Desktop computer issues...
 

I did some tests on my computer, for my Cisco 1 class, and proceeded to put the machine together.. all the parts in the right order, IDE1, IDE2, etc.

I plugged in the power supply to the surge protector.. and got 2 faint bips, not beeps.. they didn't make a sound.. but rather it almost felt that my power supply had given its last "bips"...

The power supply fan has stopped working.. the 250W power supply from when I bought my.. /doesn't want to get flamed/ DELL 4100 has never been changed permently, and for the most part.. I keep it on for most of the week, with 2 CD drives, 3 drives, etc.. I HOPE its not the mummy board.. But I'm going to bring in my power supply to class and ask my prof to plug it in to a supply tester..

We were shown this device in class that can show whether or not a certain power supply is good or "DANGER".. *sigh*. Tiger Direct as "given a spot" by my prof doesn't seem to have one.. (keyword: gadge; power supply)

picture below:
http://www.dansdata.com/images/psutester/tester640.jpg

You can open up the power supply and check the fuse or fuses. Most have a fuse inside that sometime may blow due to age or overloading. Just make sure you have all connections connected firmly and correct first. Good luck

Thanks
Dudelive

Do this at your own risk...
Assuming that you have a standard ATX power supply (some DELL's dont !)

Is the power cord plugged into the power supply?
Is the surge protector on?
Is it plugged into a live outlet?
Plug the power supply AC power cord directly into a wall outlet.
Many recent ATX power supplies have an additional power switch
on the back of the power supply itself. Is it on?
Is the power supply set for the correct voltage?
Most of them have 110/220 Volt switch.
The 220 volt setting won't work in the U.S.A. The 110 volt setting in Norway, for example, will probably fry the power supply--I've done it!:rolleyes:
Unplug the power cable to the power supply and disconnect all of the power cables
from the power supply except the main power connector to the motherboard.
Disconnect all other cables to the motherboard except the front panel power-on connector.
Remove all expansion boards from the computer.
Push the power-on switch and see if the power supply fan turns.
Try another outlet.
Now to answer the question...
Unplug the power cord from the power supply,short-out pins 14 and 15
on the power supply main power connector, and plug-in the power cord
just long enough to see if the fan is working.
This may not be the best thing to repeatedly do to an ATX power supply (it can damage it).
The ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide states that the power-on function should be normally
done with TTL (transistor transistor logic) circuitry which pulls pin 14 low.
I use a jumper cable with alligator clips at each end with partially stretched-out
paper clips in each alligator clip (an old trick).
Pull the power plug before removing the jumper.
If the power supply works, remove the motherboard and see if it is shorted-out by a stand-off or lose screw.
I have seen cases where a particular "good" ATX power supply would not work with a
particular "good" motherboard--so much for standards and design guides.

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Oh my.. that is what we were shown in PC hardware class...

3.3, 5, and 12 volt from Power Supplies..

I guess I'm a lil worried about "frying" my self by opening my power supply.. *sigh*.. I know.. where is the roouahc.. hehe

I don't think my DELL has a normal power supply.. it doesn't have a I/O switch at the back.

The messed thing about it was.. it worked FINE, before I did the tests.. and now.. grrr..

/me yawn.. sweepy time. :)

Ok... desktop working.. :):) the CPU wasn't seated properly. *yikes*

The weird thing is.. when I load "SpeedFan" I don't get a reading from both fans.. I get a reading from my Powersupply fan.. but not the one inside the power supply.

It seems that my troubles start when I leave the computer online for long periods of time. The keyboard and mouse (USB) literally freeze; but the screen still shows up.