Topic: Faulty power supply?

[mistybear]

The front fans that are connected to "Fan Only" connections from the power supply have stopped working, well the neon light on these fans, does flicker and the fans twitch. Michael has connected the fans to other molex leads and they work, so it appears to be the "Fan Only" ones.

Is this a power supply problem, or the leads? 
 

[Sandra]

Hard to say really M as the PSU is working but it could be an internal fault to the leads or a break in the leads themselves.
If its multiple leads and as you said it does flicker, then I would think its more likely an internal conection fault in the PSU.

[Reno]

Take a volt meter and check that powersupply as soon as you can. If the voltage is off on the working power leads then it could burn up your mainboard. If i remember right I think the right voltage levels is ground, 5+, ground, 11+. Check the schematic on the power supply to be sure.

[Sandra]

Bears dont usually have voltmeters or schematics Bob, only PCs 

[Rik]

I don't know, Baloo was very scheming.

[Reno]

Bears ?

The relevant stuff they print out on a sticker and put on the side of the ps box. I've seen machines burn up because the power supplies didn't put out enough voltage.

[Sandra]

Check the name of the poster Bob, then you will know what the bear refers to 

[mistybear]

Thanks Bob, but I'm fresh out of voltmeters. 

But a friend of Michaels may have one and he's going there tomorrow night. If that is the problem, how can it be fixed. 

And I assume it's safer to disconnect these fan only leads.

Sandra, the fans were working fine up until a few weeks ago and then it was an intermittent problem, then the fans stopped. 

[Sandra]

Is it one wire that feeds both fans or two independant wires/plugs ?

If its 2 then its going to be an internal fault, if its one then its possibly a break in the wire that sometimes connects and then doesnt due to vibration or air movement.

I assume if it proves to be a faulty PSU then as you havent had it long it will be under guarantee, so they should exchange it for you but Michael would be without his pc for a few days 

[mistybear]

It has two separate fan only leads.

If he does lose his PSU, I'll have to lend him mine. 

[Sandra]

Looking like it needs to be returned then as it seems like an internal fault to those two leads 

[Reno]

There's no way to repair a power supply that i know of. They're kind of like light bulbs in that respect. When they start to go there's no turning back, and sometimes they fry your machine on the way out. If i wasn't sure I'd turn off the box until i was sure. A $30 power supply is cheaper to replace then the sum of the other parts in the box.

Voltmeters are cheap. You could probably pick one up at your local department store for $10.

[Sandra]

If I remember correctly it was a good quality reasonably spec'd one Bob.
Much more than $30 but at least it should have a good guarantee.

[mistybear]

It's an Antec TruePower Trio 550 and returning it is going to be a real pain. That's if I can find the receipt.