did my psu bite the dust?

[videopho]

Guys one of my older desktops has appeared dead.
First sign was all usb ports refused to show up, meaning any thing connected to an usb port did not work.
Then next power up does not do a thing, no sign of any power whatsoever. I did manage to unplug the power cord and did all the basic CPRs but the rig appears dead COLD.
Did my psu call it the day?

 

[lakedude]

I don't suppose you have an extra PS just laying around, or a friend with one you can borrow? Just swapped out a bad PS this week my self...

Computer is dead except maybe the led on the PS itself, power switch does nothing?

Unless maybe the power switch went bad or became disconnected, or unless the MB is bad you most likely need a PS. They are fairly cheap online (don't just go run off to BB).

 

[Zap]

Possibility. USB runs off 5VSB rail. If PSU was dying, USB ports would become unpowered. Maybe.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Could always jump start the PSU with a paper click to see if it powers on at all, if not then the PSU is dead. If it does start, then fault may lie with the motherboard but I don't think it's really possible to discern which is the culprit without a more detailed inspection.

 

[mfenn]

Given that the USB ports failed first, I'd suspect the mobo before the PSU. Obviously the PSU is an easier thing to test if you have spare though (maybe from one of your other PCs?).

 

[mfenn]

Could always jump start the PSU with a paper click to see if it powers on at all, if not then the PSU is dead. If it does start, then fault may lie with the motherboard but I don't think it's really possible to discern which is the culprit without a more detailed inspection.

OP, one thing to keep in mind about the paper-clip test is that it will only tell you if a PSU is bad because it doesn't put any real load on it. In other words:

Test fails: Definitely bad
Test passes: Might be good, might have another problem

 

[rickon66]

Power supplies are usually the first thing to go on a desktop PC, it is good to keep a spare around for trouble shooting purposes.

 

[lehtv]

Power supplies are usually the first thing to go on a desktop PC, it is good to keep a spare around for trouble shooting purposes.

Are they now...? Power supplies can last for a decade while other components like hard disks and graphics cards fail

 

[VirtualLarry]

I agree that at least with OEM branded systems, the PSU is generally the first thing to go. (Or possibly a DVD/CD drive.)

 

[lakedude]

So my guess is the PSU but it could be the main-board or just the power switch/wiring.

I've purchased dozens of computers and fix them at work as well. On my personal equipment I have replaced only one MB (burned up trying to feed power to 3x video cards and a 6 core cpu), maybe one graphics card, maybe one stick of RAM, a few CD/DVD drives, a few hard drives (mostly Seagate or low end WD, plus 2x Samsung), and several power supplies. Never had a bad CPU of either brand. Seems like those Cyrix chips were not so good back in the day but that was so long ago and I never had one myself...

Modems (back in the day) and power supplies tend to go out in stormy weather because they are dealing with surges directly, while the stuff in the box is somewhat better protected...

 

[videopho]

UPDATE:
As strange as it may sound...
Went to MC picking up a new psu.
Went home took the old psu (Antec) out and popping in the new one.
Same freaking issue. Put the old psu backed in.
Decided to take off the case front panel and found loaded of dust fiber around the fan and the power switch, cleaned it the electronics duster.
Turned on the power switch, bingo.
It got power and everything seems fine so far.
I may keep the new psu for a little while longer before returning it.