is my Power supply dead?

[Boolian]

Background: I am getting ready to do a new build. I am by no means an expert and it has been about 4 years since my last build.
I just ordered my last component and decided to check out the stuff I already had on hand.

Question 1: I have a Corsair TX650 power supply I bought from Amazon in May. I just took it out to see how it fits in the case. I decided to plug it in and turn it on..... Nothing. I tried a differnt outlet, again nothing. Shouldn't a power supply turn on, even if it is not in the case or connected to anything?

Question 2: the Case I have mounts the PS on the bottom(Vulcan NZXT). Do I mount the PS with the fan up (facing internals of the computer) or fan down towards the bottom of the case where there is an opening and a filter. I thought it should go down, but someone else told me PS fan should always be up.

Thanks for any help.

 

[BoomerD]

Background: I am getting ready to do a new build. I am by no means an expert and it has been about 4 years since my last build.
I just ordered my last component and decided to check out the stuff I already had on hand.

Question 1: I have a Corsair TX650 power supply I bought from Amazon in May. I just took it out to see how it fits in the case. I decided to plug it in and turn it on..... Nothing. I tried a differnt outlet, again nothing. Shouldn't a power supply turn on, even if it is not in the case or connected to anything?

Question 2: the Case I have mounts the PS on the bottom(Vulcan NZXT). Do I mount the PS with the fan up (facing internals of the computer) or fan down towards the bottom of the case where there is an opening and a filter. I thought it should go down, but someone else told me PS fan should always be up.

Thanks for any help.

Just turning the power supply on with nothing connected won't tell you anything...

Try this:

http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=63991

Depending on your case, you MIGHT be able to mount the PSU in either orientation...I prefer the fan facing down to prevent any possible damage from a loose screw falling into the unit, plus, it lets the PSU draw in cooler air from outside the case. HOWEVER, depending on the case and your flooring, you might also have to worry about dust/carpet fibers, etc. and even a reduced airflow with it facing down. You might want to elevate it a bit if it will sit on carpet.

 

[Icecold]

ATX power supplies do not turn on just by being plugged in, the motherboard turns it on when you press the power button on the case. To manually turn on an ATX power supply(without it hooked to a motherboard), you need to short the green wire on the ATX power connector to any of the black wires(ground). This can be done with a paper clip.

For more information, google 'manually turning on ATX power supply'

EDIT: BoomerD beat me to it by a couple minutes

 

[Boolian]

Thanks so much! I did the test and it works. I was worried there. I mounted the PSU fan down. I will make sure there is air flow for it from underneath.