Power Problem??

[jtyrie]

Feeling kind of dumb on this one. I have isolated the MB from everything so no shorts. When I short out the on/off switch on the MB, my fan's jump like they were powered up for 1/10 of a second but the power supply does not turn on, no fans, including the CPU fan start up. Everything is dead. It's an abit MB with an Athlon 1.4. I have taken MB and processor in and tested them seperately and together and they all work. I tried a different power supply at home with same results. Guy where I tested them suggested memory but the power supply ought to start up with no memory at all, right? If it's the mem, both of mine are bad. Can't find any power supply specs to see which pins turn it on so I can't measure output. I am getting ready to go buy another power supply out of frustration if nothing else. It's hard to imagine two bad power supplies but that is the only variable (besides memory) between home and the tester. Any suggestions??

[BigDaddyJ]

This may seem obvious but have you checked the power source(ac outlet)?

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We are all Gods

[jtyrie]

Originally posted by BigDaddyJ:
This may seem obvious but have you checked the power source(ac outlet)?


Yeah, it runs everything else. I wouldn't be surprised if the problem was something simple like on that level though. Thanks for your help!

[BigDaddyJ]

I could be wrong but I think a shorted SCSI or PCI card, bad processor, bad memory, or bad video card can cause a power supply to fail. mjc?? yoda??? again this is something out of my scope of knowledge. That's not hard to do http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif I'll keep looking.

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We are all Gods

[This message has been edited by BigDaddyJ (edited 01-07-2002).]

[AsAGod]

deleted by me

[This message has been edited by AsAGod (edited 01-07-2002).]

[YODA74]

Have you made sure that the Voltage slider is set right?
What size power supply and type is this.The power supply should work with nothing but mobo attatched this power supply here will not even star unless you have a mobo attatched http://www.antec-inc.com/product/powers/pp412x.htm

Let us know what your power supply is and some system specs wwe'll see if we can find a problem.
Have you tried taking everything off the board and reinstalling everything back one at a time?

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PETE'S Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm)

[Paleo Pete]

OK, you said you have isolated it to check for a ground problem, but it still sounds like a ground problem, so I need to be sure.

Have you
1) Tried it on a non-conductive surface, out of the case. (Wood, plastic, cardboard.)

2) Installed cardboard washers between the metal standoffs on the chassis and the motherboard itself, and if necessary under the screw heads that hold the motherboard down.

If both answers are yes, I would think either the power switch is bad, or one of the slots or circuits on the motherboard is shorted.

How about voltage jumpers and correct placement of the power switch wire, if one is connected to the motherboard? Some have a wire that goes to the motherboard, is it in the right place and the polarity correct?

Has the board been dropped, or bent trying to install it? Is this a new board or a used one, and if used have you had any major power surges or lightning strikes?

Never mind...re-reading it I see the motherboard has been tested separately and works...

That leaves power supply, ground problem or switch as far as I can tell.

NOTE: I left my comments instead of editing them out for a reason. We have had some great suggestions in Tips for good Posting (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000095.html), and I thought this would be a very good example of the benefits of re-reading the original post before finishing.

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