Test PSU & Dead Comp

[cu2cool]

I was wondering if there was a way to test if you have a faulty or insufficient PSU? Also, If a computer doesn't run/power up, what's the common process of inspecting what's wrong? I'm just asking the second question because I know somebody that had problems with their computer starting and they kept going to CompUSA to get it analyzed/fixed.

I'm guessing that you would check the PSU by using another that works, check the VGA if the display don't work, and lastly... assume that the problem is a borken mobo.

 

[Niksa]

I'm wondering about this also. I just built a system and it won't start up at all - the PSU doesn't seem to get any power. I'm not sure what the problem is, I've checked the connections, all the parts are new, but since I've never built a system part by part, I'm taking it in to a tech store tomorrow to check it out. I've got exams and term papers due all week and next, so I've got no time to troubleshoot atm unfortunately.

But I would like to know what the normal procedure would be to check to see whether a PSU is dead, and how to see why a PSU will not power. That would be really good info to know for the next time I build something.