Trouble shoot power supply....

EquiNOX · 08-12-2008, 05:15 PM

Situation:
My PC won't power up when I hit power button, The plug is secure at back of PSU and from wall outlet... I open up case and unscrew power supply so can trouble shoot.

I add a jumper wire on 20 pins connector PSU from Pin 14 Green (PWR_ON) wire to Pin 5 Black (GND) wire in order for me to see if Power will work without needing to attach to motherboard...

I plug it and no power is running....

Question:
Is this a good way to troubleshoot PSU??? If not, what would you recommend on best way to trouble shoot PSU without damaging my Mobo?

**linderman** · 08-12-2008, 06:03 PM

Test your power supply with a multi meter

EquiNOX · 08-12-2008, 07:20 PM

DMM or Analog Meter??? Would that be worthless if PSU doesn't run at all.

As I mentioned earlier post, When powering up system... PSU doesn't run, no fan spinning or hearing humming. To determine if its PSU or Mobo problems I must add jumper.. PSU doesn't run either with Jumper

What does it tell? Bad PSU or a bad mobo... I am not even sure why I need DMM meter to anaylize or troubleshoot my issue?

**linderman** · 08-12-2008, 07:34 PM

if you install a jumper wire or paper clip from the green wire on the main 20pin or 24pin connector to any black wire / then plug the PSU into the wall power with the switch on the psu turned on ....... the PSU fan should spin to life .......... you should also at that time be able to test for 3.3volt / 5.0volt / 12volt at the leads ...... thats what the multimeter is for !

doesnt matter digital or analog

but how can you tell how much voltage is present at the leads ..... if any ?????? without a meter ?

if the PSU doesnt spin to life ...... then its completely dead

but most of the time the PSU will show signs of life ..... but not ALL Life

often times the 3.3volt or 5volt will be dead or even the 12volt at the cpu connector will be dead

its not JUST a pass / fail endeavor usually

kinda like a car ....... maybe the motor runs but if all the tires are flat you aint going far !!

EquiNOX · 08-12-2008, 08:29 PM

Thanks for clarification, I've just looked at it... Its completely dead.... The +3.3 V line reads +0.2 V, The +5V line reads 0 V, that goes for 12 v line too...

**linderman** · 08-12-2008, 08:42 PM

yeah; thats a dead horse alright

08-12-2008, 05:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
EquiNOX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 170 OS: Win 7 Ultimate x64	Trouble shoot power supply.... Situation: My PC won't power up when I hit power button, The plug is secure at back of PSU and from wall outlet... I open up case and unscrew power supply so can trouble shoot. I add a jumper wire on 20 pins connector PSU from Pin 14 Green (PWR_ON) wire to Pin 5 Black (GND) wire in order for me to see if Power will work without needing to attach to motherboard... I plug it and no power is running.... Question: Is this a good way to troubleshoot PSU??? If not, what would you recommend on best way to trouble shoot PSU without damaging my Mobo?

08-12-2008, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,433 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trouble shoot power supply.... Test your power supply with a multi meter __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

08-12-2008, 07:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
EquiNOX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 170 OS: Win 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Trouble shoot power supply.... DMM or Analog Meter??? Would that be worthless if PSU doesn't run at all. As I mentioned earlier post, When powering up system... PSU doesn't run, no fan spinning or hearing humming. To determine if its PSU or Mobo problems I must add jumper.. PSU doesn't run either with Jumper What does it tell? Bad PSU or a bad mobo... I am not even sure why I need DMM meter to anaylize or troubleshoot my issue?

08-12-2008, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,433 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trouble shoot power supply.... if you install a jumper wire or paper clip from the green wire on the main 20pin or 24pin connector to any black wire / then plug the PSU into the wall power with the switch on the psu turned on ....... the PSU fan should spin to life .......... you should also at that time be able to test for 3.3volt / 5.0volt / 12volt at the leads ...... thats what the multimeter is for ! doesnt matter digital or analog but how can you tell how much voltage is present at the leads ..... if any ?????? without a meter ? if the PSU doesnt spin to life ...... then its completely dead but most of the time the PSU will show signs of life ..... but not ALL Life often times the 3.3volt or 5volt will be dead or even the 12volt at the cpu connector will be dead its not JUST a pass / fail endeavor usually kinda like a car ....... maybe the motor runs but if all the tires are flat you aint going far !! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 08-12-2008 at 07:35 PM.

08-12-2008, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
EquiNOX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 170 OS: Win 7 Ultimate x64	Re: Trouble shoot power supply.... Thanks for clarification, I've just looked at it... Its completely dead.... The +3.3 V line reads +0.2 V, The +5V line reads 0 V, that goes for 12 v line too... Last edited by EquiNOX; 08-12-2008 at 08:42 PM.

08-12-2008, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,433 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trouble shoot power supply.... yeah; thats a dead horse alright __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial