Power supply issues - PSU tester?

[slipd]

Hi guys,

I suspect I'm experiencing psu issues but I want to be certain! I realise I can swap out the suspect unit but I remember reading a while back that as well as using a multi metre, there are various psu 'testers' on the market - most of which are under a tenner

Just wondering if its worth? I'd use it now but it would seem like quite a useful thing to keep in the tool box?

 

[soundesciple]

What problems are you getting?

 

[slipd]

What problems are you getting?

The usual; random freezes, reluctance to start (the first cold boot fails, the second one is fine!), windows taking an aeon to load - with various 'not responding' messages along the way...

Its the psu that came with the case, a generic looking p4 500w joby, and I have a e7500 in it now

 

[Marky]

To be honest, if I was you I would march my PSU down to an independent computer shop and ask them to get out their PSU tester and try it I think most stores would be willing to help - If the PSU is kaput they have a chance of a sale, and if it's not then good times

 

[Hagar]

I have one which came as an extra from the etailer when I bought my seasonic PSU. For the sake of a bit over £40 I would buy a 450w 80+ PSU from a branded maker and get rid of the generic one.

 

[slipd]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely try another psu (a decent one!) and would always use a branded one for my own setup, but the machine in question is at work...

Think I might still get one of those tester thingy's, one with an lcd panel probably, they look pretty useful, if they work

 

[Justintime]

They're not really. Might tell you if it comes on and the voltages are somewhat in the ballpark but it tells you nothing about ripple/regulation etc.. i.e the things that really matter when in use, even the motherboard sensors fail dramatically at this and can only really be a good indicator when somethings REALLY off.