I think my desktop power supply just died

chrisinhouston • Apr 5, 2015 10:16 am
Sitting at my computer this morning and in the flash of a second it shut off and won't restart. Haven't had time to look inside yet but I think the power supply may have died. I figure I will start by replacing the power cord and plugging to a different outlet to eliminate anything so simple as that. Then move inside. Somewhere I think I have one of those power supply testers.

This is a pretty well made tower style computer, a Cyberpower that
I got 4-5 years ago. I rarely turn it off, just put it in sleep mode when getting off. Not sure if that is good or not now a days. I remember a time when daily on and off powering could effect the boot up sector of the hard drive.

Luckily I upgraded my laptop and can survive with that for awhile.
DanaC • Apr 5, 2015 11:27 am
Bummer.
Gravdigr • Apr 5, 2015 2:44 pm
Man, I hate when something just up and fails outright, with no warnings, or symptoms.

Even if it's a car, I can turn screws, nuts, and bolts, and replace stuff, but, a diagnostician I ain't.
tw • Apr 5, 2015 3:07 pm
chrisinhouston;925320 wrote:
Sitting at my computer this morning and in the flash of a second it shut off and won't restart. Haven't had time to look inside yet but I think the power supply may have died.
Power supply testers can only report a few types of power supply failures. Only solution for a completely answer is a meter and some specific instructions (most recommendations on You Tube, et al are incomplete).

Best answers come from two minutes with a meter AND not disconnecting even one wire or component. All measurements from six wires on its 20 VDC range according to requested instructions.
Gravdigr • Apr 5, 2015 3:19 pm
This 'meter' you speak of...

...would this be a hand tool?
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 5, 2015 4:38 pm
Yes, DVM.
glatt • Apr 5, 2015 7:41 pm
Gravdigr;925343 wrote:
This 'meter' you speak of...

...would this be a hand tool?



Oh no you didn't.
Pamela • Apr 5, 2015 10:42 pm
I believe TW posted detailed (very detailed) instructions once.

When you open it, if you see a little led on the mobo but no other signs of life, don't replace the power supply, replace the cpu. Happened to me once.
gvidas • Apr 5, 2015 11:00 pm
The abruptness makes me think it's worth investigating thoroughly for unknown fuses and circuit breakers. But that's a lot less subjective with a multimeter.
BigV • Apr 6, 2015 12:10 pm
gvidas;925381 wrote:
The abruptness makes me think it's worth investigating thoroughly for unknown fuses and circuit breakers. But that's a lot less subjective with a multimeter.


don't let tw see your shotgun, he's allergic to that approach. just the facts, ma'am.
Beest • Apr 6, 2015 12:21 pm
Pamela;925380 wrote:
I believe TW posted detailed (very detailed) instructions once.

When you open it, if you see a little led on the mobo but no other signs of life, don't replace the power supply, replace the cpu. Happened to me once.


Here, helping me with my PC.

http://www.cellar.org/showthread.php?t=27133&highlight=Dell

Voltmeter a few bucks from Harbor Freight, I had to buy 10 ohm resistors at radio shack for a buck or two.

Having figured it was the power supply, the supply itsef cost very little with a rebate from New Egg.