How Do I Know If the Power Supply Inside My PC Is Not Good?
A computer's power supply unit (PSU) is one of the most important components in the case. Often overlooked, many common problems can be caused by faulty or incorrectly set up power supplies.
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Instructions
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Before Turning on the PC
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Expansion port slots on a computer's motherboard Open up the computer's enclosure, exposing the power supply unit. Usually, the PSU is mounted at the back of the case, above any expansion cards.
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A power supply unit with connectors Make sure all connectors going from the PSU to the motherboard and other main components are in place. Consult your motherboard manual--often found at the manufacturer's website--for assistance on this.
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Use a screwdriver to remove the power supply and check the voltage output, as this can be changed via a small switch on the back of the unit. The correct voltage is dependent on the country the device is being used in; in the US, this should be 115v.
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Replace the power supply unit once you are satisfied all connections are secure and the voltage is correct.
Switching On
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A computer power switch Power up the computer. A tell-tale sign of power supply failure is intermittent performance, so if the PC does not turn on at all or is prone to doing so, then this may indicate a problem.
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Monitor your PC's temperature, as a hot PC can be caused by a malfunctioning PSU. There are a number of free tools that can tell you how hot your computer is running. One such free program for Windows is Motherboard Monitor (see Resources).
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A fan on a computer PSU Listen to the fans in the power supply. If you cannot hear the fans moving or if the power supply is too loud, then this could mean a problem with airflow, which will eventually put other components at risk from heat damage and affect system performance.
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Monitor overall PC performance. A faulty power supply can cause sudden reboots and system lockups, especially under load. It is worth testing some processor-intensive programs and logging any computer crashes and their circumstances to help solve the problem.
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Tips & Warnings
Not all crashes, freezes and spontaneous reboots are caused by a problem with a power supply. If problems persist even after replacing the unit, then the motherboard, processor or graphics card may be at fault.
A power supply can cause many of the problems already mentioned if it is not powerful enough for the computer's needs. If you have added more hardware or peripheral devices, it may be that you simply need to upgrade your power supply.
When conducting any work inside the computer's case, it is important to ground yourself so that static electricity does not damage any components. An inexpensive solution is to purchase an antistatic wrist strap and wear it for the duration of the procedure.
References
Resources
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