Whats it mean when I am getting -61.98v on the -5v line of a PSU?

[alm99]

When the computer boots up, I am get a reading of -61.98 on the -5v line, I am not sure what this means or what is usually on the -5v line. I am getting this reading off my antec aria power supply, its and antec 300w, that came with the case. Anyone have any idea?

 

[stultus]

Seek shelter immediately!

How are you measuring this -- with a program or through the bios? What motherboard?

I know speedfan incorrectly reports my voltages with my motherboard.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: stultus
Seek shelter immediately!

How are you measuring this -- with a program or through the bios? What motherboard?

I know speedfan incorrectly reports my voltages with my motherboard.

Just at bootup throught the motherboard

 

[Skippy81]

You should be getting around 5, for example 5.052v or something like that. Either it is a bug with the hardware monitoring in the bios, or the PSU/Mobo is faulty and the voltage is so far from its normal operating range that it is not being displayed correctly. It is not possible that the actual 5v rail can be operating at the displayed voltage, as your CPU would explode or at least not boot. Try you P3's psu and see if you get a more normal reading. If you do, then your antec PSU is shot. If you still get an absurd reading then flash latest bios,

http://www.biostar.com.tw/supp...php3?model=M7NCG%20400

This may also sort out memory compatibility issues I mentioned on your other thread.

If after all this you still get crashes and dodgy voltage reading, IMO your mobo is mashed.

 

[Lonyo]

But it's the -5v rail, nor the +5v rail.
What's -5v used for anyway?

 

[Skippy81]

Alm, post all your readings. The +5v rail is the important one. Most BIOS dont display the -5v as it is no longer used in modern equiptment: BTX mobos will only have the +5v which powers the CPU. If the -5 is the only reading given, then assume this is the +5v rail.

 

[ponyo]

It's -5V. Ignore it. It's not used anyways.

 

[Zepper]

Switching voltage regulators usually don't regulate very well at all without a load. As was said above, nothing uses -5 any more, thus there is no load on that rail. So it is not unusual to have strange voltages there, but I have not heard of 60+ Volts before - are you sure you didn't slip a decimal point? If this really bothers you and you want it to settle into the specified range, tack solder a 66-100 Ohm resistor between the -5V lead and any ground lead..
.bh.

 

[lenjack]

Agreed...ignore.

 

[boshuter]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Switching voltage regulators usually don't regulate very well at all without a load. As was said above, nothing uses -5 any more, thus there is no load on that rail. So it is not unusual to have strange voltages there, but I have not heard of 60+ Volts before - are you sure you didn't slip a decimal point? If this really bothers you and you want it to settle into the specified range, tack solder a 66-100 Ohm resistor between the -5V lead and any ground lead..
.bh.

Whatever you do... "DO NOT" follow the advice above :roll: Unless you have measured the voltage with a DMM, you really don't know if it's correct or not. In all likelyhood, it's just being reported wrong.

 

[Zepper]

Quite true - you should check it with a DMM before tacking in a resistor - but as the meter supplies little or no load, that measurement won't really be accurate either. That circuit isn't capable of much current anyway so the explosion won't be too bad - just start with a bit higher value of resistor, say 300-500 Ohms. Sorry, a little logy after breakfast...

.bh.

:sun:

 

[tynopik]

it's probably becuase your PSU does not have -5v line to begin with, as it is no longer required in recent ATX standards