Antec PSU out of the box failure

[alanjones]

Hello
I've got a strange problem.

My antec 450 smartpower 2.0 (which came with my new sonata II case) psu works only once and then never again.

My MB is an ASUS A8V with an amd 64 3200, further I have an Ati Radeon 9800 SE.
When I first assembled my pc, I made sure I connected the 20pin power line to my MB (I had to separate the 24pin line), I connected the 4pin line to power the cpu and finally I connected the extra power to my 9800. This system worked only once ( I powered it up only briefly, before further connection my HD, DVD...)

The second time I tried to power up, nothing happened. Only the green LED on my MB stayed lid. No fans, not even from the psu started spinning. Fearing I may have damaged my MB, I used my old AOPEN PSU 300watt which does work perfectly. So I must have a faulty Antec PSU right? BTW I didn't smell anyting burning or so in the PSU.

I returned the Antec PSU, in the shop they confirmed it was apparently broken and I was given a replacement one. However the exact same thing happened with this new PSU, it also worked only once! I was delighted when it firsted powered up my pc, but I quickly turned it off and on again to verify, and voila same problem!!
Still my configuration works with the older 300watt psu.

What could be the problem with this Antec psu? I can imagine the face on the shop assistent when he sees me returning my second psu in two days...

Thanks for helping out,
Alan

 

[designit]

It sounds like something is shorting it. could be your mobo.
It pays to buy a digital voltmeter ($20) and test the rails.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

If you look on the back of the power supply there is a switch there. You can flip it up & down like a light switch on your home's walls. You should try flipping it the other direction if it is not working.

 

[orangat]

Do you have the old ps that you can test your mb with?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
If you look on the back of the power supply there is a switch there. You can flip it up & down like a light switch on your home's walls. You should try flipping it the other direction if it is not working.

NO! FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE DON'T DO THAT!. You can completely fry a PS if you have it set to the wrong voltage, so do not under any circumstances try turning it on with the wrong setting.

 

[leigh6]

Last time this happened to me I accidently attacked a screw to the motherboard without their being a standoff underneath. Just check to see that their are no screws underneath the mobo and that the mobo is offset.

Maybe a 2% chance.

 

[mechBgon]

It sounds like you disconnected the extra four-pin section of the ATX 2.0 cable and plugged the extra four pins into the motherboard's ATX12V receptacle.

That is your error. The extra four pins from the 24-pin main cable are not the same as the PSU's actual ATX12V cable, which is what belongs in your Asus's ATX12V receptacle. Compare the wire colors... ATX12V has two yellow (12V) and two ground (black). The extra four on the ATX12V cable are not the same. Your mobo is probably toast too

 

[Budman]

come on people it's not a short,how do you explain that his old Aopen 300 watter works fine?

Looks like you killed an other Antec PSU,RMA time. 3rd time's the charm?

 

[ones3k]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
If you look on the back of the power supply there is a switch there. You can flip it up & down like a light switch on your home's walls. You should try flipping it the other direction if it is not working.

NO! FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE DON'T DO THAT!. You can completely fry a PS if you have it set to the wrong voltage, so do not under any circumstances try turning it on with the wrong setting.

I think prodigy was actually mentioning the on-off switch =P

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
It sounds like you disconnected the extra four-pin section of the ATX 2.0 cable and plugged the extra four pins into the motherboard's ATX12V receptacle.

That is your error. The extra four pins from the 24-pin main cable are not the same as the PSU's actual ATX12V cable, which is what belongs in your Asus's ATX12V receptacle. Compare the wire colors... ATX12V has two yellow (12V) and two ground (black). The extra four on the ATX12V cable are not the same. Your mobo is probably toast too

How on earth would you even get the 4-pin breakaway connector from the 24-pin cable to fit in that spot? The holes are shaped differently, aren't they?

 

[Skyhanger]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
It sounds like you disconnected the extra four-pin section of the ATX 2.0 cable and plugged the extra four pins into the motherboard's ATX12V receptacle.

That is your error. The extra four pins from the 24-pin main cable are not the same as the PSU's actual ATX12V cable, which is what belongs in your Asus's ATX12V receptacle. Compare the wire colors... ATX12V has two yellow (12V) and two ground (black). The extra four on the ATX12V cable are not the same. Your mobo is probably toast too

He's correct.
I have a SonataII and I'm using my Smartpower 2.0. It's been treating me nice. It's real stable and quiet.

The PSU comes w/ a 24pin mobo connector and a seperate 4pin connector to connect to the mobo. Even if you detach 4 pins from the 24pin connector, you should still use the original 4pin connector on your mobo. I believe you have fried both of your PSUs... maybe you should be more careful.

If old PSUs come w/ a 4pin and 20pin connector, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out the new PSU that come w/ a 4pin and 24pin connector should be connected similarly too...

 

[mechBgon]

How on earth would you even get the 4-pin breakaway connector from the 24-pin cable to fit in that spot? The holes are shaped differently, aren't they?

It might take a bit of force, yeah.

 

[designit]

Originally posted by: Budman
come on people it's not a short,how do you explain that his old Aopen 300 watter works fine?

Looks like you killed an other Antec PSU,RMA time. 3rd time's the charm?

Maybe he should get Fortron junk and everything will be fine?
give me a break.
what happens if he gets the 3rd and follow exactly same as did and fires again.
So that should mean Antec is piece of junk. Is this what you are really after?

 

[srygonic]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
If you look on the back of the power supply there is a switch there. You can flip it up & down like a light switch on your home's walls. You should try flipping it the other direction if it is not working.

NO! FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE DON'T DO THAT!. You can completely fry a PS if you have it set to the wrong voltage, so do not under any circumstances try turning it on with the wrong setting.

Eh? I have that switch at the back of my casing and I don't think switching it on or off will do anything execpt off or on the power supply..

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
If you look on the back of the power supply there is a switch there. You can flip it up & down like a light switch on your home's walls. You should try flipping it the other direction if it is not working.

NO! FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE DON'T DO THAT!. You can completely fry a PS if you have it set to the wrong voltage, so do not under any circumstances try turning it on with the wrong setting.

I think you misunderstood. I was talking about the power switch dude. Some people have actually missed that before. :shocked:

 

[0roo0roo]

he's talking about the 120v/240v switch. for international compatibility..and very bad to fiddle with

 

[Bozo Galora]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
How on earth would you even get the 4-pin breakaway connector from the 24-pin cable to fit in that spot? The holes are shaped differently, aren't they?

Nope, just tried it with a Tagan 480
Both fit the mobo +12V +12V GRD GRD connector easily.
Of course, the split off connector HAS DIFFERENT VOLTAGES

So, mechBgon may be correct

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora

Originally posted by: ViRGE
How on earth would you even get the 4-pin breakaway connector from the 24-pin cable to fit in that spot? The holes are shaped differently, aren't they?

Nope, just tried it with a Tagan 480
Both fit the mobo +12V +12V GRD GRD connector easily.
Of course, the split off connector HAS DIFFERENT VOLTAGES

So, mechBgon may be correct

wow, i assumed they would be keyed differently as well. thats pretty silly.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: designit

Originally posted by: Budman
come on people it's not a short,how do you explain that his old Aopen 300 watter works fine?

Looks like you killed an other Antec PSU,RMA time. 3rd time's the charm?

Maybe he should get Fortron junk and everything will be fine?
give me a break.
what happens if he gets the 3rd and follow exactly same as did and fires again.
So that should mean Antec is piece of junk. Is this what you are really after?

nice fanboy comments here.

Fortron is junk?

I'll assume that PCP&C are junk now compared to the almighty Antec :disgust:

btw, that Aopen 300W is a FSP

 

[alanjones]

Originally posted by: rise4310

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora

Originally posted by: ViRGE
How on earth would you even get the 4-pin breakaway connector from the 24-pin cable to fit in that spot? The holes are shaped differently, aren't they?

Nope, just tried it with a Tagan 480
Both fit the mobo +12V +12V GRD GRD connector easily.
Of course, the split off connector HAS DIFFERENT VOLTAGES

So, mechBgon may be correct

Thanks for the many replies.
I made sure I didn't accidently used the 4 pin breakaway to power my cpu, but rather used the correct 4 pin connector.
I'm pretty sure I fried both PSU's but I don`t know how! After the first one was broken I accepted the fact that this could be a one off, the second convinced me it was me doing something wrong, but I don`t understand how my old Aopen psu works perfectly while this `cutting edge` (well antec claims it has all sorts of industrial grade under - and overvoltage protection) breaks after one try..
Btw to test my motherboard out of its case I placed it on styrofoam, so it the motherboard shouldn`t short circuit.

Alan

 

[Bozo Galora]

Well, that is indeed some strange stuff.
Its not the mobo, it works.
2 blown by second boot.
I guess you could go back to your supplier with your PC and try a third PSU. only option then is to get a dif brand right there.
BTW: You didnt mention if you actually checked to see if the voltage selector on back of PSU is set to 115V

 

[egkenny]

Did the power supply work with just the motherboard connected? If yes then maybe you have a short somewhere.

I once shorted out my system by installing a CD drive. The system no longer booted. It turned out that if screws were placed in certain holes in the CD drives side they would short out the CD drive. Moving the screws solved the problem. Fortunately this Antec P/S only got real hot. It is still working fine over a year later.