Replaced PSU, Now I'm having problems starting the computer

[Shawn48]

I built my first computer about 3 years ago and have had no problems with it until about a year ago.

About a year ago my PSU started to make a high pitch noise when the computer was on and off. I came back home from school one day not long after and found out that the computer wouldn't start. I checked the green light on the motherboard and it would not light up when I flipped the power switch on the PSU. This all happened about a year ago and I am just now able to get around to fixing it because I have been so busy with school.

I put an order in to newegg for a OCZ Fatal1ty 550w PSU (Newegg.com - OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply) to replace my Xclio 500w PSU that died.

I received the PSU today and tried putting everything together, but I'm having trouble getting the computer to start up now. I pulled the motherboard out, laid it on something that is non conductive, attached the Video card, CPU, heatsink, RAM, and the PSU to the motherboard. The green light lights up on the motherboard and everything seems good to go. I have been trying to use my flat head screw driver to jump start the motherboard by touching it to the metal points where the Power SW goes but it doesn't do anything. It has worked many times in the past, I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. Any one have any ideas?

Also, the green light on the motherboard isn't a steady green light it sort of slightly blinks every second. The light never goes completely out. I don't know if that means anything but I don't want to leave anything out here.

[flanzig1]

Well, you have 2 possiblities. One, the new PSU is DOA and two, the motherboard is also bad. If you can get a volt meter, would check the voltage at the 24 pin plug and see what the different voltages are. Personally, I would have picked a different brand of PSU like Antec/Corsair/FSP.

[Shawn48]

I would have a hard time believing that it is DOA especially since it lights up my motherboard, although I do know this happens. Is there a way to test my motherboard for being dead?

[Shawn48]

Ok, so I forgot that I had accidentally bought the wrong motherboard and forgot to send it back so I have a spare one. I just set it up outside of my computer case and the heatsink, video card, and psu started up instantly without me having to jump start it. I'm going to see if this motherboard works out...

[Shawn48]

I connected everything perfectly but unfortunately, for some reason when i turned the computer on, my hard drive went up in smoke. Not sure what the heck just happened, but I guess I'll be picking up a new hard drive tomorrow...

[David M]

Whoah...you let the smoke out! Test your PSU's voltages before plugging it back into anything. Get a multimeter and use a paperclip to jump between the green wire and any black wire on the 24 pin connector. It should now fire up which will allow you to test the three different voltages.

Test your board on a non-conducting surface, connected to nothing but the essentials to make the board work. Don't test the new drive until after you have done PSU test. Anything over a 10% difference between what it is and what it is supposed to be is unacceptable.

Return the OCZ if you can and get a Corsair, Antec or Seasonic PSU. This one sells at a really nice price point.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

or

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

[Shawn48]

Ok I'll look into returning it. I did not know that a power supply can put out too much power that i can burn out a hard drive. Is there a way to adjust it? Thanks for the link

[glc]

This PSU is also very attractively priced:

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

[Shawn48]

Thanks for the help GLC.

Obviously I'm still a beginner at building computers. I'm still a little in awe that my Hard drive went up in smoke today. How is one suppose to know if the PSU he/she bought isn't just going to destroy other components on start up. I'm still confused as to how this happened. Does anyone mind trying to explain it?

Is it a case of a poor quality power supply, or does this happen even with reputable power supplies?

[David M]

Originally Posted by Shawn48 Ok I'll look into returning it. I did not know that a power supply can put out too much power that i can burn out a hard drive. Is there a way to adjust it? Thanks for the link

It's not the power, it's the voltage that can kill things...either too much or too little will do that.

Any PSU can go bad, it's just that some are more prone to that than others. This is why PC Mech has a list of ratings for PSU's all the way from excellent to relative garbage.

What Power Supply should I get? How many Watts? Who made it? Guide Inside.

As you can see from the list, some of what OCZ makes is okay stuff. It's just not the best of the best. If it all costs pretty much the same, you may as well get the best. I tend to favor Corsair, unless someone needs an economical, lower power but reliable PSU, then I will suggest Antec.

[Shawn48]

ok, that's interesting because the X clio 450w psu ranges from 115/230 volts and the one I just used to destroy my HD is about the same with 100/240V.

My computer's specs are:

Amd athlon 64 3200+ 2.2ghz

1gb ram

Radeon X800PRO 256MB video card

2 case fans

"creative" sound card

and soon to be another WD hard drive

Can I save some money by not buying a psu over 500w?

[glc]

For the price after rebate and free shipping, that Antec 650 is hard to pass up. It's a proven quality unit.

[Shawn48]

I've already put in an order for the antec and sent the ocz psu back. Hoping things will go smoothly when I get it and the new hard drive in.

[Shawn48]

I just received my antec and new hdd. I am about to connect everything and start everything up, but I want to be on the safe side here. I notice on the antic that there are four 6-pin connectors on the psu and another one that is colored red and says 12v3/pci-e/hdd. Would the one in red be putting out more voltage and possibly be a reason I burned my hdd with the last psu?

[flanzig1]

The six pin plugs are for video cards. The third plug you ask about, not sure. If it has a thin black connector then it is a SATA power plug. If you had plugged in the correct plug into the HD and it blew, the problem was either the PSU putting out incorrect voltages or the HD was ready to die.

[Shawn48]

Fixed orginal problem, nvm

edit: Is it normal for my Amd athlon 64 3200+ venice to be running at 96 degree F?

[glc]

96f is very cool.

[Shawn48]

Alright, glad to have my computer up and running in perfect condition again . Thanks glc and everybody else, I appreciate the help!