I think I have a dead PSU, help me diagnose it!

[ejr]

I just bought this 500W Ultra X-Connect PSU from xoxide.com a week ago or so. It's only seen about 20 hours of runtime so far and the voltages were pretty dead on so I was very happy with the rails' performances.

So this morning I go to play some AAO, and the thing isn't on like I left it. I shrug it off and think maybe it when into standby.

It doesn't turn on, nothing from the front power button. So I flip the PSU's switch, wait for about 10 sec, and turn it back on. I hear the PSU get the juice. Hit the front power switch up front and it boots ..... for about 5 seconds max. Then shuts off! Great......

Do it again, and now when I turn my PSU on, the mobo's onboard LED stays lit up (implying there is power coming from PSU, right?) but the CPU fan and the videocard's LED flash on (or momentarily spin) and then abruptly stop. (Onboard LED stays lit)

Power button has no effect any more. I peered into my PSU from the windows and nothing looks obviously burned or anything. Id rather not have it come down to it.

So wizzkids, what the hell is going on????????????????????

 

[Paperlantern]

only way to know is try another psu, however it seems as though thats the issue, id put my money there. gotta try a known good and see if it boots and move from there

 

[mechBgon]

More system specs might help, too. If you have a high-quality power supply laying around, you could try swapping them too, and see if the other PSU does better.

 

[ejr]

Ask and you shall receive.

ASUS K8V-Deluxe sk939
Winchester core 3000+ @1.9GHz
2x256 PC266 cl2.5
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200GB SATA
BenQ 16xDVD DLayer
Chaintech 6800GT @ 401/1.1Ghz

Operating temperatures:
CPU: 34c
Mobo: 28c
GPU: 54c

I have a friends computer sitting next to me which will soon be the donor unless we can rule PSU out, (doubtful, eh guys?) it is a PowerLab 450W so it will be sufficient to test.

Any other questions?

 

[ejr]

If I remove my PSU and disconnect everything then plug it into my outlet and turn it on, will it power up ?

I am just curious to know if this is bad or not, I am tempted to try it but am not too sure on what, if any, consequences are there.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, that rules out backwards-heatsink syndrome since it's an A64. Yeah, try the other PSU.

 

[ejr]

Whats the deal with backwards-heatsink syndrome? I cant even comprehend how that could happen. . lol

My comp has been working great and playing games quite a bit lately. Swapping out PSU right now......back in a minute with details!

 

[mechBgon]

If it were a SocketA system, then the situation in photo #4 on this page could occur, because they're not symmetrical. It was a very frequent problem, so I made a photo guide to help with it, and screw3d kindly fancied it up for me

 

[ejr]

Yea... everything turns on fine with the PowerLab 450W.



My $130 award-winning PSU is junk after a few days of use. I wonder if the computer is destroying my PSU.

 

[mechBgon]

If you want a new one from a pretty solid maker, and can give up the modular cable thing, Fortron's Blue Storm 500W unit has sleeved cables, a single blue-lighted 120mm fan, and native 24-pin main power plus a PCIe Graphics power plug. They include a 24-to-20 adapter for mobos that use 20-pin ATX fittings.

 

[ejr]

I will stick with the ULTRA, the modular cable setup was one of the best things Ive experienced yet, but I have researched thru and thru since this has happened and have never even heard of an ULTRA go bad! I think if the next PSU is going to go out, its not going to be the PSU's fault.. I will have mine RMAd and hopefully you won't see this thread get bumped. . .

 

[mechBgon]

I have researched thru and thru since this has happened and have never even heard of an ULTRA go bad!

That might be because you have only been here for a few days Well, better luck with your next one...