"Universal" desktop power supply

[Haole Boy]

Or.... you could pony up 25 bucks for a PSU tester. maybe something similar to this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=power_supply_tester-_-99-705-003-_-Product

I do have a PSU tester, that's how I found out the PSU in this PC was bad. I have a working PSU to test and see if there was anything else wrong with the machine, but could not make the connections necessary due to cable length.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I am now very far removed from hands on work but when I was doing such I would always test the PSU when it appeared to be a power issue - 99.9% of the time it would not pass the voltage checks and saved the additional time of cobbling another supply into the case and then testing operationally. I'm not sure that answers your question but in my organization's case, less time spent on diagnostics and repair equal more profit. On the hardware support side reducing that time is the single most important focus in trying to improve our profitability. Established standard test procedures based on symptoms presented and using validated test equipment is core to our business.

In answer to your second question I cannot readily think of an instance that swapping a power supply out without testing it first made sense and/or solved a unrelated problem. The approach you described is referred to as the shotgun approach around here i.e. not diagnosing the fault properly but throwing hardware at it in an attempt to find a fix.
.

99.9% of the time you thought it was the PSU it would not pass a voltage check from a psu tester? How long have you been far removed from hands on work? 1998?

I think the idea of testing with a spare PSU with extensions is just fine and enables him to diagnose PSU issues that only reveal themselves under load.

It looks like you misunderstood the second part. I was looking for examples where you feel the PSU tester really helped vs testing another PSU. I understand it saves you a few seconds vs the OPs idea as far as establishing the connections but can you think of a situation where the PSU tester really pulled through diagnosis wise vs testing with another PSU?

Edit: oh looks like OP was already using a PSU tester

 

[jbartlett323]

So I use a (bought brand new) Corsair CX430 for all our testing. Has nice long cables, and is a good quality PSU so it wont blow up my users machines on accident. My PSU tester tests this, and all other Corsair units as Faulty. I do not use a PSU tester anymore, faster and easier to just pop off the mobo connectors, pop off the HDD connector, stick my test PSU cables in, and hang the PSU out the side. Can run full diags from the machine, and didn't have to disassemble anything except a couple power plugs, and have a true test if its power related or not. When I'm done, I unhook, throw it back on the tech shelf and fix issue as needed. That easy.

If you are having length issues with your test unit, I would not suggest risking a potentially faulty extension, but just spend the $40 on a decent PSU that already has cables long enough for any case.

To add, 3 things to look for in a decent PSU: 1, Long Cable. Longer the wires, typically better quality wires. 2, The little plastic keeper on the edge where the wire come out of the body. This is just a basic indication if they cut corners. 3, The most important: Weight! if its light, its junk, as they used the lowest quality of every part they could find. Kinda like batteries, ever compared Duracell/Energizer weight to there store brand counterparts? Typically the store brand is horribly lighter and don't really last at all. Same same with PSU's...

 

[NJW]

In answer to your second question I cannot readily think of an instance that swapping a power supply out without testing it first made sense and/or solved a unrelated problem. The approach you described is referred to as the shotgun approach around here i.e. not diagnosing the fault properly but throwing hardware at it in an attempt to find a fix.

I have to disagree – patching in a known good power supply is by far the most efficient way to test. I use a similar method to @4ycr, above.

To use the PSU tester, you still have to remove all the connectors, so just plug in a replacement and try it. There's no need, at this stage, to remove the original from the case or install the replacement. I don't remember ever having a PSU with a voltage line missing, it's always failing under load and/or failing when warm (i.e., under load with time).

 

[oldtech]

I have to disagree – patching in a known good power supply is by far the most efficient way to test. I use a similar method to @4ycr, above.

Fair enough. Not saying my way is the only way but keep in mind if you are plugging a known good supply into something that exhibits power issues you may be plugging into a short and there goes your good known PSU

 

[NJW]

... you may be plugging into a short and ...

... the PSU short-circuit protection kicks in. (ATX PSU specification.)

As a side effect, the smoke indicates the location of the short and confirms that the motherboard is toast. What's not to like?

 

[oldtech]

Lol

 

[Geoffsplace]

In the past I have put the computer on it side and had a PSU sitting on the frame next to the DVD drive so the cables would fit. It's not something you walk away from but for a quick power on test it did work

Exactly what I do all time, I just hook the known good PS to the MB and see what happens, if the PS is sitting on the bench right next to the MB I cant see any MB being so BIG that the cables wouldn't reach. The same if you are onsite just plonk it next to the computer connect the cables and power up.

Why on earth would you take out the old PS put another one in and screw it all down connect the cables. Just plonk the PS next to the computer, connect, fire it up and see what happens. Once you've confirmed the PS is bad then order the new one with longer cables.

Its the same if you had a problem with a DVD drive, first thing I do is put a commercially produced DVD in the drive, if that doesn't work connect a known good DVD drive and see if it works, if it does then install the new DVD drive, why would you take out the old one, put the new one in screw it all in ? its madness.... just plonk it next to the machine on the bench plug it in power it up and away you go.

Maybe I am different, I come from a background in electronics where we did component level repairs, nowadays that is too expensive, so much more efficient and cheaper to just swap out the faulty part, eg I would never bother to repair a faulty PS, I just replace it with a new one.

I know from my 30+ odd years of doing electronic repairs that the PS doesn't need to be screwed into the case to work. Even if for some weird reason it needed for the case of the PS needed to be electrically connect to the computer case you would just use a patch cord with alligator clips on each end and connect it that way.

rgds
Syb

 

[Geoffsplace]

I am now very far removed from hands on work but when I was doing such I would always test the PSU when it appeared to be a power issue - 99.9% of the time it would not pass the voltage checks and saved the additional time of cobbling another supply into the case and then testing operationally. I'm not sure that answers your question but in my organization's case, less time spent on diagnostics and repair equal more profit. On the hardware support side reducing that time is the single most important focus in trying to improve our profitability. Established standard test procedures based on symptoms presented and using validated test equipment is core to our business.

In answer to your second question I cannot readily think of an instance that swapping a power supply out without testing it first made sense and/or solved a unrelated problem. The approach you described is referred to as the shotgun approach around here i.e. not diagnosing the fault properly but throwing hardware at it in an attempt to find a fix.
.

You know I would disagree with you there, years of experience allows me to recognise common symptoms of PS failure, and as in virtually all electronic equipment certain models in certain brands become known for failure after an almost set period of time.

However i would agree that if the PS runs and seems to be working correctly then yes you need to measure the voltages under load to confirm it is still able to supply the voltage and current that is needed and that in fact there is a problem with the PS.

Rgds
Syb

 

[Geoffsplace]

Why not pull the motherboard out of the case and connect to the power supply?

Because it takes time, time is money, to pull the MB out serves no purpose, you can connect a new PS to a MB in literally seconds, how long does it take to pull the MB out then put it back in ? it takes ages. I compare it to a car that has a dead battery, so in your thinking you would pull the engine out, mount it on a engine stand that has a known good battery and see if it starts. CRAZY !! come on guys its not rocket science ..,.,

rgds
Syb