Power Supply DOA

[sgs]

Just started first PC build. Screwed in Antec 550 TruePower to case, connected
case fan to standard 4 pin peripheral outlet on psu (not fan only outlet),
plugged in the psu and turned it on (black switch from 0 to 1). I noticed that
the case fan is not running. Then I noticed that neither of the 2 fans built
into the psu are running.

Does this automatically mean that the psu is DOA? Is it possible that simply
screwing the psu into the case has created a short. Does the motherboard need
to be connected to the psu for the psu's internal fans to be running? What is
the easiest way to test if the psu is DOA?

 

[Cerb]

Yes, that's normal, because you didn't turn it on. That switch only provides the PSU power. The power switch is on the mobo. You have to plug in P1 (big 20-pin connector) and use that switch to actually turn it on.

 

[Zepper]

The power switch on the back does not turn the psu on, it merely connects it to the AC. The front panel switch turns the PSU on (momentarily connects the "power on" line, usually the green wire in the ATX connector, to ground).
. Computer PSUs do NOT like to be run without a load - 1 fan is NOT a load... You can get a PSU tester all over the place for about $10 - which supplies enough load for a brief test.
. Either use one of those, or hook it to the mobo and plug in a few drives to put some load on both the +5 and +12V lines.
.bh.