Think my PSU has blown...

tjc

tjc

tjc

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Joined
10 Mar 2007
Posts
62
Location
Scotland.
Hi all...

Was wondering if I could get some help/advice please.

A couple of days ago I plugged the pc plug into the wall and flicked down the switch and heard a little "pop" and saw a little "flash" and there was a slight burning smell.

Mmm... not good I thought.

Switched everything off and unplugged all cables etc from the back of the pc and after 5 or so mins had a look inside. There was/is no obvious signs of burning/shorting out or anything having blown...

So I`m stumped. :(

Could some kind soul(s) let me know how I`d go about checking what the problem is?

Does this sound like the PSU`s blown or something else maybe...?

If it is the PSU and I tried to boot up, what would happen?

(Sorry if that sounds like a daft question, lol)

Any help/pointers as to how I can check what`s happened and how to get it back up and running will be most appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

tj...
 
When psus go they normally go as you described. When i looked inside mine when it blew i couldnt see any dagage either. and when i tried booting up again it just made funny clocking noises. It is most likely you power supply. Try using a spare power supply or if dont have one ask nicely at a computer fixing shop to borrow theirs!

Also wat specs and power supply are you using. Is i a good brand power supply
 
SOunds like it could be the fuse inside the PSU. If you try to power on you won't get anything and nothnig will be damaged. Easiest way to check is if you have a lan connection to your router / modem. Modern PCs don't actually remove the power from the PC when it is turned off, this is so they can power on from Wake On Lan signals so there is still power to the MB even with the PC turned off. IF you have a light on your ethernet port you are probably ok, if not it sounds like thr PSU has gone.

If you really want to you could take the PSU apart and try to replace the fuse, however unless you really know what you are doing I wouldn't recommend this, there are parts inside that will still have charge and CAN KILL YOU. I did this recently for a friend at work, her other half decided to switch the PSU over to 110V to see what it did. Obviously blew the internal fuse for the PSU, but as she told me this is what he had done I figured it would be ok to replace the fuse. Usually if the fuse blows it is to stop any other parts of your PC getting damaged so unless you know why it blew I would really go down the route of getting a new PSU.

If you are taking the PSU apart I would say leave it unplugged for about a week to allow the capacitors to discharge but if you hadn't made any alterations to the PSU I really wouldn't go down this route. If you know a sparky you could get tjem to check it out for you
 
What make is the psu? Do not try to boot with it as you may end up killing other components. Take the psu out and short out the 20/24 pin ATX connector by joining a green to a black with a piece of wire. Connect a fan to one of the molex connectors and then turn it on. If it does'nt start then it's dead and time to buy a new quality psu.

Do not take it to bits. You could end up injuring yourself.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.

The spec for the pc is as follows:

AMD Athlon 64x2 4200+
DFI Infinity nf ultraII - M2/G
G.Skill 2gb DDR 2 NQ PC2 - 6400
OCUK Geforce 8800GTS 320mb GDDR3

With an Antec Truepower Trio 650w PSU.

@ engstrom0304

I`m on my old rig atm so I could try using the PSU from it to test things out maybe?

@ chrislip

Thanks for all the info but there`s no way I`m opening anything up... just not that switched on for that kind of stuff but I appreciate you answer. Cheers. :)

@ pastymuncher

The make of PSU is as above pastymuncher... sorry but as I say, not that confident at "shorting" things out... but could maybe try the old rig`s PSU in the new rig.
No chance of me openng anything up so no worries ther, lol... :D

So... this DOES seem to be a blown PSU then yeh?
 
Last edited:
Sounds like "test fired" capacitor.


tjc said:
sorry but as I say, not that confident at "shorting" things out...
Click to expand...
Green wire is power-on signal and motherboard shorts it to ground when you push power button.
If PSUs couldn't handle that we would be using PCs only as paper weights.
 
EsaT said:
Sounds like "test fired" capacitor.


Green wire is power-on signal and motherboard shorts it to ground when you push power button.
If PSUs couldn't handle that we would be using PCs only as paper weights.
Click to expand...

Mmm... just not that confident when it comes to that kind of stuff... sorry.

So... it looks like a new PSU then. :D
 
tjc said:
Mmm... just not that confident when it comes to that kind of stuff... sorry.

So... it looks like a new PSU then. :D
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, a quality 400w would be more than enough for your rig. My rig has a max draw of only 274w and that's while running Orthos and Fur stability test at the same time so you won't see anything like that. Have a look around for one of the excellent new Enermax Modu/Pro 82+ psu's. The Modu is modular and starts from 425w and the pro is hard wired and starts from 385w. The 385w would be fine for that rig. Only cost's around £36 too.
 
Does indeed sound like the PSU has gone kaput as what you have described I have see a few times. You could maybe get a magnifying glass and a torch to see if something has blown inside like a capacitor, but I wouldn't recommend going any further as it's pretty dangerous inside :)
 
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