???

Also two out of four harddisk are bad, I know that... the freeze up during
boot but only a few minutes or so.

I have disconnected them to rule out that possiblity from now on.

I suspect it was a software bug, perhaps caused by number 2, my app.

I have seen it freeze before, it's kind of weird. It's also kinda annoying
how windows chances colors among different versions it makes my app look
shit.

The newer unreleased version seems to have some weird ipv6/unicode problem,
or maybe it's a windows/winsock bug... dont know about yet will have to
investigate.

But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering lot's
of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters away
from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two inside of
the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago or so
I think.

3. The cable modem acted weird on saturday, not sure why, could be isp
updating cable speed, or perhaps they thought I was behind an announced
denial of service attack and decided to cut me off prematurely ?!

I think I got an email about these updates I will have to check the dates.

I couldn't find any posting of myself referring to my suspicion about the
"fair" on google/the internet !

But maybe it was deleted already by the archiving systems... I shall have to
inspect my microsoft outlook to see if it's maybe in there.

The fair and my PC freezing could just be coincidence... or maybe there is
more too it.

That's why I post this RIGHT NOW as the fair is happening.

If my computer does blow up/goes kaputt in the following few days, then maybe
the FAIR has something to do with it.

To be FAIR to them lol... funny... I shall also mention that I connected a
headset to my PC, something I fear because of potentially electrical
discharges...

So that could also have something to do with it.

If next year my computer freezes again while there is a FAIR then I am not
going to be happy about that !

If anything else happens to my computer then I will report about it
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my only working decent computer at the moment and it must not die until
the year 2016 when I will buy a new one ! =D

Bye,
Skybuck.

Goblins. All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en to kids) is approaching.

 

[Flasherly]

Had it six years, why wait 4 more and not just six for twelve. Thing
about that is keep stockpiling them. I've two or three around. Long
is enough to get worth on your money before getting out. Shift older,
more failure-prone components, on down the line to less tolerant
systems. My 6-year-old 200G HDs are starting to look like 80Gs. Not
quite yet toss-fodder, but I did stock up on 1-2T drives while the
getting was good at $50US a drive last year. Yesterday, TigerDirect
placed an advert for a $40 80G IBM SSD. It just doesn't stop. The
conveyor belts wouldn't work right if it weren't for assumed
responsibilities and planned obsolesce. There's always a sale lurking
at the next corner. My latest MB has cubed Japanese solid state
transistors and is rated 50Khrs. MTBF. Real high tolerances, too, for
operating in the likes of thunderstorms. That's nice, believe it, but
don't get too high into the dreams. Tell you a little secret about
the dawn of computer history - they never actually made these things
to work without an integral backup contingency plans. Redundant
arrays of almost everything hard or soft -- if that's what it takes.
A bank, for instance, when you go to use your card to check out some
money -- 'So sorry, but we're broke, too.' Call the fair, whoever you
want in the meantime, but your butt's going to parked banging and
yelling at their door first thing 8AM for some payday. And they know
it, which side of the bread to butter with fees they're tacking on for
a steady state operation. Dreams, I'd imagine, will only work so far
for a builder.

 

[Jamie]

Ever consider calculating the soft error rate of your RAM? Without
ECC (error correction), a typical computah is going to about 1 bit
error, per hour, per gigabyte or more, depending mostly on exposure to
various types of radiation.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_error>
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-event_upset>
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECC_memory>
Most of the time, the affected bit is in an area of memory that you're
not using. Therefore, there's no effect until perhaps days later,
when the operating system stumbles over the flipped bit, and hangs.
Power line glitches can also cause such problems. This is why servers
use ECC RAM.

If your NightmarePC 2006 computer supports ECC RAM, you may wish to
replace ALL your RAM with ECC RAM. However, that does nothing for the
various peripherals, video RAM, hard disk controller, and peripherals,
none of which offer ECC, and any of which can be affected by
radiation.

Your best bet is to expand the size of your tin foil hat. While you
can't do anything for internally generated nuclear particles, you can
reduce the effects from those arriving from outer space. Covering the
computah with pure lead sheet:
<http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=10800&gclid=CN-sod_CgbMCFeV7Qgod8kkAuA>
might help. Putting as much dirt as possible between your computer
and the sky will also help. Therefore, I suggest you move to a cave
or an abandoned lead mine for maximum protection.

But, But, there's that lead poisoning problem!

Jamie

 

[Johann Klammer]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

[SNIP]

Tried swapping capacitors and powersupply?
I had those crashes too, once. It was dying capacitors.
Next thing that will happen are RAM errors, and your GFX card might
refuse to 'start up'. If you are afraid about recapping, you can try
swapping components for less power hungry/older ones, which might give
you a few more months or a year.

RAM chips do _not_ have one soft error per hour(at least not here). We
are protected by earth's atmosphere.

regards,
JK

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

Therefore, I suggest you move to a cave
or an abandoned lead mine for maximum protection.

preferably without power or internet.

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

For fun, I sent them to
the shell prompt [Alt][F2] and had them run uptime. 58 days and
something. I had to explain to them how to reboot the computer, as
they had never done it intentionally before.

this is a server I rebooted last year

http://jasper.org.uk/uptime.jpg

 

[Flasherly]

RAM chips do _not_ have one soft error per hour(at least not here). We
are protected by earth's atmosphere.

Very good. I like someone who knows the right answers.

 

[Skybuck Flying]

Apperently the boot freezing remains, so it probably has to do with
something else, maybe file disk mounting...

Hmmm...

Bye,
Skybuck.

 

[Skybuck Flying]

So very maybe it was a freeze like the boot freeze hmmm... could be a vhd
driver issue.

Bye,
Skybuck.

 

[Jan Pieter]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened. [snip]
But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.
[snip]

My son's PC had the same problem. While it was restarting after I
checked the RAM's there was (according to my son, I didn't see it) a
ball of light inside the PC case, and sparks close to the RAM's. And a
few seconds later a terrible smell: the mobo burned out. Later I
realized the problem probably was the mobo's battery. Maybe that's
your PC's problem as well?

 

[Paul]

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened. [snip]
But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.
[snip]

My son's PC had the same problem. While it was restarting after I
checked the RAM's there was (according to my son, I didn't see it) a
ball of light inside the PC case, and sparks close to the RAM's. And a
few seconds later a terrible smell: the mobo burned out. Later I
realized the problem probably was the mobo's battery. Maybe that's
your PC's problem as well?

I don't think that little battery would ever cause sparks anywhere under
any circumstances.

The ATX supply can provide enough power for a "ball of light".

The CPU regulator (VCore) is probably also capable
of making a light show if shorted out. While it has
overcurrent protection, it also has a relatively high
power rating. I've seen a picture of one motherboard, where
an area a couple inches all around the processor socket
was charred, from a plane-to-plane short circuit. The sheet
copper got so hot, it burned up the FR4 PCB material.

I was working in our lab at work one evening, with someone working about
ten feet from me. His head was inside a large computer case (9u VME, maybe
20 slots or so). He was using a scope probe, and managed to short out
the 5V supply, through a pin on a DIP IC. There was a burst of pure, white
light, which cast a shadow of his head and body, onto the lab ceiling. After
about two seconds, the leg on the IC completely burned off and the light
level in the lab returned to normal. Naturally, this scared the crap
out of the poor guy. It turns out the power supply was rated for
5V @ 100A (we hadn't really thought about the rating, before working
on the project), so the supply could burn through just about any kind
of fault in the computer. Impressive.

The tiny CR2032 could not do that. It couldn't deliver 100A.
The battery may be sufficient to run small hobby motors, but
I wouldn't expect more than that from it. A datasheet I have
here, suggests around 0.16A on a short. In the motherboard
circuit itself, a series 1K ohm resistor prevents more than
3mA from flowing in any case. To draw more current, you have to
touch the shiny top of the cell, to an adjacent ground. The circuit
itself is current limited to no more than 3mA. The in-circuit load
is 10 micro amps, so the 1K resistor isn't hurting anything
in terms of circuit performance. The voltage drop is hardly
noticeable (10 microamps * 1000 = 0.01V drop).

Paul

 

[Skybuck Flying]

"Jan Pieter" wrote in message

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened. [snip]
But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.
[snip]

"
My son's PC had the same problem. While it was restarting after I
checked the RAM's there was (according to my son, I didn't see it) a
ball of light inside the PC case, and sparks close to the RAM's. And a
few seconds later a terrible smell: the mobo burned out. Later I
realized the problem probably was the mobo's battery. Maybe that's
your PC's problem as well?

--
Jan Pieter. Zijn favoriete PC was verdwenen. Er lag een
afscheidsbriefje met de woorden: 'niemand begrijpt mij'.
Gelukkig heeft JP zijn hond nog: http://jp.dhs.org/
"

Hello thank you for writing to me, though this is a somewhat old thread

Most of my computer problems have been solved, except boot times take 10
minutes but I solve that by sleeping the PC.

Only issue remaining nowadays which is a new phenomenon is the break out box
for X-Fi Elite Pro seems to hang/freeze up.

So volume control for surround sound system doesn't work anymore.

And red lights blinking on it which I wrote before about... it's quite
odd/weird.

As a matter a fact it didn't do that before... so that's really weird. Maybe
frequency/sound of fans changed.

I tried to place it at a bigger distance from PC case it helps a little
bit... but its's still picking up signals.

So maybe it's not coming from the PC.

New theory/hypothesis: Maybe the PC's CASE is reflecting signals into the
breakout base.

Maybe the PC's case is working a little bit like a big antenna.

Anyway...

Now back to your problem and son's observed spark... never before have I
seen a light bulb inside the PC or anything like that.

The only time I saw a flash... was probably when some old chinese power
supply blew !

I am not sure what caused it... either too much wattage was being drawn from
wall socket.

Or my best guess: the power supply buckled because of gravity... and the
clearing was not enough anymore and it short circuited !

Which is very dangerous I think ! the electricty went off and I was in the
midst of darknes... later that night I had a nightmare... about the lights
going out... me moving to the window and seeing aliens outside...

Quite scary... if I remember correctly it was when I turned on the light...
but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me... it probably wasn't like that...
maybe the light sparkled a bit.

Anyway... there was a blow out from the back of the PC and a little flash.

Anyway... main reason I write is that if it's the power supply sparking your
son might be in danger...

I don't think it's that's the case... but one can't be carefull enough.

Try to inspect the power supply for any black markings... especially on the
inside...

If it has any of those it's dangerous.

Anyway... also check if it's chinese... and from alluminium/flimsy... these
are not to be trusted.

Nowadays... I have strong power supplies... more properly build... still
some glue here and there in it... which is less ideal but ok.

That's at least my practical experience.

Maybe it will help you or maybe not.

Take care, see ya later.

(Fair has started again by the way...)

Bye,
Skybuck.

 

[Skybuck Flying]

"Paul" wrote in message

Hello,

My DreamPC from 2006 with passively cooled graphics card and a new
motherboard and new harddisks as described in other messages through the
years, suddenly frooze today.

COMPLETE FREEZE. I had to press the reset button on the PC case !

This hasn't happened in ages but today it happened. [snip]
But now the REAL reason why I write this message:

The fair (kermis in dutch) is happening again. Big machines requiering
lot's of power probably.

I wonder if this "fair" (machines for amusement) which is 100/200 meters
away from here or so.... has something to do with it ?

It could also be an electrical issue with my appertment or neighbours.

1. Light bulb blew at least a few days ago, there were actually two
inside of the lamp, in my bedroom, not sure if they both blew at the
same time.

2. Another light bulb blew in my main living room, also some weeks ago
or so I think.
[snip]

My son's PC had the same problem. While it was restarting after I
checked the RAM's there was (according to my son, I didn't see it) a
ball of light inside the PC case, and sparks close to the RAM's. And a
few seconds later a terrible smell: the mobo burned out. Later I
realized the problem probably was the mobo's battery. Maybe that's
your PC's problem as well?

I don't think that little battery would ever cause sparks anywhere under
any circumstances.

"
The ATX supply can provide enough power for a "ball of light".
"

I agree with that. He/she should definetly check the power supply... it
could cause a short circuit or maybe even death.

This incident is not to be taking lightly.

Bye,
Skybuck.