Shot PSU?

[auveeb]

Well, I ordered a cheapie PSU for my first build (3700+, 6800GT). I set up everything inside the computer, then I fired up the PSU @ 115v. Nothing happened. Is it because of the wiring? or because of the PSU? Should I RMA it? It has an on/off switch in the back too, I changed it to ON.

Also, I tried unplugging everything and trying 230v, and I heard a little whizzing sound inside but the fan never actually spun. I turned it off and it kind of whined and turned off. Suggestions?

 

[GamerExpress]

Dude, before you fry any of your stuff what kind of PSU is it, what are the specs ie...how many watts and whats the amp rating??

I wouldn't have gone with a cheap PSU especially when it looks like you spent some cash to get a nice machine. A PSU is not something you want to skimp on, I would RMA it and see if you can spend a bit more and go with a nice Fortron 500 or a Seasonic unit.

 

[auveeb]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

That's the PSU I'm using

 

[Machine350]

Make sure and double check all of your connections, especially that extra 4 pin power connector on the pcie boards (easy to miss). Make sure you switch back to 115v if you live in the U.S. If after rechecking all connections, it still doesn't work, it could be DOA, send it back. By the way, that PSU isn't really expensive, but it isn't a piece of junk either. It's a solid budget power supply.

 

[auveeb]

Yeah, I think I'm RMAing it. My real question is: isn't the PSU supposed to start functioning (as in the fans begin spinning), if it's plugged into the wall, is on and isn't plugged into the mobo?

 

[Heligrin]

Is the PSU turned on? I mean sometimes i get the | and o side mixed up...

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: auveeb
Yeah, I think I'm RMAing it. My real question is: isn't the PSU supposed to start functioning (as in the fans begin spinning), if it's plugged into the wall, is on and isn't plugged into the mobo?

No, the PSU won't do anything unless the main 20 or 24pin connector is hooked up to something. I'd recommend getting an ATX tester (like the frozencpu.com or antec one).

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

A little while back, I had attached the USB front ports improperly, and the system refused to power up before I fixed them. That mistake cost me about $40, I'm ashamed to say.

Anyway, the point is, there are a thousand little things that could be causing your problem. Make sure you spend some time making sure everything is connected properly before you RMA it.

 

[taterworks]

Did you check Gadget Row, where you plug in the front power switch, reset switch, power LED, and related things? I remember building my first machine - Abit had mixed up the top and bottom rows of 'gadgets' in the schematic in the manual, and I stormed around the house wondering what could possibly be going wrong. Get an experienced PC builder to help you if you can't figure it out. Don't mess with the voltage selector switch! Some have fried components in the past by doing this very thing. If you have any further questions about anything else, ask back here before trying random things. It is possible to seriously screw something up to the point where you'll have to buy another one - if you double-check Gadget Row, and try various configurations of that, and nothing still happens, it's possible you fried your PSU or something by switching it to 230V. No warranties will cover this - if you did this to your power supply, you're going to need to buy another one, and the one you have is scrap.

I wouldn't expect that TR2TT power supply to be poorly made. It's probably not like the DEER or L&C units that were catching fire randomly some time ago.

 

[auveeb]

Hmm. I plugged only the main wire (the 24pin connector) to the motherboard and the PCI-e connection to the motherboard and fired up the PSU. But since I'm in a little cheapie apartment, I noticed the lights dim for a second once I flip the switch (on/off) to turn the PSU on or off. So I know it's getting power. Is it neccesary for all the LED wires/power/reset and stuff to be hooked up too? I can't figure those out for the life of me.

 

[taterworks]

***YES - THOSE ARE IMPORTANT!!!***

If I were an insensitive person I'd smack my forehead and say "Duhhh". But I realize this may be your first build, and so a number of n00b mistakes are tolerable.

The info for plugging in those front panel controls is in the motherboard manual. If you get it right, it should fire right up. If not, double-check the connections. You need good light to make sure you can plug everything into the proper pins.

 

[auveeb]

I guess that explains it then. THe only thing is, the motherboard I ordered isn't very specific and doesn't really say what goes where. It's an Epox 9npa+.

 

[Mavrick007]

Yes, it could be as simple as having the right pins connected on the motherboard with your power switch. I have that same power supply and it is a decent one for the job. Like they say, make sure all the cables are connected from the PSU to the mobo correctly as well and it should fly.

 

[auveeb]

Great. Cool cool. Thanks guys I'll reply here later

 

[ElFenix]

PSs don't turn on anymore just by turning the switch in the back. they receive a signal from the motherboard when the power pins were shorted. if you never plugged in the power switch and didn't use some other method to short the pins, you never told the PS to turn on.

i hope you didn't burn anything out flipping it to 230.

 

[auveeb]

I don't think I burned anything out as there would be sparks and stuff right? My motherboard and everything was fine once I switched it to 230. It was for like 10 seconds.

Anyway, I still cant get the power stuff working There are a bunch of extra wires (more than what my mobo supports) like + and - and I can't get it to work. Argh

 

[diapickle]

Originally posted by: auveeb
So I know it's getting power. Is it neccesary for all the LED wires/power/reset and stuff to be hooked up too? I can't figure those out for the life of me.

If you didn't connect any of the LED/power/reset wires, how did you power up in the first place??? Did you try "open sesame"?

 

[auveeb]

There's a manual button on the mobo iirc