Is this a power supply problem?

[liquidgrey]

I turn on my computer (which was working fine yesterday), but now nothing happens - the monitor does not even light up in the slightest (its on the computer's power supply).
The power light flashes at regular intervals, where it did not use t flash at all.
if it is a power supply problem, how would I go about replacing it? The wires attached to the on/off switch look well fastened.

 

[mtec]

Have you tried plugging your monitor into an independant power supply? The fact that it is not working makes me suspect something other than the power supply as the power supply usually just loops the power around to the monitor output.

The outher step is to find a friend (or a friend of a friend) that has and can use a multimeter and get them to check the power supply output.

If it is the power supply and you can find a replacement they are fiddly but not difficult to replace. Remember to label all the connectors you remove so you can use the labels as a map to where the new ones go.

The swithch either comes out of the case via clips or has a quick release plug/socket at or near the power supply.

 

[edfair]

Are you questioning the monitor power supply or the computer power supply? I suspect that you are talking about the monitor power light being the one that is flashing but that is normal for many monitors that are not receiving signals from the video card. So if it is the monitor light that is flashing then the monitor power is probably good.
If the computer power supply is blown, then you will be getting no video signals out. You won't get the keyboard reset lights or the bios test beep. So yes, you probably have a bad power supply but there are other details needed.
One last test. Watch the cooling fan as you turn the computer on. You are watching for the fan to try to start. If it does try to start it indicates that the power is trying to come up but something is shorting out the P/S.
AT type or ATX type. Determined by the type of connector on the M/B. 12 wires in a row coming from the P/S indicate AT. Connector 2 rows by 10 (i think) indicate ATX.
Type of case? At least three different types of power supply cases for AT , 2 for ATX..
In all cases within recent memory 4 screws on back tie the power supply in. Possibly 2 screws holding down the opposite end of the P/S. Document the connectors removed. On reassembly watch for the 3.5 connector, it is easy to put it back on with the connector offset by 1 pin.
You said the monitor was using the computer power supply. Is only using a power outlet controlled by the computer main line switch. And you will be better off in the long run if you get a power cable to power the monitor directly.

 

[liquidgrey]

clarification:
It is the computer's power light that is flashing.
The monitor light does not go on at all. [sig]<p>liquidgrey<br><a href=mailto:webmaster@liquidgrey.com>webmaster@liquidgrey.com</a><br><a href=

http://www.liquidgrey.com>The

Liquidgrey and the greycloak</a><br> [/sig]

 

[edfair]

First get the monitor a power cord into an outlet for itself but that won't fix the problem.
You probably have a power supply problem. And the answer is to replace it, or probably better to replace it and the case at the same time. But before you replace it, try disconnecting the disk drive connectors and testing again. If the light still blinks then it is time for replacement. No guarantee since something on the M/B may be dragging the P/S down, but I've only seen one that was the M/B in 15 years.
Anything that draws excessive current will cause this type of problem. And figuring out the cause is a matter of disconnecting power connectors until the problem goes away.
BTW look at the 115/230 switch on the power supply. If something hit it and it went to 230 you might get this same effect. Depends on the P/S.
And if you replace the P/S and/or the case/PS take the old power supply with you so you can match up the board connector. [sig]<p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>
[/sig]