PSU Problem?

[supra]

I just put together all my parts and double checked my connections. I'm using an Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W PSU. I've done the calculations and its more than enough power. However, when I press the power switch the case and processor fans start the case LEDs come on for about half a second and then power is cut off. Is it the PSU? Since I think it is is there any test I can do to make sure thats what it is? Lastly is this a good PSU or should I get a different one?

[minsonngo]

What are your system specs?


Do you have brass standoffs installed between the motherboard and the case?

Are you sure the heatsink and fan is installed correctly? This is a very common problem for new builds.

[supra]

I have brass standoffs between the mobo and case. I'm sure the heatsink and fan are in correctly.

My system specs are:

Asus P5N-SLI Motherboard
(Core 2 Duo/ Core 2 Extreme/Pentium D/Pentium 4/Celeron, Socket T, nForce 570, ATX, 16GB DDR2, 1066MHz FSB - MPN: P5NSLI)

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core Processor
(2.4GHz, 4MB, 1066MHz FSB, LGA 775 - MPN: BX80557E6600)

3 Corsair 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory

eVGA GeForce 8600GTS Video Card
(256MB, PCI Express x16, Dual DVI - MPN: 256P2N761AR)

Sony DRU-830A Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer
(18x/8x/18x DVD+RW, 18x/6x/18x DVD-RW, 8x DVD-R DL, 48x/48x/48x CD-RW - MPN: DRU830A)

WD Caviar SE16 250GB Hard Drive
(Serial ATA II, 7,200RPM, 16MB - MPN: WD2500KS)

Antec 900 Midtower Computer Case
(ATX/microATX, 9 Bays - MPN: NINEHUNDRED)

Antec SmartPower 2.0 500 Watt ATX12V v2.0 PSU PCIE Ready Model SP500

Samsung SyncMaster 940BX Black 19" LCD Monitor
(19", 1280x1024, 5ms, DVI, PC/Mac - MPN: 940BX)

[minsonngo]

Do you have the 24-pin main and 4-pin(or 8-pin) ATX12V PSU connectors hooked up to the motherboard? How about the 6-pin PCI-E connector from the PSU hooked up to the video card?

Double check and make sure the CPU heatsink and fan is installed right... redo it if you have to: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=176924

If it is not the CPU heatsink and fan... try another known working PSU and see if that solves the problem.

3 Corsair 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory

Just to confirm... you have THREE sticks of memory installed?

[supra]

The main connector is connected to the mobo. And the PCIE connector to the video card.

I'll try the fan and heatsink again.

Sorry its 2 1GB sticks of memory. One in each channel.

[supra]

Redid the heatsink and fan and that didn't work. I can't use another PSU because I don't have another PSU with a 24 pin main cable.

[minsonngo]

Try building the system outside of the case with only the essentials.

Essentials: The motherboard, processor, processor heatsink & fan, PSU, ONE stick of memory, and the video card.


Do this on a non conductive surface like cardboard or a wooden table. You can short the power pins with a flathead screwdriver.


If you are still getting the same problem... one or more of those main components are faulty.

If you are not getting any problems... start adding in parts one at a time and see if the problem occurs... if so... the last component you added is the issue usually.

[supra]

I talked to Antec and they said it was a faulty PSU. So, I'm exchanging it for a new one.

[minsonngo]

Okay... let just know how the new PSU works out.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by supra I talked to Antec and they said it was a faulty PSU.

Hmmm...been hearing about a lot of bad Antec power supplies lately...guess their quality control problems are back again.

Cricket

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by Cricket Hmmm...been hearing about a lot of bad Antec power supplies lately...guess their quality control problems are back again. Cricket

That combined with the already finicky smartpower series, I wouldn't be suprised.

[supra]

Well thankfully you can't ship things on the weekend. Turns out it was a bad power switch on the case. I was able to easily replace it and I'm up and running.

I realized that since the PSU main connector is 20+4 I was able to take off the extra 4 pin part and plug the PSU into my other computer. The computer booted up fine so after getting some more testing and theorizing I found that the power switch was at fault.