Dead Power Supply?

Wrathcaster · 01-30-2005, 09:12 AM

So last night I'm late up working on some school shit before i hit the sack, and for no apparent reason at all, the bastard computer just turns off on me. The monitor had power the whole time but just went black as the tower simply died. The power button doesn't do shit, and I've tried rearranging the plug ins and changing sockets but nothing's working. Been waiting for my PC's manufacturer (ibuypower.com) to get back with me for some tech support, but I have a feeling I might have to fix this one myself.

The computer itself is an Athlon XP 3000+ on a A7n8X mobo, with 1024 mb DDR RAM, a Geforce 5600 FX 256 mb, Soundblaster Audigy 2, Western Digital 160 gb 7200 RPM hard drive, Lite-On 52x24x52 CDRW, and a 16x DVD drive. It's all powered by the 420 watt power supply that came with my Raidmax Scorpio 668 case.

The computer has never run too hot, the interior case temps always staying between 26-29 celcius, depending on whether it's idle or not. Up until now the rig's been super cool, never had any problems, and the inside of the case doesn't appear to have any obviously damaged components ie: burn marks, melting, etc... It looks fine to me, but for some reason it won't power up. Of course, I'm suspecting the power supply, but have no way of testing out my theory that it may be burned out. Any suggestions on the best way to troubleshoot/fix this myself?

Blaezenfury · 01-30-2005, 10:05 AM

same damn thing happened to me, but im not sure if it was my mobo or my psu...there might be a light on your motherboard, maybe red or green usually can tell by that if your mobo is getting power, if it is it might be your psu.

Eomer · 01-30-2005, 10:27 AM

Could potentially be your motherboard as well, since the power button on your computer goes through your motherboard to turn on the power. If you have another PSU or motherboard you could swap em around and find out that way. Never really had either die on me, so I don't have much experience with that. Generally the PSU fan just dies on me or the bearings shit out, and I replace it before anything bad happens.

Arbuste · 01-30-2005, 10:28 AM

You will rarely if ever see any burn on electronic material. The only clue you could have (and often have) is a burnt smell.
In your case, it's probably the power supply (I suppose the power supply fan does not start when you switch the computer on?) You can't really fix it, but you can easily change it. Just have to unscrew it. You will know in a matter of minute, if only you have an old power supply at hand (from an older computer or something. Or buy a new one.)
Power supplies are normally quite sturdy, but shit happens.

Ham n Cheese · 01-30-2005, 11:14 AM

Yeah. Most likely is the power supply...

Wrathcaster · 01-30-2005, 02:31 PM

It was, i got a new antec 430watt that's alot quieter and its fine now.. Not sure what made my raidmax psu burn out but if i ever find myself buying another raidmax case then ill buy my own PSU

Eomer · 01-30-2005, 09:33 PM

Generally it's best to buy your own PSU, the ones that come with cases, surprise surprise, are generally pieces of shit anyway. As far as what caused it to burn out, could be any number of things. A current or voltage spike from your electricity utility could have done it, PSU's are kind of just really fancy transformers, and transformers really aren't all that hard to burn out if they get too much current.

01-30-2005, 10:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Blaezenfury Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada. Posts: 1,496 +1 Internets	heh same damn thing happened to me, but im not sure if it was my mobo or my psu...there might be a light on your motherboard, maybe red or green usually can tell by that if your mobo is getting power, if it is it might be your psu. __________________ Blaezen Feanturi. 65th Halfling OverLord of the Vallon Zek Sever.

01-30-2005, 11:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ham n Cheese Productive, fully-charged, cocked and pointed Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 8,383 +19 Internets	echo Yeah. Most likely is the power supply... __________________ Xeph Hunky Dory Mavo Mayhem

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01-30-2005, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eomer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8,885 +4 Internets	Could potentially be your motherboard as well, since the power button on your computer goes through your motherboard to turn on the power. If you have another PSU or motherboard you could swap em around and find out that way. Never really had either die on me, so I don't have much experience with that. Generally the PSU fan just dies on me or the bearings shit out, and I replace it before anything bad happens.

01-30-2005, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Arbuste This calls for the league of Evil! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 705 -2 Internets	You will rarely if ever see any burn on electronic material. The only clue you could have (and often have) is a burnt smell. In your case, it's probably the power supply (I suppose the power supply fan does not start when you switch the computer on?) You can't really fix it, but you can easily change it. Just have to unscrew it. You will know in a matter of minute, if only you have an old power supply at hand (from an older computer or something. Or buy a new one.) Power supplies are normally quite sturdy, but shit happens.

01-30-2005, 09:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eomer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8,885 +4 Internets	Generally it's best to buy your own PSU, the ones that come with cases, surprise surprise, are generally pieces of shit anyway. As far as what caused it to burn out, could be any number of things. A current or voltage spike from your electricity utility could have done it, PSU's are kind of just really fancy transformers, and transformers really aren't all that hard to burn out if they get too much current.