Stupid quick question - Will a PS power on if not plugged into a motherboard?

[DietDrThunder]

The reason I'm asking is because I have a small case and I don't want to disassemble everything if it doesn't work. Or is this a bad idea?

 

[CurseTheSky]

No, but you can short two of the pins in the main (24-pin) connector, which will allow it to start. Google for which pins you need to short.

 

[Nohr]

You just need to short the green wire to any of the black ground wires. A paperclip is the easiest tool for the job. There are good instructions in this thread.

 

[Skandaluz]

You just need to short the green wire to any of the black ground wires. A paperclip is the easiest tool for the job. There are good instructions in this thread.

Yea, I use the paperclip trick all the time to test PSU's. Very cheap and quick. 🙂

 

[Meghan54]

Easiest way to do it.....not the most elegant, but easiest and cheapest.

You can spend a few bucks and buy something premade that does the same thing, but why?

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=2850

 

[Auric]

I recently tried this with two units and neither ran yet both did when connected to the mobo. I tried adding a fan for a wee load too. So not sure wha' happen other than perchance needing more time to charge.

 

[Meghan54]

I recently tried this with two units and neither ran yet both did when connected to the mobo. I tried adding a fan for a wee load too. So not sure wha' happen other than perchance needing more time to charge.

There is no charge time involved....either it comes on or not.

But, if they didn't start, look at the label on the power supplies sides. Are there listed minimum loads that have to be present? If so, then you MUST present the power supply with that minimum load....and fans typically don't present much of a load at all.

Older power supplies, or older power supply designs, can have a 1A minimum on every rail, and a fan won't cut that. Several fans may.....my S-Flex fans only have a 0.25A draw, so it'd take 4 to give a 1A load on the +12V rail, and that's only that one rail, not including any minimum necessary on the +3.3V or +5V rails.