Author Topic: PSU going bad??? (Read 354 times)

Balsy · « **on:** December 29, 2005, 09:19:36 AM »

Last nite I get home. My PC is running. I shut it down using windows. Go downstairs and about 5 minutes later my PC boots up . I go up stairs, shut down through windows again (thinking I hit restart). It shuts down. I go down stairs, bout 3-5 minutes later it boots up again.

I go upstairs, hard shut down with the power button. Go downstairs, same thing boots up again. I think I'll name it Christine at this point.

I go upstair, unplug the powersupply.

This morning I go upstairs and plug in the power supply. and hit the power button... nothing. I open up the case. The Motherboard Light is on and steady. Multiple attempts at power button are unsuccessful. I figure my PSU is fried, as its making small zipping noises. I go downstairs, come back up and its booted up fine by itself.

12v showing 11.968 steady
5v showing 4.999 steady
3.3v showing 3.281- 3.312
Vcore showing 1.472- 1.504

Its a Thermaltake 680w powersupply on a Asus 8 SLI Deluxe board.

Any help appreciated.

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2005, 06:13:49 PM »

Only the usual suggestions... Check every cable connection in the case, make sure all the fans rotate and aren't stalled, try unplugging unnecessary items in the case such as the cdrom drive to troubleshoot, etc.

If you have a second power supply, give it a shot.

If you hear zapping sounds from the power supply though, you're risking burning your house down by leaving it connected. Even if you don't burn down your house, a short circuit could ruin the rest of the computer.

'Zipping' sounds are sometimes caused by failing fans, but you didn't describe it as the sound a fan makes as it tries and fails to spin up...

Scrap · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2005, 07:03:36 PM »

What's a good power supply for a decent price these day? I need to pick one out for my new rig.

Balsy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2005, 07:45:41 PM »

It only makes the sound when the powers off, kind of like paper tearing a little at a time.

System runs fine just cant shut it off.

One thing to note.. when I bought the power supply the switch on the powersupply had no effect in either position.

Now it actually shuts the power off like its supposed too.

Makes me think the switch is the problem...

Balsy

hubsonfire · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2005, 08:32:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Balsy
One thing to note.. when I bought the power supply the switch on the powersupply had no effect in either position.Balsy

This is not good. Replace either the switch or the PSU ASAP.

JTs · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2005, 10:50:59 PM »

best psu made. if you can afford it get the 1000 watt (lol). they have a five year warranty and have several models for sli.

eagl · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2005, 05:30:31 AM »

PC Power and Cooling makes very high quality power supplies. Antec also makes good ones.

Ghosth · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2005, 08:48:55 AM »

Sounds like a switch shorting out to me.

Cut all power to it, find out whats HOT.

If something is arcing inside (zipping sounds) it WILL get hot.

Good luck!

Casper1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2006, 09:05:46 AM »

Thermaltake makes some good PSUs. Dont go crazy with Wattage - you dont need 1000 Watts in a PC system. 400-500 is sufficient for alot of boxes.

Balsy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2006, 12:51:41 PM »

RMA'd the Thermaltake and I ordered a PC Power and Cooling 550 watt from newegg.

Figured Id get the newegg faster than the RMA, and I can donate the new Thermaltake to my fathers so he can build his rig.

Balsy

wrag · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2006, 04:50:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Scrap
What's a good power supply for a decent price these day? I need to pick one out for my new rig.

I picked up an OCZ (powerstream model) made power supply and have been extremely happy with it. It can handle pretty much any board out there. 500 watt puppy. Tunnable power settings!!!!!! Got 3 dials on the back that allow you to tune the power output!!!

ONE thing though. I's slightly over sized and won't fit in some cases. Runs very cool temp wise.

It's ATX and BTX ready. Can handle PCI-E as well. Plenty of connectors too. Comes with add warps for keeping cables bunched and out of the way.

WHAT EVER power supply you buy get a QUALITY UPS to go with it. Brownouts will kill your system!! Over time the strain on your powersupply can be such that it dies in smoke and sparks. The UPS needs to be plugged in STAND ALONE for however long the maufacturer recommends to charge it up before hooking up your system. After that you get a constant flow of steady same voltage power.