The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Power Supply problems
Mullitt The Wise
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So the other day the power supply on my brother's computer broke. It turns on immediately when the switch is flipped (even when disconnected from the PC), supplies no power to the computer and smells like burning plastic.
So I bought a new one and installed it today, and nothing happens. I've installed power supplies before, I know what cables go where, but it just won't turn on. When the switch on the back of it is in the "off" position it the power supply makes a ticking sound for a second or two, but that's it.
What could be wrong?
So I bought a new one and installed it today, and nothing happens. I've installed power supplies before, I know what cables go where, but it just won't turn on. When the switch on the back of it is in the "off" position it the power supply makes a ticking sound for a second or two, but that's it.
What could be wrong?
Mullitt The Wise on
0
Posts
The 'ticking' sound with the physical switch in the off position is a little bit disturbing. Have you considered maybe that there's a defect or short in the power cable that connects the PC to the wall? Try replacing this maybe?
An ATX power supply should not come on unless the power switch at the front of the computer is pushed, which triggers pin 14 on the power supply cable. You can emulate this by shorting two pins on the power supply cable and this triggers the power supply to turn on. This page describes the procedure.
Otherwise, you may want to buy or borrow an ATX Power Supply Tester (a little device that makes sure the power supply is doing the right thing), they cost about $10-20.
I don't really understand the directions for testing the power supply on that page. What do I do to pin 14 to activate it?
Note: You should probably NOT do this while the power supply is plugged in. Short the pins and then plug in the power supply and see if the fans come on. If they do, unplug the power supply and then remove the wire.
I guess I'm gonna have to buy a new one.
edit: is it possible it took other things besides the mobo with it?
Of course it is. Do really try to verify that your motherboard is busted, though: make sure everything's cabled right (especially the power switch) and so on, before you go replacing it. Otherwise, look on their for blown or leaky capacitors - that's a Las Vegas algorithm - if you see them, you know your motherboard is fucked. If not, it still might be fucked. Also, inspect the board carefully for any little burn marks also where a capacitor or power regulator or fuse might have vaporized into charcoal. I've seen that before too (although it was a leaky roof and a docking station).