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On Wed, 2008-03-19 at 06:41 -0700, Grant wrote: |
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> A Gentoo desktop of mine won't turn on anymore. I was hoping it was |
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> the power supply but I've installed a new one which doesn't fix the |
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> problem. Is there a sure way to know if the motherboard needs |
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> replacement or if I have two dead power supplies? |
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Well, it could be the cpu too. Or a PCI card - I've had them render |
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computers "useless" until they're removed. In fact, I recommend |
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removing everything (PCI cards, etc) but cpu, cpu fan, and one hd |
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(disconnect the ide cable) and then try to turn it on again. |
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Of course you also need to test the outlet - plug a light into it to |
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make sure your outlet works! |
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If it still doesn't work, you know it's either cpu, mb or ps. |
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If it's an old style AT power supply with a hard on/off switch you can |
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just plug in a couple of fans and turn it on. |
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If you have one of those new ATX power supplies that young-uns seem to |
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be using nowadays then its a bit more complicated! |
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Firstly you need some load. If you're not sure about your mb, you can't |
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use that. So you'll need at least a hard drive or two (I like using |
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cdroms, cause there's nothing much to damage, however they spin down |
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after a while) and probably a fan so you can see something spin. Unplug |
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all connections to the mb (IDE cables, power supply, fans etc) so you've |
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just got the load connected directly to the PS. |
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Here comes the hard part: you need to find pins 14 and 15 and short them |
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out! I recommend you unplug the PS from the wall (a switch is ideal), |
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short the pins, turn on the switch, see what happens for a few seconds |
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at most, then turn the switch back off. Try not to use the plug itself |
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to turn the power on. This is RISKY! Make sure you get the right pins! |
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I've used this test a number of times. Many thanks to |
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http://www.duxcw.com/faq/ps/ps4.htm for the ideas. |
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HTH, |
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-- |
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Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au> |
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|
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You are wise, witty, and wonderful, but you spend too much time reading |
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this sort of trash. |
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-- |
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gentoo-user@l.g.o mailing list |
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