Is this a PSU issue?

[hsfnewbie]

Hi,

I'm experiencing a problem where my computer shuts off randomly. I would have to power-cycle the PSU and replug the 12V into the mobo in order for it to turn on.

Here's what I have:
mobo: Asus p4c800E-deluxe
processor: P4 3.2 ghz
CPU fan: Zalman (forget the model, but it's the big circle one.. tihnk 3200CU or something?)
ram: 2x512 MB Crucial DDR 3200
case: Antec 900 (with 3 120mm fans and 1 250 mm fan)
peripherals: 1xDVD-ROM, 1xCD-RW
PSU: OCZ 550W Slipstream (i think this is what it's called)

Scenario 1:
1) Computer shuts off
2) I power cycle the PSU and unplug/replug the 12V to my mobo
3) Press power, and nothing happens
4) I disconnect one of the case fans, re-do step 2, and it turns on

Scenario 2:
1) Computer shuts off
2) I power cycle the PSU and unplug/replug the 12V to my mobo
3) Press power, and nothing happens
4) Disconnect one of the case fans, re-do step 2, and everything twitches but doesn't turn on.
5) Disconnect all my case fans (they're all linked together to 1 PSU plug), and re-do step 2, and everything turns on
6) While the computer is on, i plug in that cable into those case fans and they turn on.

I have the Asus monitor running
12V = ~11.855 to 12.159V
5V = ~4.892 to 4.915
3.3V = ~3.28 to 3.296
VCore = 1.584 to 1.6

I've had my PSU since October 2004.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated. If you all think it's the PSU, then it's an easy solution. If it's the mobo or anything else.. then that would suck.

Thanks

 

[Aknosis]

It seems there may be an issue with the PS and the fans? It doesn't make sense that you would have to unplug them to get everything going and with 550w you definitely have plenty power.

I think you have lots of trial and error to play with here... unless you are good with electronics and have a voltage tester.

I would suggest testing another PS if possible same wattage or lower ~400-450 and see what your results are.

You might also try moving the power plugs with the fans so they aren't all going through one plug, doesn't make much sense but it might solve it.

You might also try running only one fan at a time and see if you get any different results maybe there is an internal short inside one of the fans.

Hard to say exactly, I don't know much about electronics but I think you should be able to rule out some stuff with this testing.

 

[hsfnewbie]

"You might also try moving the power plugs with the fans so they aren't all going through one plug, doesn't make much sense but it might solve it"

I had been running like this for the last 3 years, so I thought it would work. But maybe one of my fans is shorting out.

I will play around with it. I thought at first it was because there was too much dust in my case, so I cleaned the CPU fan a little. But now that I have my side case door off, it's been working the past 6 hours.

Anyhow thank you for your suggestions. I will try that

 

[jackschmittusa]

Well, since all of the fans have motors, they all have a current spike when they start. PSUs deteriorate over time, all of them, no matter what brand. Fans get harder to start with time too. Everything from loss of any lube, worn bearings, gunked up with dust.

You are lucky as hell not to have blown something by plugging the fans in while the rig is powered.

 

[robisbell]

get a multimeter and test the voltages from the PSU manually with and without a load.