Testing a PSU

voodooflux

voodooflux

voodooflux

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My son has a an Antec Sonata II with a SmartPower 450W PSU, and the latter seems to be dead (there is a light on the motherboard but powering on just results in a half turn of the fans and then nothing).

An RMA has been raised for the PSU, but I just wanted to check it with nothing else connected. Unfortunately I've already removed the PSU from the case and disconnected everything, so I need to reconnect it so I can power it on via the power switch on the case. Typically I've gone and lost the motherboard schematics, so what connector should I be looking at on the PSU to reattach to the motherboard?

Hope this makes sense.

cheers
v.f.
 
No need to test anything.
Those PSUs, along other old CWT made Antecs, are ticking time bombs in any case (and normally expire with some special effects) so getting real PSU would be sensible.
 
Thanks for the review, I wasn't aware they came with free fireworks - ours seemed to die fairly gracefully. The PSU came with the case, and the system isn't particurlarly powerful so if we can get it replaced then it should keep him ticking along for a while. Any advice on the connector?
 
If PSU doesn't start when green wire from motherboard's power cable is shorted to ground then PSU is clearly dead (except for 5Vsb part) so not much use for putting it back.

Antec probably doesn't have those old models in stock and repairing would be rather expensive so they'll probably replace it with newer Seasonic made PSU.
 
EsaT said:
If PSU doesn't start when green wire from motherboard's power cable is shorted to ground then PSU is clearly dead (except for 5Vsb part) so not much use for putting it back.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that, but it's a bit over my head unfortunately. Apologies in advance for what might be a noob question, but how would I go about the test you describe?

From my description of the problem in the OP, would my conclusion about the PSU being at fault be correct given that there is a light on the motherboard (I'm starting to wonder whether this could be a fault with motherboard instead.)

EsaT said:
Antec probably doesn't have those old models in stock and repairing would be rather expensive so they'll probably replace it with newer Seasonic made PSU.
Click to expand...

Fine with me :)
 
Get a paper clip and unplug the mobo power plug. Use the paperclip between the green lead and any black lead (nearest one is best).

If the fans and the hard drives whir into action then probably nothing wrong with your psu (although not guranteed)

However, should nothing happen then it's a dead psu.
 
voodooflux said:
Cheers for that, but it's a bit over my head unfortunately. Apologies in advance for what might be a noob question, but how would I go about the test you describe?
Click to expand...
Just doesn't connect anything to PSU... maybe except fan in Molex. (can indicate starting of PSU)
Motherboard tells PSU to start up by connecting green wire to ground so you can do same and cheat PSU to think it's connected to PC telling it to start.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#Power_supply

PSU stays on as long as green wire is connected to ground.
(some first high efficiency PSUs had minimum load for staying on but these CWT Antecs don't belong to them)
 
Just wanted to say thanks for the advice chaps - I did the test you suggested and the fan on the PSU just stuttered repeatedly, and there was nothing but a very initial movement of the case fan I connected it to. The PSU will be winging its way back for replacement shortly.
 
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