My brother shipped me a new desktop PC from America and while setting it up I was unaware of the tiny switch near the power supply that turns it to UK power (230). So upon powering up the PC there was a bang and a spark! It was blown.

Is this problem repairable and do you know approximately how much it should cost?

Also, do you know if Hewlett Packard may repair/replace the unit due to it being new and under warranty because although it was my mistake there were no warnings on the startup instructions?

It is a Hewlett Packard Pavilion A6238X.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Paul Coiasi, January 2008

Firstly I am not sure if H.P. will take it in and repair/replace it with it being an import, although it should not matter as they are worldwide. So I would suggest contacting them about it.
Alternatively you could change the power supply unit yourself.
But bearing in mind that once the case has been opened by anyone other than H.P. it could void the warranty.
P.S.U's are pretty cheap from any computer peripheral shops and are easily replaced. All you do is remover the sides of the destop unit and unscrew the P.S.U. from the back, disconnect all the wires to the motherboard, hard drives, CD drives and Floppy drive. Read the label on the side of the unit and buy one with the same power output. Replace the unit and reconnect all the wires. Dont worry it will be set up for U.K. voltage so no need to change it. PLEASE NOTE. Damage may have been done to the motherboard when it blew, but in most cases the P.S.U's inline fuse normally goes before that happens. But you will not find out until a new unit has been put in. Hope this helps.

PcPhil, January 2008