[SOLVED] Is it the PSU?

cetkat · 05-27-2009, 02:24 PM

Apparently, my sister's computer started randomly turning itself off & my father, thinking it was because of Windows, tried to do a clean install. However.. it kept turning off prior to being able to get past the Install/Recovery Console option menu.

So I finally got to take a look at it (after he gave up) and noticed that:

a) The PSU is only 300W
b) The 12V line is putting out ~10V
c) Two of the fans have difficulty starting up

and

d) the point where it's turning off is when the CD drive fully revs up when the clean install is selected

At this point the case is open and the important fans next to the processor and hard drive are working, so I don't think it's an issue of overheating (especially since it's only on for about a minute before it stops). Am I right in thinking that a new PSU is in order?

**simpswr** · 05-27-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetkat

:

Am I right in thinking that a new PSU is in order?

You are right!!

cetkat · 05-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Heh.. thanks! I figured as much, but I wanted some backup for when I tell him he needs to spend money on it..lol.

**simpswr** · 05-27-2009, 04:18 PM

See this when you are deciding on which P/S to buy . .

Power Supply Information and Selection

jrockpunk1 · 05-28-2009, 08:26 AM

can you post some specs please? 300W is usually quite low even for some average desktop systems.

05-27-2009, 02:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
cetkat Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 211 OS: XP SP3	[SOLVED] Is it the PSU? Apparently, my sister's computer started randomly turning itself off & my father, thinking it was because of Windows, tried to do a clean install. However.. it kept turning off prior to being able to get past the Install/Recovery Console option menu. So I finally got to take a look at it (after he gave up) and noticed that: a) The PSU is only 300W b) The 12V line is putting out ~10V c) Two of the fans have difficulty starting up and d) the point where it's turning off is when the CD drive fully revs up when the clean install is selected At this point the case is open and the important fans next to the processor and hard drive are working, so I don't think it's an issue of overheating (especially since it's only on for about a minute before it stops). Am I right in thinking that a new PSU is in order?

05-27-2009, 03:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
cetkat Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 211 OS: XP SP3	Re: Is it the PSU? Heh.. thanks! I figured as much, but I wanted some backup for when I tell him he needs to spend money on it..lol.

05-27-2009, 04:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,207 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: [SOLVED] Is it the PSU? See this when you are deciding on which P/S to buy . . Power Supply Information and Selection __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

05-28-2009, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
jrockpunk1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 494 OS: winXP My System	Re: [SOLVED] Is it the PSU? can you post some specs please? 300W is usually quite low even for some average desktop systems.