Power Supply problem???

[Steve48]

Hello,

I have posted before about my modem dropping my internet connection just as I get to the "Home Page" or before, or slightly afterwards. I have had the phone lines checked and they are good. The problem does not lie with the phone lines. Secondly I posted about my computer losing time in the task bar clock only when the computer is operating. It keeps time fine when the computer is shutdown. ( that indicated that the CMOS battery is fine). Blowing into the unit with a house fan has no effect on the problem. However, it appears that evry time that I remove the power supply cover and do something like put in a fan with a higher cfn or reverse the fan air direction or blow air on it, the modem disconnect goes away for a couple of days. I am not entirely sure if that makes the lost time problem go away. I have not "noticed" any other significant problems, but it does seem like sometimes my screen-saver momentarily stops, and sometimes my print jobs take longer than expected. I have read all the power supply voltages and they seem to be "OK", but that could be misleading if something is overheating in the power supply unit (PSU).
My question is this. Does it sound like I have a PSU problem since only when I open the PSU case the problem goes away, or is there something more going on? My power supply is about 3 years old, and it is an AT Form Factor. If I replace it, I can replace it with a ATX supply, since my Motherboard will accept either a AT or an ATX PSU. The motherboard however is a AT form factor. All I need to do is change one jumper settin to switch from a AT to a ATX PSU. What do you think I should do?

Thanks,
Steve

[mjc]

Yes replace the power supply, with whichever one you can get, but I would be inclined to stay with the AT form factor, because it would be a direct replacement, no need to reconfigure the board (yes it may just be one jumper, but how easy is it to access, do you need to change around the switch connections, etc).

Poor or weak solder joints will fail over time, especially when exposed to temperature variations. I would guess that is what the problem with your current power supply is. Another component likely to cause erratic behavior are capacitors that have leaked, gotten too hot or dried out (not so common on the sealed cans used these days), I once had a satellite receiver that would run for about two hours then shut down, until I replaced all the capacitors in the power supply (it was integrated with the mainboard and not a separate unit).

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mjc
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Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Steve48]

Thanks MJC

I only know too well about leaky capacitors!! I have a 25 year old 19 inch, Sanyo Color TV that still works today, but I have had to replace several small electrolytic caps to keep it up. In fact it has a leaky cap now that acts up only under high humidity or after it rains.
I replaced the power supply with one out of another computer that I dont use much at all for intenet browsing (except when this one is down). It may take a couple of days to see if replacing the power supply did the trick. Even though it was an AT swap, the switches were different (GRRRRR!)
and that was no fun! If the problem returns, then the only other guess that I can render is funky memory. I will keep you all posted on what happens!

Thanks again,
Steve