Help!! Possible Power Supply Failure

Turned my PC on today.. and nothing happens.

Tried new fuse and plugs etc.. Can only assume it's a component. On the basis that absolutely nothing happens when I swith it on - is the definitely the PSU ??

If so, any brand recommendations for a new one? Current one is an Antec 480w. (I think, but that could be the one before the one I have - if that makes sense. Can't check as I keep all receipts etc.. scanned on the hard drive, which I can't access!)

PC is used mainly for gaming. I should really get more than 480w to be more future proof. Intel Dual Core, XFX 8800GT gfx, 4 gig ram, x2 internal HDD, x1 External HDD.

Couldn't say if it's definitely a psu problem to be honest.
But if your'e looking to buy one i can highly recommend the Corsair PSU's.
Therye not cheap but they've served me very well so far.

Damn, was hoping that this type of failure would 100% indicate a PSU - especially as not even the PSU fan is coming on.

Sods law, but I really need my PC for an interview that coming up on Monday. Don't have time for lots of trouble shooting !

In the past i've brought seemingly dead pc's back to life simply by unplugging
all leads and removing and reseating all the obvious culprits like ram, gpu etc and then leaving it all unplugged for an hour or so.

Can't promise anything but it's a cheap alternative.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Damn, was hoping that this type of failure would 100% indicate a PSU - especially as not even the PSU fan is coming on.

Sods law, but I really need my PC for an interview that coming up on Monday. Don't have time for lots of trouble shooting !

In that situation it's usually a toss up between PSU & Motherboard, but the fact the Fan has died would give a pretty definite answer, you could also check if the LED on motherboard is coming on ( if you have one ), and i would personally recommend the Antec PSU's.

Cheers peeps. Given me some options to look into.

If the PSU fan doesn't move at all upon switch on, then it's almost certainly the PSU that's failed. You can check a standard ATX PSU by removing it from the system, plugging it in to the mains and then momentarily touching the green wire (PS_ON) to any black wire (GND) using a paper clip or similar.

Edited by Deadbeat (Thu 11-Feb-10 14:05:58)

Thanks.. although sounds like you're trying to blow me up!!

Back from work now and opened up the PC. Checked all connections etc. And, I have an LED on the motherboard which is ON.

Now I'm confused (and hating typing on my wifes notebook thingy)

It may be the CPU fan. If this has failed, the system won't even attempt to boot. Is there a case fan that you can swap for the CPU fan? Alternatively, can you check that there is 12V across the fan power leads with a multimeter?

Currently trying to take the PSU out to try the short cicuit test. Cant unplug it from the board though. Both the main connecter and the processer connector wont budge !!