Testing & replacing a PC's power supply

If you are experiencing problems such as power-on, startup failures, or lockups; Spontaneous rebooting or intermittent lockups during normal operation; intermittent parity checks or memory type errors; Hard disk and fan simultaneously fail to spin; Over heating due to fan failure; Small brown-outs that cause system resets; Electric shocks from case or connectors; Slight static discharges that disrupts system operation; Erratic recognition of bus-powered USB devices, is a good indication the power supply is bad. Here is how to test and replace the PC's power supply. brownouts

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[CondorRO]

you sound like the guy who sells propane... Hank!

[ESRepair]

@CondorRO  I agree , but lets not insult Hank .

Whizkid

[CHEVYbarracuda1]

I just took the power supply cable and tried to plug it in but it sparked and later on PC didn't turn on...Can somebody tell me what is the problem???

[ESRepair]

@CHEVYbarracuda1 If the PC will not turn on, 1st, check that the Voltage input switch is set to the proper voltage (115VAC or 230VAC) and the power switch is on (if any). Not all PSUs have a Voltage switch because some are automatic. 2nd, remove the motherboard's power plug. Using a test meter, connect it to the GRAY wire and the BLACK wire next to it. The GRAY wire must read between 3VDC and 6VDC (5VDC is typical). This will prevent the PC from starting if the Voltage is not present. -MrFixit

[ButterMeMilkiWay]

mine doesn't have green wire from power supply to test it out

[ESRepair]

@ESRepair  Well , MrFixit ,at least my shirts aren't torn .... But , you do sound like Hank Hill !!!!

[kaleluk31]

@ESRepair the shop i baught the psu from said the psu is a new ish type of psu, instead of blowing air in to the case it sucks hot air out and then out the back and is situated at the top of the psu in the normal place but where the fan faces the cpu

[ESRepair]

@kaleluk31 It follows the ATX form factor. It mounts with 4 screws on the backside near plug and power switch (some PSU have them). The unit sits on a rail inside the PC for support. Your model uses a 120mm fan as to why its on the bottom and mounts the same as in the video. When you open the PC case, you should see a metal bar on the other side of PSU. That's the support rail. It supports the PSU weight. I never thought of showing the rail in the video. -MrFixit

[kaleluk31]

@ESRepair thats just it, i dont know how this psu is fitted in a atx case, cant be the normal way i think/

the fan is a Alpine 750w silent power supply and i have your average standard ATX case

[ESRepair]

@kaleluk31 the fans location should not cause any problem as long the airflow goes outside the PC case and its not in the way of the processor's heatsink. There are 4 screws that mounts the psu to the case. Not all psu follow the same form factor so it may depend on the model. -MrFixit