Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Paperclip
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Step 1
Locate and remove your power supply. This is fairly easy, if you're somewhat accustomed to computers. First, open up your computer. Your power supply is located on the back of your computer, where your power cord plugs into. You will see wires and connections going from the power supply to various places inside your computer. Unplug all of them. On the back of your computer, there will be four screws holding your power supply in. Unscrew them and, if you've disconnected everything correctly, the power supply should slide out.
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Step 2
Get a paperclip and bend it outwards, so that both ends of the paperclip are parallel to each other (see picture).
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Step 3
Grab hold of the motherboard connector on your power supply. It will be the largest connector attached to the power supply (see picture).
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Step 4
Identify the green cable on the motherboard connector and the black one right next to it. Insert one end of the paperclip into the green connector, and the other end of the paperclip into the black connector (see picture).
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Step 5
Viola! If you're power supply is able to generate any power at all, you should see it kick on. Don't assume it's not damaged, though. Keep the power supply powered for at least 20 seconds, and ensure it doesn't power down during that time.
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Step 6
If your power supply didn't power up, then junk it and order a new one. If it did, then at the very least, you know that's not to blame for your PC power failures.
Comments
greatgreat8 said
on 7/14/2009 great article 5*
goodselfme said
on 7/13/2009 Good directives to test the power supply to my computer.
sonni57 said
on 7/13/2009 Thanks for the details on how to test a power supply I would never figured it out on my own.