Dead PC - Test advice (Old PC)

Derek W

Derek W

Derek W

Soldato
Joined
1 Oct 2008
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Hi all,

Recently I bought bits for a new PC which is now up and running. In the last couple of months I still needed to transfer some files over which I've largely done already. I left the old PC sitting for the last couple of weeks but in the meantime it appears that the PSU is now dead (to a degree) and the PC wont start. I have tried 'hotwiring' the PC by bridging the power button pins on the motherboard after seeing it on a youtube video to see if i can rule out the case's power button being faulty but nothings powering on. I do however have the light on the Graphics card so some power is coming through?

Is there a safe way for me to test the voltages coming out of the different sockets on the rear of the PSU?

I've got a multimeter and the PSU is the Antec Quattro 1000W unit which was purchased back in 2008. The chances are I'll just replace the PSU if I'm to get any further use out of the PC or simply get a caddy to stick the HDDs on to read the final bits of info that I'll need to transfer over but just curious if i can get it tested safely before ruling it out as completely dead.
 
You could bridge power switch pins (usually green and black) on the 24 pin plug and probe the rails. Obviously do this with the PSU removed and take care not to short anything.
 
jigger said:
You could bridge power switch pins (usually green and black) on the 24 pin plug and probe the rails. Obviously do this with the PSU removed and take care not to short anything.
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I'd read something similar for a corsair psu but I'm guessing it applies across the board so I'll check the instructions before trying it out to see if the fan kicks up on the PSU. More out of curiosity than being vital to getting the old computer up and running again.
 
Derek W said:
I'd read something similar for a corsair psu but I'm guessing it applies across the board so I'll check the instructions before trying it out to see if the fan kicks up on the PSU. More out of curiosity than being vital to getting the old computer up and running again.
Click to expand...
That test applies for all psus.
It basically just tells you whether there's signs of life on the PSU, but not whether the voltages are within spec (you'll need a PSU tester to check)
From what you've already described, the PSU has signs of life as there's lights on the GPU, the jumper trick is unlikely to yield more information.
 
tamzzy said:
That test applies for all psus.
It basically just tells you whether there's signs of life on the PSU, but not whether the voltages are within spec (you'll need a PSU tester to check)
From what you've already described, the PSU has signs of life as there's lights on the GPU, the jumper trick is unlikely to yield more information.
Click to expand...

Unless the tester includes a dummy load function then that’s all it’s testing for.
 
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