Computer Power Supply

Isolating PC power supply problems can be either very straightforward or extremely difficult, depending largely on the type of problem, the symptoms that you observe, and when the symptoms occur. Although a completely dead PC is almost always due to a faulty supply, other types of problems are not nearly as obvious. In fact, there are some power supply problems that can be easily mistaken for a problem with another component or with the configuration of the system. Since every device or component attached to your PC depends either directly or indirectly on the power from the system’s supply, developing a methodology for isolating power problems can be quite useful.



MOST COMMON PROBLEM WITH POWER SUPPLY.
1.Power supply fails and needs to be replaced.
2.Power supply is switched to the wrong voltage. Should be 115V instead of 230V.
3.When testing or installing a new power supply, the supply is plugged directly into the motherboard without plugging another device such as a floppy drive. The power supply may short out if it is plugged only into the motherboard.

System restarts intermittently.
1.Check that the switch on the power supply is switched to the 115V position and not 230V.
2.Could be bad power supply.

No Power.
1.Check that power cord to computer (printer) has not become unplugged.
2.Plug another device into surge protector or outlet. Check that the surge or outlet providing power.
3.Try a different outlet.
4.Try the same power cord on another device. Cord may be bad.

Hear whining noise from the computer.
a.Most noise related problems originate from the power supply or fan.
b.Could be ball bearings in the fan not turning properly.
c.Could be a noisy hard drive.