Is my PSU dead?

[robiob]

I've had my new computer running for a few days now. It's running a P4 2.4C and the BIOS indicates that its temperature is around 50C. Even with stock cooling, this seemed much too high, so I pulled the HSF off and reapplied the thermal compound. (Arctic Silver Ceramique) Everything was hooked back up, and I hit the power button. Nothing happened! Not even the LED on the mobo was lit. I took the ATX connector off of the mobo and tried using a paper clip to short the pins to test it and still nothing happens. I pulled the PSU from the computer that I'm typing on right now, and the new comp started fine using it, so it must be the PSU. What could I have possibly done while re-seating the HSF to kill the PSU? I've heard that sometimes, if you wait a while, the PSU will reset itself and start working again. It's been unplugged for over 30 min, and still nothing. If it was going to reset, how long would that take? Also, the BIOS still reports a temp of 48-52C for the CPU. I've never dealt with ceramique in the past, but I've used AS3 and I have mounted a P4 stock HSF several times before, so it seems unlikely that I'm doing something wrong. Why are the temps so high?

 

[SemperFi]

Did you plug the hs/f into the same power header? Some motherboards won't boot if it doesn't detect fan on the cpu header on the board.

 

[robiob]

The HSF was plugged into the fan header listed in my mobo manual as "CPU header". It's the same place it was hooked up before, so that's not the problem. I'm beginning to think that it just died and that it was a strange coincidence that it happened to die at the very same time that I was changing the cpu. Or maybe it was close to death already, and the tiny bump as I layed the case on its side was all it took to kill it.

 

[SemperFi]

Yea strange things do happen.

I went to my dad's house and picked up his computer a couple of years ago so I could install windows xp on it. When I got there I had to turn it off. I got it home ( I live about 3 miles away) and plugged it up to do it up. Well no video. I had to replace the video card. Try explaining why I have to buy a new video card for a system that was working fine.

 

[Jugernot]

Lemme guess, it was a cheapo PS?

If it doesn't work right now, the only chance you have is a blown fuse inside the casing. If you are an adventurer, unscrew it and check the fuses. Also look for burn marks as that is a the sure sign of a blown PS. Be sure to take extra caution when touching components as a PS can keep quite a charge in it's circuits even when unplugged. It can last few years.

 

[HappyPuppy]

By any chance does your PSU have an ON/OFF switch on the back? If so, it's possible you inadvertently turned it off somewhere along the line. Sounds lame, I know, but it's happened to me.

 

[robiob]

Actually, it was not a cheap PSU at all. It was an Antec TruePower, top of the line. It does have a switch on the back, but it was turned on. I also checked for a bad outlet and a bad power cord, but none of that helped. The box it came in indicates that it has a three year warranty, so I'm gonna try to RMA it.

 

[Nomjr]

Most psu's have a fuse inside of them also, might want to give it a quick look as today I had a psu quit on me, a cheap deer model, but it isn't mine and I wanted to save the guy a few bucks, opened it up and sure enough the fuse was popped. Put a new one in, and running no problem now for the last 9 hours, might have just took a big jolt to the case or somehting, not positve it blew out because of a problem. Good Luck!!!

 

[compudog]

Let us know how the RMA experience goes with Antec. I have never sent a PSU back and would be interested in how things went.

 

[robiob]

Sure thing, Compudog. I'll let you know how it goes. I found their website to by very lacking in information about the RMA process, but I did find an e-mail address. I've already exchanged several e-mails with the RMA department. All mails were responded to within two or three hours. All they need to get you an RMA number is the serial number on the unit and your home mailing address. I've never had to RMA anything before though, so I had a few other questions to ask them and my last letter was sent late Friday, so I'm having to wait all weekend to get a response. I'll make another post as soon as I get this all taken care of to let you know how long it took and if there were any complications.


BTW, maybe some of you who have done this RMA thing a lot will know the answers to my questions that I asked the RMA department on Friday. First of all, what do I do with this RMA number? Do I write it on the box, or tape it to the unit, or is it just something that I can use to check the current status of the RMA process? What all should I send them? Just the unit itself, or would they want the box, power cord, instruction manual, and all of the little things that came with it? Hopefully, they will e-mail me the answers soon, but if anyone knows the answer, you can save me some time and give it to me now.