Using a multimeter

[jon woodall]

Hi to everyone. First time poster here. Im hoping someone could help me with using a multimeter. Never used one before and have read so much on testing the PSU and various other bits. But is there any info out there for a newbie on using one on the various parts of a PC.
I have searched through the Forums but it all seems to be very generalised.
i mean which bit do you where? is the PC on or off? Or shall i just go back to using a hammer?

Thanx in advance

JW

[ktkendall]

The only reason to actually get out the multimeter is if U really suspect the PSU is causing troubles to the PC and not putting out the correct voltages, and even then I would just swap power supplies and see if the trouble clears. I've been thru several electronic schools and have been a tech for 15 years and it is such a rare case that I actually break out the multimeter, let alone actually use OHM's law to figure voltage drop or current anywhere..

[rjfvillarosa]

I must agree with KT, I have been a computer/electronics engineer for around twenty years and I have never really found the need for a multimeter when working on PC's. you are far better off with replacing a component with one that you know works because Pc components don,t always give problems just because of a voltage variation.

[ktkendall]

Actually the only times I do get out the multimeter are not PC related either it is always a telcom related problem that I have actually dug out the old multimeter. Sometimes I do have to verify that I am getting the expected voltage or current under load that we need from the local telco or that our system is putting out the desired voltage to run whatever device is connected to it...

[flanzig1]

At work I use the DVM on non PC power supplies to check for AC ripple on DC lines. Great quick check to see if a supply is going bad.