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mike April 6th 04 03:08 PM

Unusual Power supply problem
 
I have a very unusual problem with my power supply that I or noone
else can figure out. here goes;

My wife's computer-motherboard and power supply and cdrom stopped
working I assume some type of surge. I replaced her motherboard and
used a power supply from my computer and got her up and running. No
problems her computer started up right away.

I then bought a new power supply for my computer and installed it. No
problem light on M/B was on but computer would not start up. I tried
checking switch wires etc... and all connections no luck. I thought
maybe the power supply was defective. I even tried it into my wifes
computer and it did not work.

I then bought a new power supply and the same thing happened, it got
power but would not start. I tried it in both computers and no luck.

I then switched the power supply from my wifes computer(my original)
and my computer started right up.

To sum it up, my original supply works in both my computer and my
wifes. I then tried 2 new supplies which did not work in either
computers.

Any help would be appreciated. I am lost.


Thanks,


Mike

Mouse April 6th 04 04:19 PM

Sure your PSU have enough capacity meaning are they at leas of the same
amount of Watts as the old one, as if not sufficiently powerfull, then
very likely they don't allow you to boot (because they cant deliver the
peak current required for the booting).
Also watch out which PSU you buy, there are very cheap ones which are
working, but that's about it, not to say they are crap and will make
your PC unstable and all the like, so buy a brand which is not the
cheapest and has decent values of +5 and +12V current supplies, all of
this depends on the HW of your system, which you don't seem to mention


mike wrote:

I have a very unusual problem with my power supply that I or noone
else can figure out. here goes;

My wife's computer-motherboard and power supply and cdrom stopped
working I assume some type of surge. I replaced her motherboard and
used a power supply from my computer and got her up and running. No
problems her computer started up right away.

I then bought a new power supply for my computer and installed it. No
problem light on M/B was on but computer would not start up. I tried
checking switch wires etc... and all connections no luck. I thought
maybe the power supply was defective. I even tried it into my wifes
computer and it did not work.

I then bought a new power supply and the same thing happened, it got
power but would not start. I tried it in both computers and no luck.

I then switched the power supply from my wifes computer(my original)
and my computer started right up.

To sum it up, my original supply works in both my computer and my
wifes. I then tried 2 new supplies which did not work in either
computers.

Any help would be appreciated. I am lost.


Thanks,


Mike



w_tom April 6th 04 10:17 PM

Same procedure reports what of three subsystem components is / is not
working. Takes but minutes to get necessary information if you come
equipted with necessary tool (3.5 digit multimeter) and knowledge.
Procedure may be found in "Computer doesnt start at all" in
alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at http://tinyurl.com/2t69q using
voltages in table:

Voltage Wire Color Min V Max V
+5 V Red 4.75 V 5.25 V
+12 V Yellow 11.4 V 12.6 V
+3.3 V Orange 3.135 V 3.465 V
+5VSB Purple 4.75 5.25
!Power On Green 0.8 2.0
Power OK Gray 2.4 when power is good

or in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

With numerical data, then reason for problem is isolated to
motherboard, power supply, or power switch. Or the power supply
subsystem is found to be OK meaning we move on to other 'usual'
suspects.

(mike) wrote in message . com...
I have a very unusual problem with my power supply that I or noone
else can figure out. here goes;

My wife's computer-motherboard and power supply and cdrom stopped
working I assume some type of surge. I replaced her motherboard and
used a power supply from my computer and got her up and running. No
problems her computer started up right away.

I then bought a new power supply for my computer and installed it. No
problem light on M/B was on but computer would not start up. I tried
checking switch wires etc... and all connections no luck. I thought
maybe the power supply was defective. I even tried it into my wifes
computer and it did not work.

I then bought a new power supply and the same thing happened, it got
power but would not start. I tried it in both computers and no luck.

I then switched the power supply from my wifes computer(my original)
and my computer started right up.

To sum it up, my original supply works in both my computer and my
wifes. I then tried 2 new supplies which did not work in either
computers.

Any help would be appreciated. I am lost.


Thanks,


Mike


mike April 7th 04 05:19 AM

To clear up some questions you have, the power supply that is not
working is a 550w achieve. It gets a green light on M/B but will not
power up. I read the post that was referred in reply but it was not
clear to me on how to troubleshoot. if someone can direct me to
another location or site that explains it more clearer.

it is a little frustating because i do not know anything about how to
diagnose the problem. It is also strange that the power supply does
not work in both of my computers. I have a feeling that the problem
is something minor and when i figure it out i will be slapping myself
in the head.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate the
assistance.


Thanks,

Mike













(w_tom) wrote in message . com...
Same procedure reports what of three subsystem components is / is not
working. Takes but minutes to get necessary information if you come
equipted with necessary tool (3.5 digit multimeter) and knowledge.
Procedure may be found in "Computer doesnt start at all" in
alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q using
voltages in table:

Voltage Wire Color Min V Max V
+5 V Red 4.75 V 5.25 V
+12 V Yellow 11.4 V 12.6 V
+3.3 V Orange 3.135 V 3.465 V
+5VSB Purple 4.75 5.25
!Power On Green 0.8 2.0
Power OK Gray 2.4 when power is good

or in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

With numerical data, then reason for problem is isolated to
motherboard, power supply, or power switch. Or the power supply
subsystem is found to be OK meaning we move on to other 'usual'
suspects.

(mike) wrote in message . com...
I have a very unusual problem with my power supply that I or noone
else can figure out. here goes;

My wife's computer-motherboard and power supply and cdrom stopped
working I assume some type of surge. I replaced her motherboard and
used a power supply from my computer and got her up and running. No
problems her computer started up right away.

I then bought a new power supply for my computer and installed it. No
problem light on M/B was on but computer would not start up. I tried
checking switch wires etc... and all connections no luck. I thought
maybe the power supply was defective. I even tried it into my wifes
computer and it did not work.

I then bought a new power supply and the same thing happened, it got
power but would not start. I tried it in both computers and no luck.

I then switched the power supply from my wifes computer(my original)
and my computer started right up.

To sum it up, my original supply works in both my computer and my
wifes. I then tried 2 new supplies which did not work in either
computers.

Any help would be appreciated. I am lost.


Thanks,


Mike


w_tom April 7th 04 06:20 PM

Diagnosis procedure is in both newsgroup discussions. Both are chock
full of information which means it must be read multiple times before
it makes sense. Your solution starts with that all so essential 3.5
digit multimeter. Buy it. Don't even ask why. Just buy it to solve
electrical problems.

Green light does not even say that power supply is outputting
(sufficient) voltage. Green light tells us nothing. Until multimeter
and information in those other posts is used, then no one can provide
useful informaton to solve your problem.

BTW, you did remove all power cords from wall before changing
anything - right? If not, then further damage could have resulted.

Don't understand why you provided that 550w number. It tells us
nothing. Again, provided are charts with upper and lower limits. Get
a meter to compare measured numbers to numbers in chart. Furthermore,
550w implies the person who bought power supplies is computer
illiterate. The computer should be working just fine with a 250w
power supply. To hype their inferior product, then many clone power
supply manufacturers even inflate that wattage number to 500+ - rather
than sell a supply with other essential functions. To sell on price,
they simply forget to include those other essential functions. Your
power supply is either more than too large - or has serious problems.
Either way, the multimeter would have discovered the problem and made
a solution simple.

Get the meter. Follow those already cited diagnostic procedures at
http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa or http://tinyurl.com/2t69q


(mike) wrote in message . com...
To clear up some questions you have, the power supply that is not
working is a 550w achieve. It gets a green light on M/B but will not
power up. I read the post that was referred in reply but it was not
clear to me on how to troubleshoot. if someone can direct me to
another location or site that explains it more clearer.

it is a little frustating because i do not know anything about how to
diagnose the problem. It is also strange that the power supply does
not work in both of my computers. I have a feeling that the problem
is something minor and when i figure it out i will be slapping myself
in the head.


jamotto April 8th 04 04:44 AM

(mike) wrote in message . com...
To clear up some questions you have, the power supply that is not
working is a 550w achieve. It gets a green light on M/B but will not
power up. I read the post that was referred in reply but it was not
clear to me on how to troubleshoot. if someone can direct me to
another location or site that explains it more clearer.

it is a little frustating because i do not know anything about how to
diagnose the problem. It is also strange that the power supply does
not work in both of my computers. I have a feeling that the problem
is something minor and when i figure it out i will be slapping myself
in the head.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate the
assistance.


Thanks,

Mike













(w_tom) wrote in message . com...
Same procedure reports what of three subsystem components is / is not
working. Takes but minutes to get necessary information if you come
equipted with necessary tool (3.5 digit multimeter) and knowledge.
Procedure may be found in "Computer doesnt start at all" in
alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q using
voltages in table:

Voltage Wire Color Min V Max V
+5 V Red 4.75 V 5.25 V
+12 V Yellow 11.4 V 12.6 V
+3.3 V Orange 3.135 V 3.465 V
+5VSB Purple 4.75 5.25
!Power On Green 0.8 2.0
Power OK Gray 2.4 when power is good

or in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

With numerical data, then reason for problem is isolated to
motherboard, power supply, or power switch. Or the power supply
subsystem is found to be OK meaning we move on to other 'usual'
suspects.

Here is what the power plug pinout should look like

clip that holds the Power Supply connector on is in this
direction "-" the pin layout/voltages should be as follows

12V : 5V
5VSB : 5V
PW-OK: -5V
GND : GND
5V : GND
GND : GND
5V : PS-ON -
GND : GND
3.3V : -12V
3.3V : 3.3V

hope this helps

mike April 8th 04 04:30 PM

(jamotto) wrote in message om...
(mike) wrote in message . com...
To clear up some questions you have, the power supply that is not
working is a 550w achieve. It gets a green light on M/B but will not
power up. I read the post that was referred in reply but it was not
clear to me on how to troubleshoot. if someone can direct me to
another location or site that explains it more clearer.

it is a little frustating because i do not know anything about how to
diagnose the problem. It is also strange that the power supply does

I tested the power supply with the multimeter and the only reading I
got is with the purple wire which fell within the range of 4.75 to
5.25. I did not get any reading from any of the other pin's.








not work in both of my computers. I have a feeling that the problem
is something minor and when i figure it out i will be slapping myself
in the head.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate the
assistance.


Thanks,

Mike













(w_tom) wrote in message . com...
Same procedure reports what of three subsystem components is / is not
working. Takes but minutes to get necessary information if you come
equipted with necessary tool (3.5 digit multimeter) and knowledge.
Procedure may be found in "Computer doesnt start at all" in
alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q using
voltages in table:

Voltage Wire Color Min V Max V
+5 V Red 4.75 V 5.25 V
+12 V Yellow 11.4 V 12.6 V
+3.3 V Orange 3.135 V 3.465 V
+5VSB Purple 4.75 5.25
!Power On Green 0.8 2.0
Power OK Gray 2.4 when power is good

or in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

With numerical data, then reason for problem is isolated to
motherboard, power supply, or power switch. Or the power supply
subsystem is found to be OK meaning we move on to other 'usual'
suspects.

Here is what the power plug pinout should look like

clip that holds the Power Supply connector on is in this
direction "-" the pin layout/voltages should be as follows

12V : 5V
5VSB : 5V
PW-OK: -5V
GND : GND
5V : GND
GND : GND
5V : PS-ON -
GND : GND
3.3V : -12V
3.3V : 3.3V

hope this helps


mike April 8th 04 04:55 PM

The green wire also tested at just about 3.0. displayed below said the
max should be 2.0. Hope this and previous post will give more insight.
None of the other pins gave any reading on meter.




(jamotto) wrote in message om...
(mike) wrote in message . com...
To clear up some questions you have, the power supply that is not
working is a 550w achieve. It gets a green light on M/B but will not
power up. I read the post that was referred in reply but it was not
clear to me on how to troubleshoot. if someone can direct me to
another location or site that explains it more clearer.

it is a little frustating because i do not know anything about how to
diagnose the problem. It is also strange that the power supply does
not work in both of my computers. I have a feeling that the problem
is something minor and when i figure it out i will be slapping myself
in the head.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate the
assistance.


Thanks,

Mike













(w_tom) wrote in message . com...
Same procedure reports what of three subsystem components is / is not
working. Takes but minutes to get necessary information if you come
equipted with necessary tool (3.5 digit multimeter) and knowledge.
Procedure may be found in "Computer doesnt start at all" in
alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q using
voltages in table:

Voltage Wire Color Min V Max V
+5 V Red 4.75 V 5.25 V
+12 V Yellow 11.4 V 12.6 V
+3.3 V Orange 3.135 V 3.465 V
+5VSB Purple 4.75 5.25
!Power On Green 0.8 2.0
Power OK Gray 2.4 when power is good

or in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

With numerical data, then reason for problem is isolated to
motherboard, power supply, or power switch. Or the power supply
subsystem is found to be OK meaning we move on to other 'usual'
suspects.

Here is what the power plug pinout should look like

clip that holds the Power Supply connector on is in this
direction "-" the pin layout/voltages should be as follows

12V : 5V
5VSB : 5V
PW-OK: -5V
GND : GND
5V : GND
GND : GND
5V : PS-ON -
GND : GND
3.3V : -12V
3.3V : 3.3V

hope this helps



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