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Bad power supply?

L

Lucid003

n00b
Joined
Sep 24, 2005
Messages
7
I really hope I'm posting this in the right place.

I'll start from the beginning.
Yesterday I came downstairs to find my computer off (I had left it on), but the power LED was still on. I turned the computer back on, typed for a bit, and then it just shut off. The power LED was still on. I tried it one more time, and the same thing happened.

Then, when I tried it again, it wouldn't turn on at all. The motherboard light was on, but that's it. When I tried to turn it on, some of the fans would briefly start, but didn't even last half a second. I decided to leave it alone for the night, and try again today.

So, about 20 minutes ago, I tried to turn my computer on. Nothing (except the motherboard light, again). Well, I tried a few more times and it actually turned on. Everything loaded up, and it got to windows. Well, I had something else to do, so I did that. When I came back, the computer was off except for the power LED. Tried to turn it back on, and nothing (except the mobo light).

I believe the problem is my power supply. Here's a little bit of history: When I turn my computer on, everything gets power, but the computer doesn't beep (POST or motherboard beep?) and the monitor doesn't switch on (it stays in the mode where the LED blinks, waiting for a signal). So I have to wait a little while (10-30 seconds) and hit the reset button, at which point it will work just fine. It's been doing this since the computer was built.

Here is a link to the case and powersupply I bought. It's cheap and the reviews do NOT speak kindly of the power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811145047

One more little bit of detail: When I try to turn the computer on now, the green power LED will not turn on, though the motherboard light does. The green LED will only be on if the computer starts, and will stay on after the computer dies.

All I really want to know is if this sounds like a power supply problem (or something else), and some advice on what I can do... or if I have to buy another power supply.
 
sounds like a power supply issue to me... had something simular happen on my rig... it would power down the the case power light would flash.... then turn off
 
davidhammock200 said:
You are very lucky that this POS PSU has not damaged your system. ;)

What are your system specs?
Click to expand...
I'll just copy it straight from my newegg invoice :)

AOpen AK86-L Socket 754 VIA K8T800 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Newcastle 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model ADA3000AXBOX - Retail
2x pqi POWER Series 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model MD4412UOE - Retail
EXCELSTOR J680 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
SAMSUNG Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model TS-H352A/WBGH - OEM
PNY GeForce 6800GT
 
Lucid003 said:
Ok, and assuming that the power supply is the problem, would this be an acceptable replacement?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148008
Click to expand...

Why does everyone around here ASSUME things? It amazed me.

You're only marginally better than the Powmax there, but for $58 you can do better.

I think in that price range you should consider (if you shop at Newegg:)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103440

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817101513

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817101111

I just don't see what the Aspire actually OFFERS you. Sure, it has a high 12V rail.. and it can actually pull that kind of a load off. But I think you might see some more longevity, stable rails, etc. out of one of these other power supplies. Just my .02. ;)
 
Yeah. He doesn't agree with the second and fourth because he doesn't have any buddies that are running DFI's with them. :rolleyes: :p

Hmm.. I think the medication is actually working. Better sign off and go to work. :p
 
jonnyGURU said:
Why does everyone around here ASSUME things? It amazed me.
Click to expand...
I assumed it because of the first reply in the thread (and partially because of the second), and all the reviews of my current power supply.

Also, thanks for the recommendations, I'm definetely going to be buying one of those if the power supply is the problem. Which leads me to the original question: Does it sound like my power supply is the problem?

Oh, and I gave it another try last night (had to write a program for class) and the computer turned on... but about 5 minutes later, it died again (with the green power LED still on).

Thanks for the help, everyone. I appreciate it very much.
 
Lucid003 said:
Also, thanks for the recommendations, I'm definetely going to be buying one of those if the power supply is the problem. Which leads me to the original question: Does it sound like my power supply is the problem?
Click to expand...

I think it's most likely the PSU. It sounds like only some, not all, of the voltages are being provided. Thus the LED's, sometimes fans, but no post, etc.

The PC should shut down with over or under voltage protection. But I've found that Powmax's don't (read: http://www.slcentral.com/powmax-demon-580w-psu/) even if they advertise they do. Then again, their power supplies barely do 300W when they're advertised as 580W's. ;)

It could be a problematic motherboard, though.

REGARDLESS, replace the power supply. I don't say this often. Usually, even if someone has a working Coolmax, Aspire, Rosewill or something that's just borderline, I'll say it may not be a PSU issue and if the PSU is working why replace it. Just "borrow" one to help with the troubleshooting process. But Powmax power supplies are so notorious I think it would just be in your best interest to distance yourself from it as much as possible.
 
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