Multiple Power Supply Failures

[LiveFire]

Hello,

I have a customer with a AMD System. 1.67 GHZ, Gigabyte GA7KVMP Board, 256 MB DDR, Geforce 2, SB Sound Card, Nic etc... Very basic system. So far I have had to replace the PSU 3 times. The Power Supply seems to go every 2-4 months. I have used different PSU's each time, and the last time used a high end PSU, so I am thinking the problem is somewhere else in the system. I am wondering where to start and how to approach the situation. Should I be suspecting the Mobo?? I have never come across an issue in which I suspected something was drawing from the PSU causing it to fail. Any info at all would be of great help...

Cheers..

 

[RagingBITCH]

Has it been the same brand PSU? Sounds like the motherboard somehow - I don't see any other way 3 different PSU's would fail. Have you had him replace his power cord each time? Also, is he using a surge protector?

 

[redbeard1]

I'd say it seems like an irregular line voltage issue. See if they'd be willing to purchase a UPS. They act like a filter as well as a backup.

 

[LiveFire]

Each time I have replaced the PSU and cord, with different Manufacturer PSU. So that tells me it's not a "Quality" PSU issue. I just recieved the system and started my basic troubleshooting, removing each drive and adapter and try a boot up. I removed the CDRW and it booted, but only to Pre Post state, it let me get into the BIOS for like two secs, then shut down. Now, when I try and boot up, the CPU fan spins for two secs and nothing. Also , when I was in the BIOS I keeped getting a error beep. It's an AMI BIOS and I couldn't tell what the beep was, it sounded more like a song, very long and group in 4's. But now I can't get anything. Any ideas????

 

[thaneboy]

Ami bios codes
AMI BIOS Error Codes
1 beep Refresh failure
2 beeps Parity error
3 beeps Base 64K memory failure
4 beeps Timer not operational
5 beeps Processor error
6 beeps 8042 - gate A20 failure
7 beeps Processor exception interrupt error
8 beeps Display memory read/write failure
9 beeps ROM checksum error
10 beeps CMOS shutdown register read/write error
11 beeps Cache


ami bios codes in details

The above link may be useful to ya .

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: redbeard1
I'd say it seems like an irregular line voltage issue. See if they'd be willing to purchase a UPS. They act like a filter as well as a backup.

I'll second that - there might be constant surges in that area. A good line filter or UPS should help.

 

[LiveFire]

I have considered the irregular line voltage issue. The customer had a computer on that line for 6 years prior to the new system, therefore I doubt it's a line issue. But I am at the end of my wits trying to figure it out. I am wondering if any components are drawing to much current?? Anybody know a way to check CDROMS and hardrives for overdraw??

 

[Mark R]

It could also be overheating due to putting the PC in a poorly ventilated area - or covering the ventilation holes. If the interior of the PC case is very crowded (e.g. it's a Mini ATX system) then consider trying to reroute cables or using a 'dual-fan' replacement PSU.

It seems unlikely that the PSU is being overloaded - a 300W should be overkill for a system like that - but probably the most important specification to check is that the PSU has adequate strength on the +12V supply (modern motherboards/CPUs are major 12V hogs - I would try to ensure that the 12V supply is rated for at least 12A, and preferably 15A) - Less important is 'combined 3.3V and 5V' rating - but 140W is a realistic minimum.

Although a PSU should not be damaged by a short-circuit on the output, it is a possibility that is causing infrequent failures. Disassemble the entire system and carefully examine every component for evidence of burning or overheating of a power connector.

Do you have any information on why the PSUs died? What did you do with the carcasses? It might be informative to take a peek inside after leaving it unplugged overnight - there might be some burnt components which may hint at a cause. E.g. burnt surge protectors may suggest a serious problem with mains power quality - burnt or ruptured capacitors may suggest overheating, jammed fan may indicate generally POS build quality, burnt transformer maybe a serious overload.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Originally posted by: LiveFire
I have considered the irregular line voltage issue. The customer had a computer on that line for 6 years prior to the new system, therefore I doubt it's a line issue. But I am at the end of my wits trying to figure it out. I am wondering if any components are drawing to much current?? Anybody know a way to check CDROMS and hardrives for overdraw??

Doubtful that the CDRom drive or Hard Drives are the culprits.

Do they have multiple USB devices connected at a time?
If so, they may need a Powered Hub.

External USB CD Burners, Drive enclosures, HP/Lexmark Printers will suck
the life out of a PSU when connected simultaneously.

 

[Mark R]

External USB CD Burners, Drive enclosures, HP/Lexmark Printers will suck
the life out of a PSU when connected simultaneously.

Extremely unlikely. USB devices take tiny amounts of power.

Each port on the motherboard is limited to 2.5W - if a non-powered hub is connected that means a total of 2.5W for the hub and everything connected to it. As most Mobos have 4 USB ports - that means an absolute maximum of 10W if all of them are used. Most USB devices like mice and keyboards use much less (usually less than 0.5W for a mouse or KB).

 

[LiveFire]

Mark and Co,

Thanks for your insight. I haven't been able to pull the PSU's apart as they were warrantied and that would have voided them. I am seriously considering pulling this last one apart. It is definitley not a matter of "Junk" PSUs as this last one what a high end Channel Well PSU. I am still baffled. I don't believe any component on the system could cause such a failure (maybe a combination of components, but what are the odds). I have inspected all components and found absoultely no burns, heat spots or touch offs, so I am back to square one. I am thinking of RMAing the MOBO and a few other choice parts to eliminate some suspects, But again, I am baffled. Thanks for your info , if you can think of anything else, I am still in a pickle.


Cheers and thank you,

 

[alm4rr]

Originally posted by: LiveFire
Hello,

I have a customer with a AMD System. 1.67 GHZ, Gigabyte GA7KVMP Board, 256 MB DDR, Geforce 2, SB Sound Card, Nic etc... Very basic system. So far I have had to replace the PSU 3 times. The Power Supply seems to go every 2-4 months. I have used different PSU's each time, and the last time used a high end PSU, so I am thinking the problem is somewhere else in the system. I am wondering where to start and how to approach the situation. Should I be suspecting the Mobo?? I have never come across an issue in which I suspected something was drawing from the PSU causing it to fail. Any info at all would be of great help...

Cheers..

Have you used a PWS tester to see if these PWS are in fact toast?

 

[LiveFire]

I do not have a PWS Tester. I have heard of them in passing, but have not seen one in use.. Perhaps you could elaborate..

Thanks for your msg...

 

[alm4rr]

I think newegg has them - like $6. You can always slap them into another system to check them, too

 

[pyrojunkie]

I read through all these posts and found that the original poster has nevered mentioned the PSU rating. I also read that someone said a 300 watt PSU is overkill for a XP processor system. That is not true. At my shop I have had at least 4 customers, come to me with bad 300 watt cpus. I have replaced them with either 350 or 400 watt psus. No problems for them afterwards. Unless your problem is with 350+ watt psus, I think you know what you have to do.

BTW, how can you do tech support for you customers without a psu tester? Its such a cheap, but extremely useful tool.

 

[LiveFire]

I donot have a PSU tester as I never needed one.. Until this system. I have NEVER had a PSU issue, as all the PSU's I sell are quality. I will definitely get one now.

 

[pyrojunkie]

I have a PSU tester and recommend you test them in the situation they were plugged into. I have had a PSU test good until I plugged it back into a machine, in which case it tested bad.