Pc keeps having random problems

[christhedonstar]

USB mouse not working sometimes, Video card complains of not having the power hooked up to it. I get the feeling my power supply could be playing up, but I didn't buy it long ago and it was from Zalman. What software exists to test the power supply? I'd like to test it before going down the root of replacing it.

 

[sjs1717]

take a look down at the post NO POWER...CLICKING NOISE




Steve
We're doing this stuff for the wealth and fame right?

 

[Devildog75]

I'm not aware of any software that tests the power supply. If there was such a thing I wouldn't mind knowing myself

But I'd suggest powering down the computer, open it up and take a good look inside to verify that the power supply is connected to the motherboard securely. Otherwise, you're gonna need to get a hold of a multimeter and test the output...which there are several places (I'm sure this forum included) which have details on how to do that.

If the fan quits working, though, I'd definitely would not waste any time in pulling that Zalman out and replacing it altogether.

 

[gbaughma]

I would also look at the Mobo for signs of cap failure (swelling, brown liquid, etc.)



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[wahnula]

Video card complains of not having the power hooked up to it.

Well is it? Most newer videocards require a six or eight-pin connection of their own from the PSU. Just being new does not mean it's good...we've seen lots of crib deaths here at Tek-Tips, from major names to no-names.

Your PSU could also be perfectly fine but underpowered. Google "power supply calculator" to see if your system needs a more powerful model. Remember, a 500 Watt PSU cannot handle a 500 watt system...

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[wahnula]

...keyboard batteries went dead in mid-post! Anyway there is an efficiency rating that applies to PSUs as well as any DC transformer. You need to allow 20-30% for line loss and other factors that affect efficiency, like temperature. SO...(PC power requirements) + (20-30%)= minimum wattage of PSU.

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[christhedonstar]

Its a Zalman 460watts APS power supply. I reconnected the graphics card and the error went away. May try my mouse next... I get the feelig it could be something where the power is varying, but seems like I can't test without hardware to test...

 

[dfnkt]

You can test your PSU for rail voltage drops with a DMM (digital multi meter).

http://ochardware.com/articles/psuvolt/psuvolt2.html

-- pretty nice guide, some people say a difference of +- .2 is acceptable, I prefer mine to stay around +- .075 of the rated voltages (3.3/5/12)

PSU can cause major system instability including random freezes or reboots, hardware not working, and if it gets bad enough, can even damage your hardware. I think that a quality PSU is something a lot of builders overlook.

Also good suggestions on the possibly of your power supply not being able to handle the needs of your system, most power supplies will only put out 80-85 percent of their watts at full load, and they can't usually sustain that for long periods of time due to heat build up.

Hope you get it taken care of

 

[LawnBoy]

You need to allow 20-30% for ... other factors

Which is a polite way of saying that many manufacturers publish misleading rating specs.

And others flat lie.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[paparazi]

Remember to list as much information in your initial post so that the replying members don't have to guess.
For example:
what graphics card so that we can judge if the PSU is up to the job.
For example, it is advisable to give high end GPU's a seperate power supply feed (don't connect this lead or any of it's spare molex connectors to anything else)
I would also advise removing your graphics card and use a clean pencil erazor rubber on the brite brass contacts (you will see these terminals become cleaner and lighter in colour) which means you have removed the tarnish which will provide better electrical contacts and less potential for resistance.
Martin



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