How To Repair Computer Power Supply

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When a PC ability supply dies or begins to habiliment out, it must be replaced. With a few simple tools and the help of this guide, you can do this job yourself and save on expensive repair fees.

1. i

   Make sure that everything is plugged in. It's entirely possible that a cord could just slip out from the outlet while you're working. If power is present to the monitor and other peripherals, yet there is no ability to your computer, there is likely something wrong with your power supply.

2. 2

   Striking the power button. The most obvious inkling is that the system will do absolutely nil when you hitting the power push button. If there is no sound and no monitor activity of whatever kind, the power supply has probably died. While this tin can also be caused by a faulty switch, it is normally the result of a burned-out ability supply.

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3. 3

   Look at when your figurer boots upwards. Noticeable changes in how long it takes for your reckoner to boot up and shutdown, every bit well equally spontaneous rebooting, could be a sign that something is incorrect.

4. 4

   Check for beeps. If the system makes rapid, brusk beeps repeatedly and does non boot when you try to get it to, this could be linked to the ability supply.

5. 5

   Observe any computer failures. If there are arrangement startup failures or lockups, retentiveness errors, HDD file arrangement corruption or USB power problems, this is often directly related to your ability supply.

6. half-dozen

   Cheque the fan in your computer. If the fan in your computer is failing to spin, it could lead to overheating and smoke in the organisation, all of which can crusade a failed ability supply.

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1. 1

   Familiarize yourself with proper ESD procedures. This should be washed earlier doing any kind of PC repair work which requires opening a calculator. If you neglect this step, you may damage your computer.

2. 2

   Disconnect all external connectors (including the ability cord) from the machine. This may include keyboard, mouse, network cable and speakers.

3. 3

   Place the power supply unit. It will be connected to almost every component inside the figurer case and volition look something similar this:

4. 4

   Remove the case cover. Unscrew the mounting screws on the dorsum of the instance which agree the power supply in its housing. Identify the screws in a handy location.

5. five

   Gently remove the old power supply from the instance. This is usually a simple process, just if there is little room in your PC, it may be necessary to remove other components to get the ability supply out. If you lot don't feel comfortable removing other components, replace the mounting screws and enlist the assist of a PC good earlier continuing. Do not try to yank a power supply out by force.

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1. 1

   Buy a new power supply of the same type as the old one. Most power supplies used in modern computers are of the "ATX" variety, but if y'all aren't certain, take the old unit to the shop with yous to compare.

   • The simplest rule of thumb is that the new unit should be exactly the same width as the old one. It's fine if the new unit is a bit longer, as long as it will all the same fit into your instance. Exercise not hesitate to ask the salesperson or technician for help in identifying the correct unit to purchase.

2. two

   Unpack the new ability supply and make certain it physically fits correctly. If the new unit has a big bottom mounted fan, the bottom rear bottom flange on some cases might get in the style. Add information technology to the case in the same place the old unit was, and apply the mounting screws to fasten information technology down.

3. 3

   Using proper ESD procedures, connect the devices in your PC to the new ability supply. The connections should be the same as they were earlier. It can require a bit of force to insert power connectors correctly, but if if you have to strain a peachy deal to button them in, yous may be trying to connect them astern. It is very difficult to connect near Molex connectors improperly, merely if you are determined (and strong) plenty, it tin can be done. If you have to force also difficult, try turning the connector effectually.

4. four

   Verify that no cables or unused connectors are stuck in the CPU fan or touching other moving parts. If the CPU fan is stopped by a loose connector (or whatsoever other obstruction), the processor tin be destroyed very quickly. You may wish to restrain unused cables to prevent them from getting tangled upwardly in fans.

5. 5

   Replace and spike downwards the case cover.

6. 6

   Supersede all external connections to the back of the computer (ability string, mouse, keyboard, monitor, network cable, speakers, etc). Power upward the system and enjoy your new ability supply.

   • If your system doesn't start up correctly here, your failing ability supply could accept taken out the motherboard.

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Add New Question

• Question

  When I plough on my reckoner information technology shuts downward later nigh two minutes. It doesn't even kicking upwards to Windows. What should I do?

  

  It is probably a BIOS error. When it is starting upward, read the BIOS screen, it may be telling you there is an error and shuts down because it cannot kick.

• Question

  Where is the motherboard?

  

  The computer motherboard is the large flat piece, normally in the middle of your computer. If you exercise not know what a motherboard is, you lot should probably non exist fixing your computer yourself.

• Question

  What can I exercise if my power supply cord is damaged?

  

  Purchase a new string to replace the damaged cord.

• Question

  How can I tell whether my power supply cord or the PSU is damaged?

  

  Mostly there volition be a beeping sound coming from your PSU and it won't plow on if it is damaged. Nothing will happen if the cord is damaged. Cheque if the power cable is damaged by replacing information technology with your monitor's cablevision and trying to turn it on. If your computer withal doesn't piece of work, it'southward likely the PSU.

• Question

  How tin can I diagnose and repair a broken pin in the Intel microprocessor chip?

  

  Sorry, but it may exist toast. It is very hard to repair a cleaved CPU pin, as there are many pins and information technology is very difficult to re-solder the pin dorsum.

• Question

  If I smell burning wires, does that mean the PSU is burned?

  

  Not necessarily. Information technology could be a number of things. If you lot smell burning, unplug the figurer and press the ability push button, discharging the motherboard. Open up the case and look for whatever visible damage, such every bit scorch marks, or fume.

• Question

  What should I do if my computer turns on, but is silent and BIOS is not displaying?

  

  Check the booting sequence on your computer, by rebooting your system every bit presently every bit you lot see small dot flashing just press f2 key to enter bios setup of your figurer. Click on boot to see the booting sequence.

• Question

  When I add some other HDD to the computer information technology switches off, could it be the power supply?

  

  No, chances are, on the new HDD, you lot've got the jumper set to boot instead of slave.

• Question

  What do I exercise if the Windows icon comes on my screen, simply the screen goes black later?

  

  You can try pressing F8 correct earlier the Windows logo shows upwards and choose to showtime in Safe Style. If this works, you should check if at that place were any recently made hardware or software changes, including Windows updates, and undo that to check if the problem is solved. If information technology doesn't even boot in Safe Style, you might accept to reinstall Windows. And, if reinstalling the OS doesn't solve the trouble, then it'south very likely yous have hardware issues, like faulty memory sticks.

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• If y'all suspect that your power supply is dying, replace it. A mutual clue which indicates a declining power supply is a high-pitched whining or grinding noise from the area of the case where the power supply is housed. Don't wait until the supply dies, because its failure can cause voltage bug which can ruin your motherboard, hard drive, or other components.

• Invest in a loftier quality power supply. Do some research before you purchase 1. More than wattage on the parcel doesn't mean better. About dwelling PCs don't really utilize more than 300W, even though this is non what power supply marketing people want y'all to know. The unit of measurement should provide adequate wattage for your needs. Don't skimp on the ability supply, every bit you may regret it afterward. Ability supplies that fail tin can impairment other components in your computer, especially the motherboard.

• If you purchased a marginal power supply, information technology is possible that the offset up current need from the hard drives could push demands over the ability supply limit. Ability supply wattage has "maximum" definitions which may benefit the manufacturer. If two power supplies both have "switching" designs and are fabricated by brand proper noun manufacturers, consider using their weight as a sign of ability. Larger heat sinks and capacitors weigh more.

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• Sometimes, a failing power supply tin continue to kicking the arrangement, causing only minor lockups and shutdowns. If this is the case, you should endeavor to rule out other problems earlier replacing the ability supply. While information technology is e'er best to replace a power supply you have good reason to believe is faulty, you should exist sure that the problem is not caused by other factors.

• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is harmful to computer hardware. Be certain to wear an anti-static wrist-strap that'southward properly grounded to eliminate ESD earlier working on the power supply. The easiest mode is to wear the anti-static wrist-strap and attach the alligator clip to the case of the computer.

• Some replacement power supplies accept what is called a 20+4 motherboard connector. These connectors work with either xx or 24 pin motherboard connectors and will accommodate more types of computers. The 4 extra pins clip onto the finish of the standard 20 port clip. This may be shipped with the four pin clip attached and the clip may not fit well on a 20 pin connector which could effect in startup failures. Earlier you blame the new ability supply, determine if your motherboard input connector is 20 or 24 pin. If it is 20 pivot, make sure the iv pin clip is detached and reconnect the prune to your motherboard, it should fit ameliorate and this may correct intermittent starting time-up problems that might exist occurring.

• If it's hard to remove a hard drive or CD/DVD drive ability connectors, don't pull on it difficult. Information technology will come up out of a sudden and you'll likely cutting your paw on sharp edges. Wiggle gently every bit you lot pull out.

• Do not practice this on Dell Computers! Some Dell computers are designed to employ an odd connector. If you utilise a standard power supply, you may damage the power supply, the motherboard or both. This also goes for Compaq and some HP and other brand-name PCs. Cheque beginning. The Dell used the same ATX connector as normal systems, but wired it in a not-standard mode.

• Don't attempt to open a power supply unit to attempt repairs or experiment with the parts if you're not familiar with working with loftier voltage circuits. Ability supplies contain capacitors which can concur dangerous charges for a few minutes. Refer the unit to a qualified electrician, or meliorate yet, recycle it and supervene upon it with a new or refurbished one The cost of having a power supply repaired is frequently more than the price of a replacement unit.

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Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Replacement power supply

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