PC hardware problem - GoFuckYourself.com

Wilbo · 12-09-2007, 06:01 PM

I'm building my mother in law a PC for Xmas......all she does is play solitaire, surf and email. I got a cheap case with a cheap power supply ( I know, my bad ) and when I plugged it in the power supply started to smoke. Nothing turned on, not the fans or anything. All I saw was a light where the network cable was.
I went to Comp USA and bought a new 400 watt power supply and installed it. When I turn it on I get nothing, the fan in the power supply doesn't even rotate. How can I test to see if the new power supply is good and it's not the switch on the cheap case?

TehKinkyHotness · 12-09-2007, 06:10 PM

Test the power supply by using a flathead screwdriver to touch the contacts on the motherboard together. (Where the switch wire connects to the motherboard) This does the the thing as the switch. If it doesnt turn on, the PS is toast.

megatgpdotnet · 12-09-2007, 06:13 PM

Taht was probably power supply, but when its smoked, it coul've give shock to your motherboard/devices... so bye bye PC

Wilbo · 12-09-2007, 06:14 PM

Should the power supply fan turn if I pull it completely out of the puter and plug it in?

baddog · 12-09-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbo

Should the power supply fan turn if I pull it completely out of the puter and plug it in?

Don't think so, you still need to turn it on.

Wilbo · 12-09-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megatgpdotnet

Taht was probably power supply, but when its smoked, it coul've give shock to your motherboard/devices... so bye bye PC

But wouldn't the new power supply fan turn?

bronco67 · 12-09-2007, 06:45 PM

Due, you're getting a Dell....

This won't help your tech problem, but its not worth it to build a system if its not going to be a "high performance" machine....ie gaming, or high end 3d work.

just buy a cheap little 300 dollar pre-built rig. It's actually cheaper and more convenient to buy a PC for the very casual, non-power user.

Catalyst · 12-09-2007, 07:15 PM

best idea all day..

Craigslist or ebay you can get machine for 300 dollars..

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco67

Due, you're getting a Dell....

This won't help your tech problem, but its not worth it to build a system if its not going to be a "high performance" machine....ie gaming, or high end 3d work.

just buy a cheap little 300 dollar pre-built rig. It's actually cheaper and more convenient to buy a PC for the very casual, non-power user.

Azoy? · 12-09-2007, 08:09 PM

you can also always buy her a cheap PC from Dell ( don't usually recommend them ) but for what she needs as you describe check this out

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topi...hs1&l=en&s=dhs

Brand new system for $289.00
Can't go wrong if it's just for simple stuff and you don't have to mess around trying to figure out what may or may not be working.
Your time and new replacement parts also cost money.
You probably will end up saying money going with the new system from Dell.

Diligent · 12-09-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbo

But wouldn't the new power supply fan turn?

No, ATX style power supplies (practically all are "ATX style", including what You have) don't start up until they get a signal FROM the MoBo, via the Motherboard connector.

That's why the easiest way for You to test it is to connect it to the motherboard, and then short the motherboard's pins (where the case pwr connector plugs into), as suggested earlier here.

You'd know the PSU works then, and can connect the case power connector to the MoBo (to test if that's what's broken).

Barefootsies · 12-09-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco67

Due, you're getting a Dell....

This won't help your tech problem, but its not worth it to build a system if its not going to be a "high performance" machine....ie gaming, or high end 3d work.

just buy a cheap little 300 dollar pre-built rig. It's actually cheaper and more convenient to buy a PC for the very casual, non-power user.

Agreed.

For people who just do e-mail, and simpleton things. I would never build them a machine.

12-09-2007, 06:01 PM	#1
Wilbo Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,082	PC hardware problem I'm building my mother in law a PC for Xmas......all she does is play solitaire, surf and email. I got a cheap case with a cheap power supply ( I know, my bad ) and when I plugged it in the power supply started to smoke. Nothing turned on, not the fans or anything. All I saw was a light where the network cable was. I went to Comp USA and bought a new 400 watt power supply and installed it. When I turn it on I get nothing, the fan in the power supply doesn't even rotate. How can I test to see if the new power supply is good and it's not the switch on the cheap case?

12-09-2007, 06:13 PM	#3
megatgpdotnet Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: EU Posts: 1,296	Taht was probably power supply, but when its smoked, it coul've give shock to your motherboard/devices... so bye bye PC __________________ ICQ: 343 896 902 \| Traffic: Buy and Sell \| My top sponsors: Dating (1:26 fs) \| Webcams (20% lifetime) \| $25 / free signup \| Paysites (trials, crossells, alternative billing) \| Other Stuff .com domains $7.99 \| Dreamhost promo codes \| Cheap quality content \| Embed Tube Script Toplists: 1 \| 2

12-09-2007, 06:10 PM	#2
TehKinkyHotness Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 533	Test the power supply by using a flathead screwdriver to touch the contacts on the motherboard together. (Where the switch wire connects to the motherboard) This does the the thing as the switch. If it doesnt turn on, the PS is toast.

12-09-2007, 06:14 PM	#4
Wilbo Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,082	Should the power supply fan turn if I pull it completely out of the puter and plug it in?

12-09-2007, 06:45 PM	#7
bronco67 Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 29,032	Due, you're getting a Dell.... This won't help your tech problem, but its not worth it to build a system if its not going to be a "high performance" machine....ie gaming, or high end 3d work. just buy a cheap little 300 dollar pre-built rig. It's actually cheaper and more convenient to buy a PC for the very casual, non-power user.

12-09-2007, 08:09 PM	#9
Azoy? Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,178	you can also always buy her a cheap PC from Dell ( don't usually recommend them ) but for what she needs as you describe check this out http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topi...hs1&l=en&s=dhs Brand new system for $289.00 Can't go wrong if it's just for simple stuff and you don't have to mess around trying to figure out what may or may not be working. Your time and new replacement parts also cost money. You probably will end up saying money going with the new system from Dell.