Possible fault with a PSU any help would be appreciated.

Comradecurtis

Comradecurtis

Comradecurtis

Associate
Joined
28 Dec 2009
Posts
26
Ok so it's a bestec atx-250-12z rec: c in an hp pavilion t530.uk. Old as hell!! The PSU will green light when it recieves a current, but when you press the power up the light goes off and nothing happens!!

I have no idea what I'm doing I'm just trying to saves my bro's pc. Any help would be very welcome.

Ta
 
There's a fair chance it's the PSU, but it could be a number of different things.

Given the age of the machine it's worth checking the motherboard for any signs of capacitor failure (bulging and/or leaking). If there is then it’s basically scrap.

The PSU could also be suffering from the same problem, but it’s much harder to see and I’m not suggesting you open the PSU to have a look.

Unless you have access to some test equipment the only way to diagnose these sort of problems is by substituting known good parts. If you don’t have access to either then it’s just guesswork.
 
Does the Fan on the PSU attempt to spin when you press the motherboard's power button (after making sure everything is plugged in correctly) or are you on about the power switch on the PSU ?

And to double check, Does the PSU show a green light on the psu unit??, or is it on your motherboard (which would be a light on front of the case)?
 
It's when the pc power button is depressed that the green light on the psu goes out. The fan doesn't even attempt to start, and there is nothing at all from the mb. I will google the signs of capacitor failure tonight, but I didn't notice anything untoward last night.
 
Old as hell!!
Click to expand...

Define that in years, please. :) Basically, my suspicion is that the PSU might actually still be alive, but the wattage it lost, which is dependant on years in service, may be crucial here. If a PSU cannot supply enough power to the board, a PC won't start. What you can try is starting the PC with bare essentials only: one stick of RAM, CPU and motherboard. Disconnect everything else from the PSU for the test.

If it is not that, a PSU swap is having no effect and you get no beep codes, then the motherboard itself has had it. In which case, it may be worthwhile in either utilizing a warranty agreement, if any, or looking into a new or second hand system to replace it.
 
Six odd years, blimey! :) The little kicker did have a long life. Normally, almost any PSU will start dropping its effective power output if you keep it for more than a year in active service. The percentage it drops each successive year depends on use, so 24/7 operation will affect it more than casual use, but after it is outside manufacturer warranty, 8-25% is likely. As components age, it gets worse. Brand, operational temperature, build quality and individual parts that comprise a PSU also make a difference.

Do give the test a go and let us know how it goes. Hopefully, it will put you on the right troubleshooting track. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom