It looks like I get to troubleshoot my computer now. I powered it up this AM, came back to it after family-pool time and it was not only off...but unresponsive. Hmm, so that's what that burnt smell is coming from.

 

 

 

I open up the case to see what happens when I attempt to power up. The CPU fan twitches...then nothing. Ok, so I pull out the power supply and it does reek of electronic toast. I don't have a Power Supply tester, but I'm fairly certain that it's hosed. Hopefully, there was no domino effect. I don't see any char marks anywhere else on the board. The CPU fan does have some smell, but it could just be proximity. GAAAAGHHH.

 

 

 

The next chance I have to get out sans kids, I plan to buy a new power supply to see if that solves it. In the mean time, I'll just freak out over the idea that I might have to replace any number of parts. I haven't had this particular issue before so anyone who has experienced this, please feel free to post any advice.

I have had several power supplies literally explode (with a loud bang) for me and not once has anything inside the system been damaged. I believe the power supply is designed to cut off from the system if anything like that happens so it is very unlikely that any of the guts of your machine will be damaged.

 

 

 

Make sure the replacement you buy isn't a cheap/budget one. Get one made by Antec / FSP (Fortron) / Enermax / Silverstone / OCZ / Seasonic.

Cool, thanks. I'm figuring that this one was sub- to average quality since it came with the case and isn't branded. Is StarTech a decent brand? It looks like my local Comp Usa (I normally shop Tigerdirect.com, but I can't wait that long) might carry it.

 

 

 

I just hope I can get out to get one before hubby has to use his laptop. I might even have to connect this thing to my monitor in the mean time

 

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EDIT: I have a 200 watt power supply from a Dell Dimension XPS system. Is it safe to use this power supply to test anything in my AMD (that was connected to the ATX power supply) or is it even compatible?.

Cool, thanks. I'm figuring that this one was sub- to average quality since it came with the case and isn't branded. Is StarTech a decent brand? It looks like my local Comp Usa (I normally shop Tigerdirect.com, but I can't wait that long) might carry it.

 

 

 

I just hope I can get out to get one before hubby has to use his laptop. I might even have to connect this thing to my monitor in the mean time

 

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EDIT: I have a 200 watt power supply from a Dell Dimension XPS system. Is it safe to use this power supply to test anything in my AMD (that was connected to the ATX power supply) or is it even compatible?.

 

 

 

The 200watt may work, it depends if you have a powerful graphics card that eats up alot of power or any other power hungry components. I suggest you try it but only plug in the absolute minimum.

 

 

 

If that is a good quality PSU (never heard of the brand) it will have protection for other components, like Anesthesia said. Some cheap PSUs dont have this.

I plugged the dead power supply into the Dell MB. All it did was whistle - no fans kicked in.

 

 

 

I tried the Dell power on the AMD...all it did was whistle too, but it lacks the additional 12V(4 Pin) plug that the AMD MB needs.

heh, i actually ordered one of those 50$ diablo atx cases with 500 watt power supply, power supply was busted and i was freaking over what it might be, because my i tried my old one and it didn't have enough juice to run it nicely.

Yeah, my case is a $30 "cheap & dirty" Powmax I got when I built out this machine. I was thrilled that it came with a power supply at all. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that nothing else is injured. I'm really not in the mood to spend more coin on it right now.

Phew. Problem solved. After celebrating Father's Day , I had a chance to run out and pick up a power supply.

 

 

 

I got a 500 WATT Antec Smartpower 2.0. It is SWEET!!! It has modular cables, so I don't have to clutter up the case with extraneous wires, and the wire-clusters are wrapped. Yes, I'm a geek...getting all excited about my power supply cords.

 

 

 

Anywho, my system whirred, booted and is running just fine.

 

 

 

Thanks for posting.

Glad it's working :D power supplies do usually have a cutoff system so they don't ruin the rest of your system, looks like it worked admirably :)

for future reference to test a power supply you just need to put one end of a paperclip in the green box so it connects with the metal and the other end on any of the black sections (ground on a pc)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The diagram says short 14 and 15 because they are the closest together so it is easier.

 

 

 

So basically you need a connection between 14 and any of the black cables (3, 5, 7, 13, 15, 16, 17)

 

 

 

This is what I've done on a power supply under my desk I use to power my under desk lightning so i can assure you it works :P

The paperclip method acts like a power switch operation, right...so the internal fans kick in?

 

 

 

Yet another purpose for the paperclip.

The paperclip method acts like a power switch operation, right...so the internal fans kick in?

 

 

 

Yet another purpose for the paperclip.

 

 

 

yup :D

 

 

 

Aren't paperclips great 8-)

 

 

 

I put some pvc tape over it to hold it in place so it doesn't come undone :P