[SOLVED] Bad Power supply? Please help

robertin75 · 10-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Hello:

I have a Windows XP PC:

- Pentium 4
- 512 MB RAM
- 1 32 GB HD
- 1 floppy disk drive
- AsRock Motherboard P4VM900

Yesterday the computer died. When trying to power it up with the power button it simply didn't do anything.

I went to a computer's shop and bought a new 350W power supply but to my surprise the computer is still dead

Do you guys think that I may need a more powerful power supply? The computer shop has 350W and 500W but I thought that 350W would be enough.

Or maybe it's not the power supply in the first place?

Is there any way to test the new and old power supplies? I don't have any electronic equipment like multimeters.

If I connect the power supply directly to the power outlet with nothing connected should the fan start?

Thanks and help is greatly appreciated

**Tyree** · 10-02-2009, 08:38 PM

What graphics are you using? Onboard or a dedicated graphics card?
A good quality PSU would be enough for Onboard graphics.
What Brand & Model 350W PSU did you purchase?
The PSU needs a load to operate. You can plug a case cooling fan into one of the 4 pin Molex connectors for a load and the PSU cooling fan should run.

robertin75 · 10-02-2009, 08:47 PM

I don't have the PSU with me but I think it's like the following:

Axix model LC-B450ATX
Input 115V-230V, 10A-6A,50Hz-60Hz

I bought a similar one last year.

Graphics, Audio and LAN are all on board.

I'll try to connect the PSU to the cooling fan and see if it works.

Does this sound like a PSU problem or could it be a dead motherboard?

I'm not sure but I think that if the motherboard was bad the PSU should at least show some signs of life like the cooling fan spinning.

Thanks

robertin75 · 10-03-2009, 07:54 AM

What do you guys think of my last reply?

Thnks

**greenbrucelee** · 10-03-2009, 10:59 AM

well you should be ok with a low wattage good brand psu but since I have never heard of that brand of psu then I assume it is crap.

Go into your bios and post your voltages and temperatures please.

**Tyree** · 10-03-2009, 11:08 AM

I would agree the PSU is probably a low quality unit.

@greenbrucelee
robertin75 can't get into the Bios...the PC won't power on.

robertin75 · 10-03-2009, 11:31 AM

Unfortunately I cannot get into the BIOS as the computer never turns on.

I press the power up button and nothing, everything's dead.

Shouldn't the PSU give some signs of life even if there was a problem with the motherboard?

Maybe I need to open another PC an try the new PSU there?

Thanks guys

**Tyree** · 10-03-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertin75

Maybe I need to open another PC an try the new PSU there?

Thanks guys

That would be a good alternative.

**greenbrucelee** · 10-03-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyree

I would agree the PSU is probably a low quality unit.

@greenbrucelee
robertin75 can't get into the Bios...the PC won't power on.

my bad.

Try another psu.

10-02-2009, 08:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
robertin75 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 96 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3	[SOLVED] Bad Power supply? Please help Hello: I have a Windows XP PC: - Pentium 4 - 512 MB RAM - 1 32 GB HD - 1 floppy disk drive - AsRock Motherboard P4VM900 Yesterday the computer died. When trying to power it up with the power button it simply didn't do anything. I went to a computer's shop and bought a new 350W power supply but to my surprise the computer is still dead Do you guys think that I may need a more powerful power supply? The computer shop has 350W and 500W but I thought that 350W would be enough. Or maybe it's not the power supply in the first place? Is there any way to test the new and old power supplies? I don't have any electronic equipment like multimeters. If I connect the power supply directly to the power outlet with nothing connected should the fan start? Thanks and help is greatly appreciated

10-02-2009, 08:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,553 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help What graphics are you using? Onboard or a dedicated graphics card? A good quality PSU would be enough for Onboard graphics. What Brand & Model 350W PSU did you purchase? The PSU needs a load to operate. You can plug a case cooling fan into one of the 4 pin Molex connectors for a load and the PSU cooling fan should run. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-02-2009, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
robertin75 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 96 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help I don't have the PSU with me but I think it's like the following: Axix model LC-B450ATX Input 115V-230V, 10A-6A,50Hz-60Hz I bought a similar one last year. Graphics, Audio and LAN are all on board. I'll try to connect the PSU to the cooling fan and see if it works. Does this sound like a PSU problem or could it be a dead motherboard? I'm not sure but I think that if the motherboard was bad the PSU should at least show some signs of life like the cooling fan spinning. Thanks

10-03-2009, 07:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
robertin75 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 96 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help What do you guys think of my last reply? Thnks

10-03-2009, 10:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,847 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help well you should be ok with a low wattage good brand psu but since I have never heard of that brand of psu then I assume it is crap. Go into your bios and post your voltages and temperatures please. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-03-2009, 11:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,553 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help I would agree the PSU is probably a low quality unit. @greenbrucelee robertin75 can't get into the Bios...the PC won't power on. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-03-2009, 11:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
robertin75 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 96 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3	Re: Bad Power supply? Please help Unfortunately I cannot get into the BIOS as the computer never turns on. I press the power up button and nothing, everything's dead. Shouldn't the PSU give some signs of life even if there was a problem with the motherboard? Maybe I need to open another PC an try the new PSU there? Thanks guys