Possible dead PSU...need suggestions

Generix · 08-08-2005, 03:28 PM

I just put together my new computer and found that it would not post (no beeps) and nothing was being displayed onscreen. I tried both outputs on my videocard and the monitor is good. The case lights and all fans worked fine. The speaker connector is fine (I triple checked and even tried it backwards). I plugged in the extra 4-pin power connector from the beginning. My video card does not require extra power. My motherboard has an optional molex connector for extra juice when running in SLI mode (I'm not)...I tried adding that but that didn't solve anything.

I treated the CPU/heatsink and the motherboard as gently as I could, so I don't really think that I killed either of these, though I guess it is always possible...

After I unplugged power and reseated the videocard (of course I plugged it back in), nothing happens at all. The little green light on the motherboard that indicates power is on still, but no fans spin up. When I hit the power button on the front of the case, I hear a small, quick noise emitted from the PSU...sort of like a mid-pitched vibration...sort of "electric spark" sounding but sort of not. The fan in the PSU does not spin up either. This leads me to believe that the PSU has been the problem since the beginning, causing the no post and no display.

I would really like some input as to what I should do next. I think I have a really old voltometer (not digital) laying around somewhere but I have never tested a PSU this way and I don't even know if any accurate reading could be made with it. The only other PSU that I have is in the computer that I'm on...taking it out and hooking it up to the other computer seems like sort of a lot of work considering how I have mine wired now. I could order another PSU (it would be the Antec NeoPower 450), but I don't know if I want to do that if this one is still good.

I guess I'm just wondering what part is bad or what I did incorrectly. If you also think the PSU is probably bad, what step(s) do you think I should take? Thanks for the input, I sure appreciate it...

PSU: Antec SmartPower 480 2.0 (included in the Antec Sonata II chassis)
MOBO: ASUS A8N-SLI (regular version)
CPU: AMD 64 3700+
RAM: 1gb ddr pc3200 crucial (512x2)

****
Oh yeah, if the PSU had spun everything up correctly, I would next try juggling the RAM around. If that didn't work, I would try reseating the CPU (I would have to get some artic silver though). But since I no longer have power, I guess I need to wait on both of these.

JamesT has/had a very similar problem with another ASUS board...
here
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Generix · 08-08-2005, 06:14 PM

Nevermind, a CMOS flash did the trick....little bugger....

technobeast · 08-08-2005, 10:29 PM

See how fast PCTT works. From the very moment you posted it-> and the answer came...

08-08-2005, 03:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Generix Weetard Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 85	Possible dead PSU...need suggestions I just put together my new computer and found that it would not post (no beeps) and nothing was being displayed onscreen. I tried both outputs on my videocard and the monitor is good. The case lights and all fans worked fine. The speaker connector is fine (I triple checked and even tried it backwards). I plugged in the extra 4-pin power connector from the beginning. My video card does not require extra power. My motherboard has an optional molex connector for extra juice when running in SLI mode (I'm not)...I tried adding that but that didn't solve anything. I treated the CPU/heatsink and the motherboard as gently as I could, so I don't really think that I killed either of these, though I guess it is always possible... After I unplugged power and reseated the videocard (of course I plugged it back in), nothing happens at all. The little green light on the motherboard that indicates power is on still, but no fans spin up. When I hit the power button on the front of the case, I hear a small, quick noise emitted from the PSU...sort of like a mid-pitched vibration...sort of "electric spark" sounding but sort of not. The fan in the PSU does not spin up either. This leads me to believe that the PSU has been the problem since the beginning, causing the no post and no display. I would really like some input as to what I should do next. I think I have a really old voltometer (not digital) laying around somewhere but I have never tested a PSU this way and I don't even know if any accurate reading could be made with it. The only other PSU that I have is in the computer that I'm on...taking it out and hooking it up to the other computer seems like sort of a lot of work considering how I have mine wired now. I could order another PSU (it would be the Antec NeoPower 450), but I don't know if I want to do that if this one is still good. I guess I'm just wondering what part is bad or what I did incorrectly. If you also think the PSU is probably bad, what step(s) do you think I should take? Thanks for the input, I sure appreciate it... PSU: Antec SmartPower 480 2.0 (included in the Antec Sonata II chassis) MOBO: ASUS A8N-SLI (regular version) CPU: AMD 64 3700+ RAM: 1gb ddr pc3200 crucial (512x2) ** Oh yeah, if the PSU had spun everything up correctly, I would next try juggling the RAM around. If that didn't work, I would try reseating the CPU (I would have to get some artic silver though). But since I no longer have power, I guess I need to wait on both of these. JamesT has/had a very similar problem with another ASUS board... here ** __________________ "The trick to flying is throwing yourself at the ground and missing." Last edited by Generix; 08-08-2005 at 03:47 PM.

08-08-2005, 06:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Generix Weetard Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 85	Nevermind, a CMOS flash did the trick....little bugger.... __________________ "The trick to flying is throwing yourself at the ground and missing."

08-08-2005, 10:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
technobeast The Grim Reaper! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bulgaria Posts: 2,387	See how fast PCTT works. From the very moment you posted it-> and the answer came... __________________ Liked this post and found it helpful? Click on the image under my avatar to add to my reputation

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