Power supply shot?

Aleksandar · 10-16-2008, 12:21 PM

I just made a new system a couple of weeks ago. Here's the build:

Intel Q9450
Asus Rampage Formula
4 GB RAM
Visiontek HD4850
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme

Today I had left it on to do some encoding while I went to make some lunch for the kids. When I got back to check on the status of the encode I saw that computer was off along with everything attached to the surge protector; when I looked I saw that switch to the surge protector had been turned off. I turned it back on and everything came back on except the computer. All the LEDs on the motherboard are blinking at a steady rate; also, the LED on a USB tuner I have connected to the computer is blinking in time with the motherboard. I tried turning the power supply off and turning it back on, pressing the power and reset buttons on the motherboard, and holding down the power button on my tower. Nothing has an effect and the lights continue to blink. Is it safe to say PSU is shot? I have a hard time believing a power loss would do that.

**UPDATE**
Well, the whole time I was writing this post I had the PSU turned off. I went back to it and flipped on again and all the lights came on steady. I pressed the power button and the fans started spinning for about a second and then everything powered down. About three to four seconds after that everything powered up again and the computer went on to boot. So I guess everything is good for now.

**wrench97** · 10-16-2008, 01:00 PM

Sometimes after a power outage you need to unplug the power cord and press and hold the power button to discharge the capacitors then replug and restart.

Aleksandar · 03-20-2009, 03:38 PM

Well, the same thing happened again.

Was doing some cleaning and snagged the power cord to the surge protector and pulled it out of the wall. My computer had been off at the time so I didn't think much of it. When I plugged the surge protector back in though, everything started blinking. This time though, I've not been able to get it to boot again. Anyone have any ideas?

**wrench97** · 03-20-2009, 03:53 PM

Try plugging it directly into the wall disconnect all usb devices except the keyboard and mouse if they are usb.

Aleksandar · 03-20-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Try plugging it directly into the wall disconnect all usb devices except the keyboard and mouse if they are usb.

You are the man!

I had the PSU switched off and the power cable out while I was at work the past five hours. Came home, read your post, did what you said, and it booted up just like in my original post. Everything came on for a second, powered down for 3 or 4 seconds, and then booted up normally. I shut it down, then just because I was curious, I plugged it back into surge protector. Again, no problems, and it booted up fine.

I'd love to hear the logic behind this tactic. I'm curious to know why this worked. Also, is it safe to plug in my non-essential USB goodies again?

Thanks again.

**wrench97** · 03-21-2009, 02:27 AM

Yes, but what do you have plugged into the usb ports?
I would also take a close look at the surge protector it may be failing.

Aleksandar · 07-13-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Yes, but what do you have plugged into the usb ports?
I would also take a close look at the surge protector it may be failing.

Hope those no rules against necro'ing but I just thought I'd post the final solution to this problem in case anyone ever comes across it in a search.

Yesterday I unplugged my computer for about an hour to clean out the dust. When I plugged it back in the same issue happened as described above. Somewhat remembering wrench97's advice, I unplugged it from the surge protector, plugged it directly into the wall, and pressed the power button. The issue was still there.

I plugged it back in to the surge protector and tried again. Still nothing. Then I remembered that I had to unplug any extra USB devices. The only thing I had plugged in was the OnAir USB HDTV tuner which I mentioned in my original post (it was blinking in time with the computer). With the computer still plugged in to the surge protector, I unplugged the tuner and tried the computer again. This time it came on with no problem.

So, it appears that the tuner is what causes the issue. Am I correct in guessing it acts as too much of a draw on the PSU for it to start? Or is one or the other defective?

**wrench97** · 07-13-2009, 04:53 PM

It could be either, but the draw from the tuner should be limited to the USB Spec which would make me think the PSU either isn't large enough(the PCP&C 750 certianly should be) for the start up load when using the usb tuner or that it is starting to fail.

Take a quick look in the Bios on the PC Health page for the voltage readings.

Aleksandar · 07-13-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

It could be either, but the draw from the tuner should be limited to the USB Spec which would make me think the PSU either isn't large enough(the PCP&C 750 certianly should be) for the start up load when using the usb tuner or that it is starting to fail.

Take a quick look in the Bios on the PC Health page for the voltage readings.

Before I do that, I forgot to mention that my cable line first goes to an amplifier, and then to the tuner. The amplifier requires an external power supply but I don't have it plugged in. Could the amplifier be drawing off the USB?

**wrench97** · 07-13-2009, 05:25 PM

It could be drawing from the tuner which in turn draws from the USB, Another thought just like an external hard drive it may be wise to run the tuner off an powered USB hub that way it will not draw any power from the PC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817364017

Aleksandar · 07-13-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

It could be drawing from the tuner which in turn draws from the USB, Another thought just like an external hard drive it may be wise to run the tuner off an powered USB hub that way it will not draw any power from the PC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817364017

Great idea. Can't thank you enough for all the help.

10-16-2008, 12:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Aleksandar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate 64-Bit	Power supply shot? I just made a new system a couple of weeks ago. Here's the build: Intel Q9450 Asus Rampage Formula 4 GB RAM Visiontek HD4850 PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme Today I had left it on to do some encoding while I went to make some lunch for the kids. When I got back to check on the status of the encode I saw that computer was off along with everything attached to the surge protector; when I looked I saw that switch to the surge protector had been turned off. I turned it back on and everything came back on except the computer. All the LEDs on the motherboard are blinking at a steady rate; also, the LED on a USB tuner I have connected to the computer is blinking in time with the motherboard. I tried turning the power supply off and turning it back on, pressing the power and reset buttons on the motherboard, and holding down the power button on my tower. Nothing has an effect and the lights continue to blink. Is it safe to say PSU is shot? I have a hard time believing a power loss would do that. UPDATE Well, the whole time I was writing this post I had the PSU turned off. I went back to it and flipped on again and all the lights came on steady. I pressed the power button and the fans started spinning for about a second and then everything powered down. About three to four seconds after that everything powered up again and the computer went on to boot. So I guess everything is good for now. Last edited by Aleksandar; 10-16-2008 at 12:32 PM.

10-16-2008, 01:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,744 OS: Win7	Re: Power supply shot? Sometimes after a power outage you need to unplug the power cord and press and hold the power button to discharge the capacitors then replug and restart. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-20-2009, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aleksandar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate 64-Bit	Re: Power supply shot? Well, the same thing happened again. Was doing some cleaning and snagged the power cord to the surge protector and pulled it out of the wall. My computer had been off at the time so I didn't think much of it. When I plugged the surge protector back in though, everything started blinking. This time though, I've not been able to get it to boot again. Anyone have any ideas?

03-20-2009, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,744 OS: Win7	Re: Power supply shot? Try plugging it directly into the wall disconnect all usb devices except the keyboard and mouse if they are usb. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

03-21-2009, 02:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,744 OS: Win7	Re: Power supply shot? Yes, but what do you have plugged into the usb ports? I would also take a close look at the surge protector it may be failing. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-13-2009, 04:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,744 OS: Win7	Re: Power supply shot? It could be either, but the draw from the tuner should be limited to the USB Spec which would make me think the PSU either isn't large enough(the PCP&C 750 certianly should be) for the start up load when using the usb tuner or that it is starting to fail. Take a quick look in the Bios on the PC Health page for the voltage readings. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-13-2009, 05:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,744 OS: Win7	Re: Power supply shot? It could be drawing from the tuner which in turn draws from the USB, Another thought just like an external hard drive it may be wise to run the tuner off an powered USB hub that way it will not draw any power from the PC. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817364017 __________________ Power Supply and Selection