Checking a PSU

[WilliamP]

My daughter has a Gateway 556GE that died. It won't do anything. I pulled the power supply and after researching I jumped the PSU and checked the voltage output. It checked fine with a volt meter. I ordered a Thermaltake DR. Power PSU tester. When I hooked it up all the lights lit up except the -5V. I hope someone has some experience with the Dr.Power PSU tester. Does this indicate a problem?

 

[Zap]

ATX specifications has dropped the -5v rail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX

Look under "ATX12V 1.3" to see "The -5V rail is prohibited."

Thermaltake (and most others) need to update their PSU testers to remove the -5v test.

It still may be the PSU. If you can "borrow" one from another (working) computer, test it out. If it still doesn't work, then probably the motherboard.

 

[WilliamP]

Thank you Zap. I was worried that it was the mother board.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Does the PSU you have now have information on it that could help you identify what ATX spec it complies with? It may be printed on the side. Also, unless you place a load on it, you could have a PSU that tests OK at idle.

Does the MOBO have a status LED on it?