Is my power supply on the way out? | Forums

[Sun_Ra]

My rig will not start normally anymore. Pressing the front on/off button has no effect. Last couple weeks, the only way I can get her to start is to reach around the back and flip the little power rocker switch on the power supply a time or two, then push the front on/off button. She will then start up and run just fine. I have an OCX 520 model power supply. One interesting thing I noticed while reaching back to fiddle with the switch is a very faint intermitent slow clicking like sound coming from the power supply (when she doesn't start up). It's not a fan noise, and not really a sharp clicking sound more like a faint squishy sound, very hard to describe. Happens about once per second.
Didn't see a reset button on the power supply. Think there is any hope, any way to get things back to normal short of buying a new PS? Thanks.

[Worf101]

In a word.... yes. I recently had to replace my power supply, it was doing weird things as well upon start up. Nope PSU's take a beating and don't last as long as they should sometimes.

Da Worfster

[MaxMhz]

Looks like it Sun_Ra.

Better replace it ASAP for a bigger one.

Once it definitely goes it can do a LOT of harm to your system. You don't want that.

There might be more that's dying inside your box.
Check if the PSU is hot, and get Speedfan to monitor the voltages - great free utility - It can only help.

The clicking you hear is likely a protection circuit, and no, there is no way to reset a failing PSU.

[joe.08]

also if you do get a new power supply please do not patronize establishments like best buy.

i mean its a cool store with lots of cool stuff, but it seems that any computer component they sell is marked at least twice as high as online stores like newegg or tiger direct

you probably already know though

[PF_Coastie]

Some of the OCZ'z have adjustable rails (my 520 does). Have you looked at the 3 lights on the back when it is running to see if they are all green? If any are red, you may have to adjust it.

If you try adjusting any of these rails, BE VERY CAREFUL! They are VERY sensitive and a little bit goes a long way.

[Sun_Ra]

Coastie, all three PSU lights are green. I'll try to paste a picture of my little power/overclocking monitoring utility. It shows voltages. Problem is I don't really know what all the numbers mean. I'm thinking the 3.22V is too low. I occasionally open the panel on the Core Center and slightly overclock with good results, but using the Core Center I can't bump the 3.3V Wonder if I can permanently bump that up with the adjusting pots on the PSU?




I have decent case ventalation and after marked fan on cpu so temps are always <45 C.

[JG52Uther]

Screenshot of my core center next to yours.Also using an OCZ520.


oops you can't really see the figures to well.
v.core 1.35
3.3V 3.30
+5V 5.03
+12V 12.20

[x6BL_Brando]

Isn't BIOS adjustment the only safe and reliable way to administer changes in voltage? Is Core Centre a shortcut to administering changes in BIOS settings?

I thought the normal approach to overclocking was to disable Cool n' Quiet altogether?

Nothing to do with a duff PSU of course, just a reflection on this new topic

B

[Sun_Ra]

Thanks Uther.
Brando, I have not enabled the Cool & Quite feature of the core center. If memory serves this is enabled in the bios. Cool/Quiet never really worked right and I didn't trust it. Other features work just fine, can adjust all voltages shown by increments of 1,3,5,7,9%

When I get time I'm going to fiddle with the PSU's voltage adjustments and see if I can bump the 3.3V. Probably grasping at straws though.