Need help identifying problem with PSU and or start button.

Diss

Diss

Diss

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Joined
28 Oct 2002
Posts
1,510
Hi all
I have an odd problem with PSU and/or the start button but not sure which is the problem.


Situation is as follows:
A few months ago my PC would not always turn on. This was in a cold period and central heating made room quite hot so first guess was heat expansion to something. It was more likely to start when it was colder.

When it wouldn't start i would remove the PSU lead from the back of the PSU and reinsert it (wiggle it about) and i could get it to start. So i assumed it was a connection problem (i tried several different PSU leads and the problem remained). Occasionally i get a few sparks out of the PSU when inserting the lead.
More recently i tried pressing the start button several times and the PC would start after multiple pushes - though this didn't always work and i have to go back to reinserting the lead.

Any thoughts on what the problem may be?

Many thanks
 
i think PSU is out of warranty - can they be "opened up" to check the connections and maybe fix with a bit of soldering?
 
Diss said:
i think PSU is out of warranty - can they be "opened up" to check the connections and maybe fix with a bit of soldering?
Click to expand...

If your brave enough - and know what your doing. Maybe wouldn't hurt to have a look before replacing it. As it sparks when you insert the power cable - think it would be best to replace it overall. If it blows up it could take other components with it - not worth it.
 
Do you see sparks or just hear a sparky type click?

To test the PC power button just short the contacts on the motherboard where the switch header connects. You can also short the green wire in the 24 way connector to one of the blacks to test the PSU without the motherboard or any devices attached, although you may need a fan or two attached to get this to work.

The PSU could be shutting itself down due to an internal fault or a fault with something else. The above test may help determine this.

If you determine the PSU is at fault just replace it. You almost certainly don't know enough about how a ATX PSU works to go about fixing the problem.
 
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thanks for the info - you are right on my level of PSU knowledge - in my simple mind its just a loose wire/connection but things are never that easy

i can only remember one time i had sparks - though i can usually hear it crackle slightly as insert the lead ---- once its working it never shuts down and works fine which is why (until now) i have been a little reluctant to bin it

i have already purchased a new PSU from OCUK so i'll take your advise and swap it out

my sons an electrician - though no knowledge of internal workings of PSUs,
so i might ask him to have a quick peek for anything obvious

cheers
 
hmmm - i think this maybe has a 7 year guarantee its a

Corsair Professional Series AX850 High Performance 850W Modular '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply (CMPSU-850AXUK)

i'll contact OCUK and see what they say
 
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