Just need some confirmation.

Suspected faulty power supply, want outside opinions.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229094
from Sins Forums

Very recently (Two days ago, in fact), the newer of my two computers died. I was playing the Left 4 Dead 2 demo with one of my friends and it shut itself off. Repeated presses of the power button did nothing. After figuring out that it wasn't a power outage, I kneeled down next to it to inspect it and smelled smoke coming from inside of it. So, after going through my obligatory "OHSHITOHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT" moment, I opened it up and could find nothing wrong.

So, based on a review from the same Newegg page I ordered it from, I suspected that it was a faulty PSU. After speaking with my friends, one of them showed me that the same (Or, at least, a very similar) power supply was priced at $15 on Newegg, so I've not much reason to doubt them. I've ordered a new PSU and should have it in a few days.

However, I'm not an expert with hardware failures (Thank God), so I want some opinions from a third party. Did my computer turn into a brick because of a power supply failure or something else? I can see no damage to anything in the computer and the power supply was warm for several minutes after the failure. It still won't turn on, of course.

Edit: I'm still not going to get used to these forums' code. Links fixed.

93,005 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hard to know from your description. Could indeed be the PSU, but only replacing it could test that, I think. Did you check to see if it's the socket that went? Sounds stupid, but I'd check that too...if you know how. Take precautions. Fried 'puter is less serious than fried person.

I'd clean up things before putting it in. Maybe have a techie friend have a look at it. Maybe the PSU was inadequate for the demands of your computer? Hard to know without some details. Maybe you could remove the PSU and check whether it has any output when plugged in by itself? Just bouncing ideas here...

I do hope you solve the problem...you might want to check out whether anything else looks compromised after opening the box...also please take the usual precautions when dealing with a suspect appliance...

Good luck!

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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Carnston:

 

I'm not an expert by any means but it sounds like your system may have overheated. If that's the case, hopefully all you did was fry your PSU. Post your system specs in a reply and one of the gurus here should be able to give you some better advice.

 

Here's the specs from the Newegg page Carnston referenced: (Is this maybe a Cyberpower issue? Does anybody have experience with this brand?)

CyberpowerPC
Model Gamer Infinity 7519
Recommended Usage Gaming
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400(2.66GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor 4MB L2 Cache
Memory 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800
Hard Drive 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 7200RPM HDD
Optical Drive 1 22X DVD±R/±RW Dual Layer Drive
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT 512MB PCI Express Video Card
Audio Sound card - Integrated
Ethernet 10/100Mbps LAN
Power Supply 420W
Keyboard Logitech Deluxe 104 PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse Logitech Optical Wheel PS/2 Mouse
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Special Features Raidmax Hurricane Gaming Case
Motherboard
Chipset Intel G31
CPU
CPU Type Core 2 Quad
Installed Qty 1
CPU FSB 1333MHz
CPU Speed Q8400(2.66GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU 4MB
CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Graphics Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 4GB DDR2
Memory Speed DDR2 800
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec 2GB x 2
Memory Slots (Available/Total) 0/2
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 500GB
HDD Interface SATA II
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD±RW
Optical Drive Spec 22X DVD±R/±RW Dual Layer Drive
Audio
Audio Chipset Integrated
Communications
LAN Chipset Integrated
LAN Speed 10/100Mbps
Front Panel Ports
Front USB 2
Front Audio Ports 2
Back Panel Ports
COM 1
LPT 1
PS/2 2
Video Ports 2 DVI
TV Out 1
Rear USB 4
RJ45 1 port
Rear Audio Ports 3 ports
Mouse
Mouse Type Optical Wheel PS/2 Mouse
Keyboard
Keyboard Type 104 PS/2 Keyboard
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor

1 year limited
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Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If you push the power button and "nothing" happens (no lights, fans, etc) then it's likely the PSU. With PSU's you get what you pay for (most of the time)

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Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

OP edited. Sorry for the fudged links, just too used to BB code.

Those are indeed the specifications of the computer in question, Warreni. The only difference is the appearance of the case's sides. And, to Lantec, those are indeed the problems; absolutely nothing happens when I push the power button. Not a light, not a buzz, nothing.

Thanks for the replies, all. It's good to know there's somewhere I can count on for help.

Reply #5 from Demigod Forums Top

a quick test is to see if you can start the psu in isolation.

 

you can do that by using a paper clip to connect PWR ON and any GND in the above diagram i.e the green wire to any black wire.

p.s. just read your power supply is 420W and you have a 9800 gt. i've got the same card and was actually advised to buy a better PSU when i built my current machine. paid £40 instead £20, so i'm thinking maybe the demo was too intensive for you PSU and it kuputted... i'll check my watage when i get home.

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Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

UPDATE

The new PSU arrived and I've hooked it into my computer. So far, so good, the computer's started up and running like normal.

However, a new problem's shown up; I can't really run any of my games. Something's up with my display device and my computer's reverted to using its default one. It doesn't seem to be detecting my video card or something and I'm not really sure as to what the problem is. The card works, as I can visually confirm that the fan is running, but the computer isn't picking it up for some reason.

Does anyone know what could be going on?

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Something's up with my display device and my computer's reverted to using its default one. It doesn't seem to be detecting my video card or something and I'm not really sure as to what the problem is. The card works, as I can visually confirm that the fan is running, but the computer isn't picking it up for some reason.

You've connected the 6 pin PCIe power to the card?...;)

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 7

Something's up with my display device and my computer's reverted to using its default one. It doesn't seem to be detecting my video card or something and I'm not really sure as to what the problem is. The card works, as I can visually confirm that the fan is running, but the computer isn't picking it up for some reason.

You've connected the 6 pin PCIe power to the card?...

That wouldn't be the issue if he can see the fan running.  My guess is a driver issue... had a similar issue with my 9800GT when I first installed it.... Vista did not recognise it until I updated the drivers.

Carnston.... have you been to the Nvidia site to get the latest drivers?  Installing those may resolve your issue and you can then set your resolution in 'Display Properties'

Also, do you have the standard or low power 9800GT.... and what power rating is your new PSU? The reason I ask is that a 420watt (no-name/generic) is not really adequate for that machine and a standard 9800GT, particularly during graphic intensive processes such as gaming. 

If you have the 'low power' 9800GT, it draws its power from the mobo and therefore does not tax the PSU as much and the power rating isn't quite as relevant.  However, if you have a 9800GT drawing directly from the PSU then you should have a higher rating PSU (480 - 500w +) from a reputable manufacturer.

 

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Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 7

You've connected the 6 pin PCIe power to the card?...
Actually...um...this was the problem. The PSU I'd installed hid the thing beneath a maze of cables. Insert self-slapping where applicable.

So, for the most part, the problem's been solved. My computer's back in operation, albeit somewhat slower than usual. Thanks for all the help, people. If anything comes up, I'll be sure to update the thread again.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You've connected the 6 pin PCIe power to the card?...

Actually...um...this was the problem.

It's good to see you've gotten to the bottom of it... tho I'm wondering how you saw the 9800's fan running. ;)

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It's about time I got one right, dammit...;)

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It's about time I got one right, dammit...

Yeah, I marked one up on the wall for ya... might be the only one, but it's there... at long last. :-"

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Carnston, reply 9

Quoting Jafo, reply 7
You've connected the 6 pin PCIe power to the card?...
Actually...um...this was the problem. The PSU I'd installed hid the thing beneath a maze of cables. Insert self-slapping where applicable.
So, for the most part, the problem's been solved. My computer's back in operation, albeit somewhat slower than usual. Thanks for all the help, people. If anything comes up, I'll be sure to update the thread again.

I'd recommend running some basic hardware tests just to be sure everything's OK.  It's not uncommon for a power supply to take other parts with it when it dies.  Check for bulging/blown caps on your motherboard and video card, run memtest86+ for a few passes, and scan your hard drive with whatever program its manufacturer provides just to be sure.  It takes a few hours, but it will give you a little piece of mind.