Help really needed with faulty power supply unit

veruccasalt

THanks for looking firstly-I really need your help!

My pc died earlier today, then after a bit of cable wriggling from my dad, it restarted only to die again later on. I have spoken to a pc repair man who thought it sounds like the power supply unit that is causing the problem.

My dad took the side of my pc off (blimey, I had no idea it looked like that inside!) and we can see where/what the power supply unit is. I have taken a note of the part number. My questions are:

does anyone know where I could source a similar power supply unit-it is an FSP300-60PN(PF), in an Evesham computer that is 3 and a half years old.

also, would it be reasonably straightforward to replace the faulty unit. My dad (who is very clever) thinks there are 4 or so screws to undo and hopegfully just a bundle of wires with one plug to reconnect

I would be so grateful to anyone who can give me some advice on this. Thank you

vyseyboy

If the computer was bought as an all-in-one package, the model number of the computer would be a bit more descriptive, or even a photo of the power supply itself / the internal connectors it has.

But usually, for newer tower computers, the power supply is a standard ATX one, and it's simply a case of unscrewing, unplugging all the internal connectors, reconnecting the new one and screwing it in again.

Make sure the wattage is at least the same as the old one, if not more. (If it failed in the first place, it might be because it was under more load than it could handle. - or it could just have been it's time.)

Also, before buying one, it might be worth measuring the old one's physical dimensions to make sure you buy the right form factor. There's a chart of the usual dimensions here. I'd be surprised if it was anything other than ATX though.

Pretty much any computer shop would have them... PCworld, Maplin, or online if you want more chance of getting it cheaply, ebuyer, dabs, etc.

vyseyboy

Also, if it worked intermittenly, I'd try some other things first... I don't really know, but I think a dead power supply would either completely work, or completely be dead.

Do you get anything at all when you press the machine's power switch? Blinking lights, whirring fans, output to the screen?

Inside the machine, there'll be a card where the monitor cable plugs into... the graphics card. If this isn't sitting right in the slot, it can cause the machine to not come on at all. Try wiggling the whole card, push it down firmly.

fwor

Yes, it's a dead easy job to change, and it's just a standard 300 watt ATX power supply.

You might want to check the number of pins on the connector to the main board (24 pins is the most common IIRC) and then match that with an ATX power supply from somewhere like Maplin. Mail order shouldn't cost more than £20 plus postage.

I'd avoid the really cheap ones on Ebay, as they are reputed not to last very long!

And as vyseboy has said, it is a bit unusual for a power supply fault to get fixed temporarily with a bit of wire wiggling - they usually fail with a click, or a bang, and sometimes with smoke issuing...

veruccasalt

Thank you both very much for your advice.

I think the fault is a loose connection somehow. When I go to power the pc up, there is nothing at all, no noise, no lights, no sound.

But when I wiggle the cable at the back (hey, Ive learnt to do it now!) I have been able to get it going again. Also, I gave the processor tower a bit of a shake, and I can hear something moving around inside, like a screw or something.

Perhaps it has just come loose, as I see what you mean about it working or not. Clearly is it still working, just whenit wants to (rather than when I want it to!).

Might it be simply that it has come loose inside and making the connection unstable?

Also, sorry to be thick, but what is ATX-is it a make/manufacturer?

Thanks again

BillScarab

ATX is a 'form factor", basically a standard shape and size for the PSU. You can buy a pSU from any manufacturer and so long as it is an ATX one it will fit.

CHR15

Have you tried a different power lead??

They are standard power leads you find on kettles etc, you must have something about the house using one.

If it is the power supply and not the cable, one of these will suffice. As has been said, it is an easy changover (but may seem daunting if you have never seen inside a case before!) All the plugs only fit in the right slot and will only go in the right way round (pretty idiot proof tbh)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126038


Maybe in your case, going into maplin may be better, you will pay more but at least be able to speak to someone and be shown how to change it.

veruccasalt

Thanks for your help. yes, my Dad suggested swapping the power cable (told you he was clever!!). We did that, and also swapped plug sockets to check that isnt the problem.

I think a trip to Maplin sounds sensible. As well as the size, what are the other specs I need to match up? Watts, I think but what else?

Would I be better to try to get a FSP product itself or are they all comparable/compatible.

Thanks again.

CHR15

by the looks of the model number of your current one, it appears to be a 300W PSU.

This is considered a minimum these days. I wouldnt get bogged down in specifics, as long as it is an ATX PSU with the correct power connectors (you will be unlucky to find one which isn't suitable to be honest).

It does look complicated but it really isn't.

4 screws hold it in the case at each corner, the rest is just plugs. May be worth taking the old one out and take it with you into Maplins just to be sure.

John_Gray

A good idea would be to take as many photos as you can of the inside of the case, showing in detail where all the power connectors go. (Then print them out before you disconnect anything!)

spud17

They are standard power leads you find on kettles etc, you must have something about the house using one.

It's surprising how many don't realise you can do this.
While it's fine to temporarily substitute a kettle lead to rule out the original PC lead, it's good practice to replace the (almost certain) 13amp fuse with one rated at 3 or 5 amps if it's to be used for any length of time.