PSU Issue with dads PC

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deadman_uk

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jun 30, 2003
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i posted before but I want to explain better and I want to make sure 100% that I know the problem.

Basically when my dad presses the power button on his computer, nothing happens. If he presses it 3 or 4 times it would then power up. Over time this has been getting worse and it use to take 20 or so times of pressing the power button before the PC would power up.

Now you could press the power button 50 times and nothing would happen. The only way to power up the computer is to switch the button at the back of the PSU off and then on again. After you done this pressing the power button on the PC would power the computer up.

My friend said this is a failing PSU and it should be sent back for a replacement (as its under warranty) what do you think?
 
I would agree with your friend. Sounds like whatever contact needs to be made when the switch signal is sent to the PSU is not happening. Unless the power button isn't registering (and I doubt that) it's something with the PSU.
 
Ok well I will probably tell him to send it back and get a replacement but I hope it is faulty or they might charge an admin fee for wasting their time.
 
check the voltages on 5 and 12V rails.. I once had a PSU that would give way too low voltage on those rails and the computer wouldn't start at all at first (it did start after a while, when V raised to approx 4.5V and 10.5V respectively).
 
TheMostWantedPolishTwin said:
check the voltages on 5 and 12V rails.. I once had a PSU that would give way too low voltage on those rails and the computer wouldn't start at all at first (it did start after a while, when V raised to approx 4.5V and 10.5V respectively).
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I have no way of checking the voltage but wouldnt that be classed as faulty anyway? Therefore being covered by the warranty?
 
if it weren't for the cut power, return power, push button thing working I would have said it was the button wearing out. but since that works, it's gotta be the PSU.
 
OK thanks all, I will tell my dad this and try and send it back. If this problem was left unattended, would the PSU one day become totally dead?
 
in the meantime, jump the power connection pinouts on your mobo. if it starts right up, you know the problem is either the switch or the psu.

zv
 
zero_vertical said:
in the meantime, jump the power connection pinouts on your mobo. if it starts right up, you know the problem is either the switch or the psu.

zv
Click to expand...
I am not sure how to do that
 
find where the power button wires run to the motherboard and unplug it. Use something small and metal like a screwdriver and carefully short the two pins that the wires plugged into.
 
^^ what he said.

wherever the case's power button plugs into the motherboard, pull the pinout plugs off, and short those two pins (the ones that were plugged in) you can do it with a screwdriver, or throw a jumper on there. all you're doing is making the connection.

zv
 
I am not at my dads house at the moment but im going there in a few weeks but I knew when I looked before I couldnt find where the power button connected to the motherboard.

I will have another look when I go round there but what do you mean by short? Do I place a screwdriver head at the place where the power button was connected to and do I do this while the pc is powered?
 
yes. put the screwdriver acroos both pins. The system needs to be plugged in and the swtich on the PSU on, but the system powered down, otherwsie how would you know if it works? :) Your doing the exact same thing the power button does, connecting (shorting) the two pins breifly to tell the motherboard to power up the PSU. If this is an OEM machine like HP or Dell or Compaq, you may have some trouble isolating the power pins. usually they silkscreen "PWR SW" onto the motherboard by the right pins so you could look for that too.
 
ryan_975 said:
yes. put the screwdriver acroos both pins. The system needs to be plugged in and the swtich on the PSU on, but the system powered down, otherwsie how would you know if it works? :) Your doing the exact same thing the power button does, connecting (shorting) the two pins breifly to tell the motherboard to power up the PSU. If this is an OEM machine like HP or Dell or Compaq, you may have some trouble isolating the power pins. usually they silkscreen "PWR SW" onto the motherboard by the right pins so you could look for that too.
Click to expand...
and if it powers up first time with the screwdriver, I know its the power button and if not, I know its a bad PSU? Ok no problem, if I can find what I am looking for I should know what the problem is. Thanks everyone!
 
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