Problem - Power Supply (possibly mobo)

Xibyll · 04-04-2008, 11:26 PM

Ok, I have a problem. My computer was running fine for months, and it's been about a year since I loaded it out with some new, top grade equipment (which no of course was replaced with much more hardcore stuff)

But, this morning, I was awaken by this noise. I could see my computer turning on and off sporadically. I could see this because I have some Cold-cathode white lights on the open window of the case. They were turning on and off like crazy, and it sounded like I could hear sparks. I had left it off the night before, so there was no excuse for this.

I hit the switch on the back, then switched back and tried turning on. Nothing. Won't turn on, and the motherboard light is still off. I did a series of tests to see if I could get it working, and even jsut the PSU with the motherboard will not turn on the mobo light, and the powersupply itself won't work.

So right now, I'm debating whether or not it was my MOBO, or my Power supply. I'd hate to buy one to find out it was the other with the problem, however it may very well be both. I don't have any other power supplies to test the mobo with, nor other mobo setups to test the power supply.

Anybody have any ideas?

I have this loadout:
Power Supply - Hiper Type R 480W
Motherboard - ECS ATI Xpress 200 (socket 939)
Ram - 2x 1gb A-Data sticks
2 HDD's - 1 80gb and 1 320 gb
1 DVDRW Drive
1x ATI Radeon x1950XL
CPU - Athlon 64 X2 2.0GHz

jdellona · 05-04-2008, 06:19 AM

I hope this will work,

Have tried to test if your power supply is still functioning ,if not
detach it on to your system unit and after that find some paper clip
and try to short your power supply.See that twenty four pen chord, look for the color black and green and connect them using the paper clip.The black one is the ground and the green one has it,s 12 V.If you see that this will not
work open the power supply check it circuit fuse if it was busted if else replace a new one(circuit fuse).

Ghostman 1 · 05-04-2008, 02:39 PM

You can test a power supply that way, and it does work.. But make sure the power supply is out of the case and on say a wooded counter top. But I think no matter what, you will need a New power supply...As for it starting up by itself, you probably had it in sleep mode... Or it was a Ghost...

Xibyll · 06-04-2008, 04:26 AM

Hey guys, sorry for being so slow to respond, life's been hectic and I haven't been on a computer for a bit.

Today, I did get to test the power supply, and it did not turn on. So I'm pretty sure the Power Supply is dead. So, now I know I need atleast a new Power Supply, though I'm worried if I'll need a new Mobo or what.

Earlier, upon taking my power supply out, I discovered there was a loose screw tumbling around in the case, and that may have been what caused it to short out.

I have NO idea whether the Mobo is fried or not. And if it is, that's gonna suck. I just hope my HDD's / Ram / VGA is ok.

I know this a bit hard to answer, but does anyone know if my other hardware was at risk?

My worst fear at the moment is having to buy a PSU, wait for it to be delivered, try it out, find my mobo's fried, buy a new mobo, wait for it to be delivered, and to find something else is wrong.

Pretty bummed at the moment, but thanks a ton for the advice, I needed to test it, and I appreciate it.

Oh, and Ghostman, that was also the strange thing about my PSU, it would NOT go on Standby. However, I sometimes set it on standby out of habit, and it will actually 'try', but when you try turning it on, it starts up as if it shutdown. I've heard that it can behave like that if you barely don't have enough voltage, and the computer doesn't have enough current to maintain standby, or maybe I'm wrong, I dunno.

Ghostman 1 · 06-04-2008, 02:41 PM

I never use sleep mode or stand by mode, there is just too many problems in that area that can happen.. I also never use a screen saver....Just some
wallpaper works for me..

04-04-2008, 11:26 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
Xibyll Geek Trainee Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 Status: Offline	Problem - Power Supply (possibly mobo) Ok, I have a problem. My computer was running fine for months, and it's been about a year since I loaded it out with some new, top grade equipment (which no of course was replaced with much more hardcore stuff) But, this morning, I was awaken by this noise. I could see my computer turning on and off sporadically. I could see this because I have some Cold-cathode white lights on the open window of the case. They were turning on and off like crazy, and it sounded like I could hear sparks. I had left it off the night before, so there was no excuse for this. I hit the switch on the back, then switched back and tried turning on. Nothing. Won't turn on, and the motherboard light is still off. I did a series of tests to see if I could get it working, and even jsut the PSU with the motherboard will not turn on the mobo light, and the powersupply itself won't work. So right now, I'm debating whether or not it was my MOBO, or my Power supply. I'd hate to buy one to find out it was the other with the problem, however it may very well be both. I don't have any other power supplies to test the mobo with, nor other mobo setups to test the power supply. Anybody have any ideas? I have this loadout: Power Supply - Hiper Type R 480W Motherboard - ECS ATI Xpress 200 (socket 939) Ram - 2x 1gb A-Data sticks 2 HDD's - 1 80gb and 1 320 gb 1 DVDRW Drive 1x ATI Radeon x1950XL CPU - Athlon 64 X2 2.0GHz

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05-04-2008, 06:19 AM	#2 (permalink) Top
jdellona Geek Trainee Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 Status: Offline	I hope this will work, Have tried to test if your power supply is still functioning ,if not detach it on to your system unit and after that find some paper clip and try to short your power supply.See that twenty four pen chord, look for the color black and green and connect them using the paper clip.The black one is the ground and the green one has it,s 12 V.If you see that this will not work open the power supply check it circuit fuse if it was busted if else replace a new one(circuit fuse).

05-04-2008, 02:39 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
Ghostman 1 Ultra Geek Join Date: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 681 Times Helpful: 31 My Mood: Mellow Status: Offline	You can test a power supply that way, and it does work.. But make sure the power supply is out of the case and on say a wooded counter top. But I think no matter what, you will need a New power supply...As for it starting up by itself, you probably had it in sleep mode... Or it was a Ghost...

06-04-2008, 04:26 AM	#4 (permalink) Top
Xibyll Geek Trainee Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2 Status: Offline	Hey guys, sorry for being so slow to respond, life's been hectic and I haven't been on a computer for a bit. Today, I did get to test the power supply, and it did not turn on. So I'm pretty sure the Power Supply is dead. So, now I know I need atleast a new Power Supply, though I'm worried if I'll need a new Mobo or what. Earlier, upon taking my power supply out, I discovered there was a loose screw tumbling around in the case, and that may have been what caused it to short out. I have NO idea whether the Mobo is fried or not. And if it is, that's gonna suck. I just hope my HDD's / Ram / VGA is ok. I know this a bit hard to answer, but does anyone know if my other hardware was at risk? My worst fear at the moment is having to buy a PSU, wait for it to be delivered, try it out, find my mobo's fried, buy a new mobo, wait for it to be delivered, and to find something else is wrong. Pretty bummed at the moment, but thanks a ton for the advice, I needed to test it, and I appreciate it. Oh, and Ghostman, that was also the strange thing about my PSU, it would NOT go on Standby. However, I sometimes set it on standby out of habit, and it will actually 'try', but when you try turning it on, it starts up as if it shutdown. I've heard that it can behave like that if you barely don't have enough voltage, and the computer doesn't have enough current to maintain standby, or maybe I'm wrong, I dunno.

06-04-2008, 02:41 PM	#5 (permalink) Top
Ghostman 1 Ultra Geek Join Date: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 681 Times Helpful: 31 My Mood: Mellow Status: Offline	I never use sleep mode or stand by mode, there is just too many problems in that area that can happen.. I also never use a screen saver....Just some wallpaper works for me..

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