Computer power supplies

[isucyfan]

Unplug everything inside and outside the PC and remove the memory. then reattached the power to the MB and turn on. If that doesn't work, look into using a voltage meter to measure one of the power plugs output from the power supply. I would google for that first though.

we want to be sure of what the problem is first before buying/replacing things. It very easily could be the PS, but MBs blow far more often.

-keep.

Still nothing after doing this.

I'm thinking my best bet is pulling the PS and having someone try it out with a device, as was mentioned. If the PS is deemed OK, then I'll know it's probably the motherboard.

I'm debating if I should even fix it or just buy the kiddies a cheap netbook!

 

[pulse]

Do you have another power supply, like in another PC? Pull it out and try that one.

 

[TykeClone]

Still nothing after doing this.

I'm thinking my best bet is pulling the PS and having someone try it out with a device, as was mentioned. If the PS is deemed OK, then I'll know it's probably the motherboard.

I'm debating if I should even fix it or just buy the kiddies a cheap netbook!

Antec - ATX12V Power Supply Tester

I've got one of these and it makes diagnosing power supply issues fairly easy. The good news is that I've seen more power supplies go bad than motherboards (although it still is possible for it to be the motherboard).

I'd just go online and verify your computer uses a standard power supply (HP's I think typically do - Dell's do have some funky nonstandard power supplies sometimes, though) and then grab a decent one.

 

[isucyfan]

Do you have another power supply, like in another PC? Pull it out and try that one.

Actually, I do. I didn't even think of that. It's an ancient Gateway...would there be any problems with compatiblility?

 

[pulse]

Actually, I do. I didn't even think of that. It's an ancient Gateway...would there be any problems with compatiblility?

There could possibly be an issue. You should be able to tell by the connectors. I can't believe all the yahoos on here saying do this and that and nobody mentioned trying another one.

 

[bos]

Actually, I do. I didn't even think of that. It's an ancient Gateway...would there be any problems with compatiblility?

It has to have 24 pin main board connector and the 4 pin connector for the CPU.

 

[isucyfan]

It has to have 24 pin main board connector and the 4 pin connector for the CPU.

I just pulled it...not the same connector to the motherboard.

Worth a try, though.

 

[isucyfan]

Thanks everyone for the help.

I might bump this when I get it figured out, or need more help!

 

[isucyfan]

Just bumping this to wrap up the story...I finally got around to dealing with this.

So, I took the suggestion in this thread to take it to Best Buy and have them test it. That saved me from having to buy a tester. It tested out fine, but the guy said that doesn't necessarily mean it's OK. Weird.

So, he said I could buy one there, and if it didn't work, bring it back for a refund. For the sheer convenience of being able to do just that, I bought one there. I wasn't very optimistic that it would work at that point.

Took it home, fired it up...and ....

SUCCESS!

Thanks for all the help in this thread. I know I would have gotten a better, cheaper power supply elsewhere, but convenience won out in this case. I figure if it works for another 3 years, I'll be happy and not care if it shells out, since it will be time for an upgrade anyway.

 

[cytech]

Just bumping this to wrap up the story...I finally got around to dealing with this.

So, I took the suggestion in this thread to take it to Best Buy and have them test it. That saved me from having to buy a tester. It tested out fine, but the guy said that doesn't necessarily mean it's OK. Weird.

So, he said I could buy one there, and if it didn't work, bring it back for a refund. For the sheer convenience of being able to do just that, I bought one there. I wasn't very optimistic that it would work at that point.

Took it home, fired it up...and ....

SUCCESS!

Thanks for all the help in this thread. I know I would have gotten a better, cheaper power supply elsewhere, but convenience won out in this case. I figure if it works for another 3 years, I'll be happy and not care if it shells out, since it will be time for an upgrade anyway.

If it was one of their Dynex branded power supplies I would recommend getting the better cheaper one from online now so you have it to replace that one in 6 months to a year.