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FSP 530w issues

P

pvtgoose

Limp Gawd
2FA
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
228
I have just purchased an FSP 530w power supply, and am having issues
with the install. Basically, I have an Antec 380w that needed to be
upgraded for a new video card, so I went with FSP. Basically, I
plugged the Fortron in and it worked.

I then shut down and went to work. On return, the computer would not
start. It is plugged into an APC 900va UPS with regulation, so I don't
think that my source is bad. I plugged in the Antec again, and it
worked just fine. On further examination, the FSP unit spins the fans
and lights the LED on the video card for about half a second before
kicking off. It is so fast that it is inaudible.

I also tried several different outlets in the house, I figured this
may be common. Is there an adjustment to make, or some way I could
test it good?
 
Perhaps there's a short somewhere? I remember reading that floppy drives are known for shorting out everything... worth a try.
 
I dunno, I have unplugged everything but the 4pin and the 20 pin, and still, same thing. CPU and Vid card fans spin and the led on the vid card lights, for about 1/2 a second. The Antec fires right up. It's like there is some sort of delay. Then, the motherboard refuses to try and start the power supply. Literally, I have to unplug and re-plug, and rinse and repeat. The thing that pisses me off is that it worked on the first go!
 
The protection circuitry is tripping - it's real sensitive on these 530's.

Have you done any voltmodding to the board? Have the pots inside the 530w been adjusted at any time in its life, and are you the original owner? Sometimes if these have been adjusted by a previous owner with high power demands and then the unit is sold to someone with less demanding loads, the PSU will all of a sudden output higher voltages and then shut down. Perhaps yours is set just on the edge of tripping the overvolt protection.
 
I believe that could be the case, but the previous owner says he didn't touch it, and I honestly believe him. The package that I got it in has been quite a bit jostled, so I think that may be it. I haven't touched the pots, and since it doesn't kick on, I don't know how I would tell. I have a multitester, but how would you get it to kick on?

And no, no voltmods. I have a pretty but not hugely demanding system. A64, ultra, 3 drives, standard stuff except for the ultra.
 
Does your vid card need extra 12v? What happens if that connector is unplugged? While this PSU is capable of driving a good 12v load, too much 5v can bring it to its limits fairly quick.

I believe if nothing else I would fire it up green wire to black outside the system (or try to), and with a multimeter attached bump up the 5v/12v pot ever so slightly and try it again back in the system. You'll get weird readings with this one unloaded (as in 11v and 6v on the 12v and 5v rail), but that's relatively normal for this oddball unit. I think I'd try and bring the pot up by an increment of .2v at the most. There is an adjustment for the overvolt protection in there, but I'm not sure how to adjust it or what the affects are to doing so.

Remember also - don't adjust the pots with anything metallic if you can help it ;)

I should mention, if you see any evidence the pots have been adjusted (like the glue being broken or out of position), don't raise the 12v/5v any higher - try backing it off instead. The two pots to adjust the voltage are inset on the daughterboard, and smaller than the other three. The one on the end is for 3.3v, and the middle one is 5v/12v. If you're not comfortable messing around in there, sell it and grab something more designed for 12v loads, like the FSP AX500-A.
 
Basically, with only the MB connected, 4 pin and 20 pin, it does not work. Same deal, everything spins/lights for a split second. The rails are where they should be for no load, according to Sparkle. I agree with you, but the techie at sparkle wrote me this:

Hello John,
How many memory modules did you installed?
On the user manul, this MB doesn't support 3 memory module, please check.
Regards,
Click to expand...
So, I am a bit frustrated with him, as that is a BS answer.

This is after getting my full system specs and info, which are
AMD 3000+ winnie
2 sticks of Kingston Hyperx
1 HD
2 Opticals
6800 Ultra (but it does the same thing with a 6800 GT)

I have tried it without the Video card plugged in, with only it and the MB, in like a gazillion different ways.

It is functional though, it does turn on if you close the on pins and flip the switch on (which is what FSP had me do to test it working).

The two pots, also, have not ever been adjusted that I can tell, the glue looks in tact.

I have resisted adjusting them because FSP may warranty it out
John
 
I think at this point, let them replace it if they'll allow it, and if the replacement does the same thing I would conclude this PSU won't do the job for your particular configuration and replace with something 12v oriented.
 
When you say 12v oriented, I take it the BFG that I bought to replace it won't be good enough either? That is the psu that BFG includes in it's double sli pack... I really think something is screwy with the one I recieved, actually, but as you said, we will see.

Thanks for the help!
 
12v oriented, meaning just about everything including CPU and vid card runs off the 12v rail :)

BFG unit... is this their 550w? This unit is a Powertech/Fortron, with dual 18A 12v rails. Essentially a FSP550-60PLN in disguise, it is significantly more capable than the 530w on the 12v line, which is what you'll need. I would be rather shocked indeed if it doesn't power your system.
 
Ah I see... I do believe the BFG 530w is identical to the FSP530-60GNA both you and I have.

Edit - if ever you do get one that works, I'd suggest modding it so that the intake fan is on the outside of the PSU case. That fan blocks an important part of the PSU from getting air, and the PSU gets hotter than it should. Often, the fans spin up unnecessarily. When I did the mod, the fan speeds went down drastically and the PSU runs much cooler. Should also increase its lifespan.

Here's a pic to illustrate: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/Oklawolf/MySystemInside.jpg
 
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