Testing a BTX Power Supply

[owensdj]

I'm looking at a Dell XPS 400 that has a 375W power supply. The computer is a BTX form factor system, so I'd assume the power supply is BTX as well. It has the same 24-pin ATX and 4-pin 12V connectors as an ATX power supply.

My question is should my ATX power supply tester be able to test it? From what I've seen in ATX & BTX specs, the pinouts on the power supply connectors are identical. When I plugged in the 24-pin connector, all of the voltage levels checked out as normal by the tester. When I plugged in the 4-pin 12V connector it caused the tester to not even function, so I'm thinking the problem with this system is the power supply.

 

[Aluvus]

BTX reuses the ATX power supply standard, although the changes in overall system layout may sometimes mandate different cable lengths.

Without knowing the details of your power supply tester, it is difficult to judge whether that result is really informative (including the initial "successful" test).

What problems are you experiencing with the computer?

 

[owensdj]

Most of the time the computer won't power on. Sometimes it'll power on for a moment and then power off.

 

[mpilchfamily]

That could be a number of problems. Go ahead and check the PSU with you rlittle tester. Also use a DMM to verify voltage readings. If the PSU checks out then there is probably an issue somewhere else. There is a chance the motherboard is bad if the PSU isn't. If thats the case you'll have a hard timeing finding a nixe BTX board.