If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
What are the symptoms of a weak PSU?
I have a 300 watt PSU powering AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512Mb PC3000,
GeForce 6600 GT AGP and a seagate 200 gb sata drive. Nothing else at the moment. Sometimes the computer will just fail to start even though nothing has changed since the last time. I have to clear the CMOS and even then it will sometimes not work. Could my PSU need an upgrade? Regards Dan B |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
The best way to test for PSU problems is to leave everything
in the system, get a multimeter, and take voltage readings. What to measure is listed in "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5 Feb 2004 at http://tinyurl.com/yvbw9 . You readings should appear in the upper 3/4 limits of that chart - especially for 3.3, 5, and 12 volt outputs. This takes but seconds. That to determine if power supply is functioning properly. Next you want to determine if power supply is being overloaded. Just because they printed 300 watts does not mean it really is 300 watts as Tom's Hardware demonstrates in http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/0...021/index.html Furthermore, any one voltage with too much load means the entire power supply has failed. So again, you take that essential 3.5 digit multimeter to measure same voltage as load is increased. For example, write a little *.bat file to read each disk drive repeatedly. One example: :ABC dir c:*.* /s goto abc This file would continuously read directories on the C: drive. Another *.bat file executing simultaneously might read the A: floppy. A third read the CD-ROM. Another might read a disk on another computer via the NIC. Now we have full loading. What happens to the voltages? Do they remain well within those same limits? If yes, the power supply also has sufficient power on each voltage. Notice how quickly a PSU can be verified with confidence not even provided by 'shotgunning' - keep swapping parts until something appears to work. Bottom line - don't start fixing anything. First collect facts to identify the suspect. Even if you don't understand those numbers, still, those number make it possible for the informed to help you. No numbers and no specific facts means you must shotgun. Shotgun is what you scam mechanic does - the guy you never go back to. Get the meter. Use to to see what the entire power supply system is doing as also described in "Computer doesnt start at all" in alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at http://tinyurl.com/2t69q It is how one works smarter and not harder. One also learns that a real 300 watt supply is more than sufficient for most every computer. Don't fall for the Home Improvement concepts of "more power". First see the problem. Dan B wrote: I have a 300 watt PSU powering AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512Mb PC3000, GeForce 6600 GT AGP and a seagate 200 gb sata drive. Nothing else at the moment. Sometimes the computer will just fail to start even though nothing has changed since the last time. I have to clear the CMOS and even then it will sometimes not work. Could my PSU need an upgrade? Regards Dan B |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Dan B" wrote in message ... I have a 300 watt PSU powering AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512Mb PC3000, GeForce 6600 GT AGP and a seagate 200 gb sata drive. Nothing else at the moment. Sometimes the computer will just fail to start even though nothing has changed since the last time. I have to clear the CMOS and even then it will sometimes not work. Could my PSU need an upgrade? What's the make and model of the PS? What is your motherboard? Was that PS working fine in an older system? --- Kevin Chalker, Owner KC COMPUTERS E-mail: Web: www.kc-computers.com Internet dealer since 1991!!! See WWW.RESELLERRATINGS.COM!!! |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Dan B" wrote...
Sometimes the computer will just fail to start even though nothing has changed since the last time. I have to clear the CMOS and even then it will sometimes not work. Could my PSU need an upgrade? Could you have a loose wire or connector somewhere? Could your CMOS battery be dead? Could you have a loose card? |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Yep, that is a joke to run the hardware you have. Go
out and buy an Antec SLK1650B case with $350 watt supply that sources 21 amps on the 12v rail. johns |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
The OP wrote:
I have a 300 watt PSU powering AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512Mb PC3000, GeForce 6600 GT AGP and a seagate 200 gb sata drive. johns wrote: Yep, that is a joke to run the hardware you have. Go out and buy an Antec SLK1650B case with $350 watt supply that sources 21 amps on the 12v rail. How much power does that video card use? With the possible exception of the video card, that system's power demands are meager. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
strange harddisk behaviour due to weak power supply ? | jyrgen | General | 1 | October 6th 04 09:01 PM |
What are the symptoms of an underpowered or weak power supply? | Mac Cool | Homebuilt PC's | 9 | September 3rd 04 07:06 AM |
Weak signal. Wireless router connection | [email protected] | Homebuilt PC's | 3 | August 5th 04 02:19 AM |
Weird CMOS/coin cell symptoms??? | George R. Gonzalez | Homebuilt PC's | 2 | February 5th 04 05:54 PM |
Weak 3dmark 2k3 | Aussie | Overclocking AMD Processors | 29 | September 29th 03 03:27 PM |