Dying PSU?

paddyb · 10 Nov 2014 at 23:42

Boot Issue. PSU related?

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my PC wouldn't start booting up when first switched on at the plug socket. If the plug was already on, it would start straight away, but if it had been off overnight, it would take a few seconds. As time went on this has grown to a few minutes. Am i right in thinking this is due to a failing PSU? PC about 5 years old and has had heavy use.

paddyb · 16 Nov 2014 at 14:43

Sorry to bump, but the issue is getting worse and I don't want to go down the route of installing a new PSU if there's something else causing this problem. Can anyone advise please?

Grimley · 16 Nov 2014 at 15:06

try this test.

paddyb · 18 Nov 2014 at 12:52

Thanks for getting back to me.

This seems like a lot of work and I'm not convinced it will get me any further. The PC stars first time if the surge protection extension it is connected to is already switched on, but now takes several minutes if the surge protection is off. Its at a stage now where I don't want to switch the surge protection off at the wall in-case I can't get it to boot again.

From this description, is the PSU a likely culprit, or is there any other reason this is happening?

Grimley · 18 Nov 2014 at 15:10

Hard to say. Only alternative is to buy a new PSU & see if the problem is still there when the new one is being used.

Doogles · 20 Nov 2014 at 13:44

Would help if we knew the model of your PSU but I would say it probably is causing those issues.

troops · 20 Nov 2014 at 15:48

If it has no power what so ever maybe the on board battery is dead and resulting in the motherboard having to reconfigure when its had no power from the wall.

embalse · 20 Nov 2014 at 22:00

I bought a Thermaltake Dr Power II PSU Tester.
Best £22 I have spent in a while. Will tell you what up with your PSU. Very easy to use

rtho782 · 21 Nov 2014 at 13:14

Leave the PC plugged in?

Why bother unplugging/turning plug off :/

troops · 21 Nov 2014 at 15:45

rtho782 said:
Leave the PC plugged in?

Why bother unplugging/turning plug off :/

I don't bother turning it off at the wall either, never seen the point.

paddyb · 4 Dec 2014 at 14:22

Thanks everyone and apologies for the late reply, just got back from holiday.

I got around to the doing the paper clip test, and it passes, so its likely to be something else, maybe the motherboard battery? How do I check / replace this?

I have a new PSU on order anyway, so I will try that as well.

james.miller · 4 Dec 2014 at 14:26

My last psu went the same way. Was fine when it was running but became increasingly difficult to get it to cold boot. Only difference was mine was having problems with coming out of standby as well - fans would ramp up full pelt, stay there and no display.

New psu solved it

scubes · 4 Dec 2014 at 19:33

I'd get a new psu cos I've heard when some psu,s go they. An wipe out other components.

paddyb · 4 Dec 2014 at 19:47

Thanks. Should arrive tomorrow, I hope it does the trick, if not, I fear it could be something much more difficult to pin down.

ChugNorris · 5 Dec 2014 at 14:39

Would be interested to know what PSU you are having issues with and if the new PSU fixes it.

paddyb · 6 Dec 2014 at 12:15

Yep, new one fixed it! Old one was a Liteon PS-6351-2 350w which came with the machine (Dell Vostro 430). The new one is a Sumovision Power X3 500w. Everything working well, but the new one is a bit noisier than the Liteon. I had expected the one Dell had supplied to be as cheap & cheerful as they come, but the Sumovision is louder. I'll stick with it a few days and see if I can put up with it, if not I'll get a more expensive one (this one only cost £14.95 delivered, so perhaps no surprise there really).