IBM ThinkCentre S51

[ugotdave]

Question for you all,

I have a IBM TC S51 that starts up and shuts down about 15 to 30 sec later.

I pulled all the PCI and SATA devices and still get the same thing. I switched RAM modules out, same thing. I get no errors at POST.

But one thing I did notice, the CPU fans don't spin at power on. But they spin for a few sec when you plug the power cord in the system after it has been unplugged. I have seen this before, its like the system does a quick test and shuts off, I guess it's like a PRE-POST.

So I am guessing that the CPU is over heating and the system is shutting itself down before it burns up.

I started digging around, the 20 pin ATX connector is a bit yellow (burnt) and so is the MB.

Does any know of a solid test to tell if it's a board issue or a power supply issue?

 

[Knightsman]

Have you tested the power supply?

 

[ugotdave]

Knightsman, No I have not, I guess I need to dig around on Google to see what pins do what on the power supply and test with a meter.

I am just not in my element with testing electronics.

 

[Martyn]

Get a psu tester they are quite cheap.

 

[Knightsman]

Do you have another power supply to test with?

 

[ugotdave]

Do you have another power supply to test with?

Yes and no, the ThinkCentre power supply seems a bit proprietary. I had another 20 Pin ATX Power Supply so I tried it to see if the CPU fans would spin. But it did not even power the MB, at least the orig Power Supply did that.

Get a psu tester they are quite cheap.

I think I will. Are there any you suggest?

I saw this one for $20
Ultra ULT31553 Power Supply Tester V 2.0 - 20/24 Pin

 

[Knightsman]

Is it possible that Power Supply is bad? Seen it before.


how to jump start and test a power supply:
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/96712-how-jump-start-power-supply-psu.html

 

[loaner]

probably motherboard. have you checked the caps for bulging or leaking near the cpu?

also, a PSU tester will only tell you if the PSU is bad, NOT if it's good. only way to test a power supply is under load like "during boot". only a known good will help you there.

i've worked on plenty of proprietary stuff, dell and ibm, never had a problem with powersupply. i've hooked my gaming rig power supply to both of them and never a problem. my power supply is OCZ 800 with 20 pin main and extra 4 pin.

 

[Knightsman]

Yes and no, the ThinkCentre power supply seems a bit proprietary. I had another 20 Pin ATX Power Supply so I tried it to see if the CPU fans would spin. But it did not even power the MB, at least the orig Power Supply did that.


I think I will. Are there any you suggest?

I saw this one for $20
Ultra ULT31553 Power Supply Tester V 2.0 - 20/24 Pin

I use this tester, works great. Get the kit that has two in it though.. But its possible the power supply could test as good with it and still be bad. I have seen it a couple times, same symptoms.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1647108&csid=_25

This one seems ok
Coolmax PS-228

I want to find one that truly says what all of them are.

 

[Knightsman]

probably motherboard. have you checked the caps for bulging or leaking near the cpu?

also, a PSU tester will only tell you if the PSU is bad, NOT if it's good. only way to test a power supply is under load like "during boot". only a known good will help you there.

i've worked on plenty of proprietary stuff, dell and ibm, never had a problem with powersupply. i've hooked my gaming rig power supply to both of them and never a problem. my power supply is OCZ 800 with 20 pin main and extra 4 pin.

First..
The only way to test a power supply is under boot?
False..its called jump it and get each reading from each color except for black/ground.

Second
You have never had a problem with a power supply. like ever? On anyone's computer. That's unbelievable. I do warranty work, and I replace them ALL THE TIME!

For the same symptoms this guy is having. It's possible its the motherboard yes, but the first test should be the power supply, since it is cheaper than replacing the motherboard.

 

[loaner]

First..
The only way to test a power supply is under boot?
That's right. you can paper clip and multimeter "all you want", BUT...until you hook it up and boot up, you will not KNOW if it's good. That's why I said USE A KNOWN GOOD POWER SUPPLY.

Second
You have never had a problem with a power supply. like ever? On anyone's computer. That's unbelievable. I do warranty work, and I replace them ALL THE TIME!
I didn't say I've never had a problem with a power supply. I was referring to the op's statement of worrying about the proprietary situation. I've hooked NON--PROPRIETARY power supplies to both DELL and IBM models and have never had a problem with it.

For the same symptoms this guy is having. It's possible its the motherboard yes, but the first test should be the power supply, since it is cheaper than replacing the motherboard.
That's NOT always true, BUT that's not what I was getting at. I was suggesting that he NOT WORRY about hooking up another power supply to test. He MOST LIKELY will not have a problem. I was making the point that on proprietary systems like DELL and IBM, I've never had a problem hooking up a "late model" power supply.

 

[ugotdave]

Thanks all, this is a good learning experience for me.

Knightsman, I tested the PS after watching some youtube videos.

I hook up a HDD to one of my molex connectors and tested each pin on the PS, just for kicks, all seem to be at the correct voltage, even the one pin that looks burnt, see attachment.

I found a MB and PS on ebay for about $40, not a bad price. I may opt for the MB first.

probably motherboard. have you checked the caps for bulging or leaking near the cpu?

I checked, no bulging caps.

 

[Knightsman]

Thanks all, this is a good learning experience for me.

Knightsman, I tested the PS after watching some youtube videos.

I hook up a HDD to one of my molex connectors and tested each pin on the PS, just for kicks, all seem to be at the correct voltage, even the one pin that looks burnt, see attachment.

I found a MB and PS on ebay for about $40, not a bad price. I may opt for the MB first.

I checked, no bulging caps.

oh wow, the burnt part. If the powersupply did test good, I wonder if the burnt part is from a spark, surge or something. I would say that its the motherboard.

Let us know when you get the part in.

 

[ugotdave]

The PS seems to be working. I test it with volt meter, but from reading a bit about PS's they could test good with standard diagnostics but fail under a load as one mentioned.

I took the IBM CPU and put it in a working Dell Optiplex 380, the system would not boot, the CPU fan just kept running with no video or signs of booting. Oddly enough the CPU was not even warm when I took it out of the Dell.

So I did just the reverse with the IBM, I took the known good CPU from the Dell and tried it in the IBM, nothing...

Seems like it may be both MB and CPU. The grease on the Heat Sink & CPU from the IBM are very dark gray/almost brown. I think either lightning or some kind of electrical short or something. Nevertheless it seems to be a dead system. But, I seem to have a good power supply and memory!!

Question: Should I put more/new thermal grease on the Dell since I removed the CPU to test it?

 

[Knightsman]

I always put fresh grease when I take a heatsink off. Radio shack has an awesome deal on thermal grease, $1.99 at my local store with enough grease for about 3-4 pc's.

 

[loaner]

if i were you, I would take the PSU and hook it to another rig and try to boot with it just to be sure.

short story long. I had a possible motherboard issue(leaking caps near cpu, blah blah). I hooked my power supply tester to the 20 pin and the 4 pin and the drives spun up and everything. I'm figuring since I bypassed the motherboard and it boots, then it's the motherboard. ordered new motherboard. new motherboard comes in and install it. hook up the original system and NOTHING. Hook up another Power supply and it boots. ordered another power supply and installed. worked like new. MY MISTAKE was not testing the questionable power supply in another rig. If i had done that, I could have ordered the motherboard AND power supply.

anyway...now you know

 

[ugotdave]

if i were you, I would take the PSU and hook it to another rig and try to boot with it just to be sure.

short story long. I had a possible motherboard issue(leaking caps near cpu, blah blah). I hooked my power supply tester to the 20 pin and the 4 pin and the drives spun up and everything. I'm figuring since I bypassed the motherboard and it boots, then it's the motherboard. ordered new motherboard. new motherboard comes in and install it. hook up the original system and NOTHING. Hook up another Power supply and it boots. ordered another power supply and installed. worked like new. MY MISTAKE was not testing the questionable power supply in another rig. If i had done that, I could have ordered the motherboard AND power supply.

anyway...now you know

I'll do it, I have anther board I can test the PSU on.

 

[fixitdaz]

looking at the burnt plug i would say the m/b has a dry joint or loose connection, causing high current causing over heating of the plug, remove m/b check the back of the m/b.