Did my PSU kill my computer? Tech help.

Hi, maybe u girls... erm.. professionals can help me

Here are my specs:

AMD'64 3200
2gig ram 2x1gig
Radeon 9800pro AGP
160gig hd SATA
450Watt PSU with an extra 4pin 12v as well as a regular power connector.

So I build the system about 4 months ago, all going well till today when I put the computer in Standby (as ive done many many times), I then pressed the reset button by mistake (not sure if this is relevant or not) instead of the power button to bring the computer back from standby.... Nothing happened it didn't reset or leave standby, I had to switch it off from the plug.

When I powered it back up the computer will not boot. The system is getting power, all the fans are spinning, my HD and PW lights are on but it wont boot the strange thing is is that my PSU is now giving out a loud high pitch sound (which it never did b4).

Ive taken out all my drives, but still no luck and still the scary loud high pitch sound. My impression is that the PSU has some how failed and might need replacing. I have a spare PSU in the house but it does not have the extra 4pin 12v connector and from when I build the system I needed that plugged in to get it to boot.

Would you guys put your money on the PSU being the problem? I cant test my CPU as I dont have another AMD'64 pc.

This not what I wanted the day WOW:TBC lands on my door mat :help:

Get anything come up on-screen?

No, no vid output what so ever, doesn't even ge to the BEEP! you hear a second or 2 after u turn it on.

Yup. PSU popped. I think :)

I'd check the power connector on the motherboard first. Might not be plugged in properly. Actually you might as well check all the power/data connections while you're in there.

If it does turn out to be the PSU then at least its still under warranty if its only 4 months old (right?)

would a knackered PSU still put power across the system?

The PSU came with the tower case so im sure if its under warranty, I've re-seated the power cables lots of times still no joe.

Where did you buy it from?

I got a load of PC components from CCL once, and the PSU went faulty after 8 months (which also came with the PC case). They replaced it straight away (just the PSU, not the whole case, which saved me from having to strip down the entire system), no questions asked. Everything from CCL comes with a 12 month RTB warranty and I would assume that to be the 'standard' for any reputable dealer.

I'm not sure on the low level electronics stuff but I'm aware that a blown resistor can sometimes cause a 'whistle' noise as you described. Would that stop any power getting through? I wouldn't like to say.

Could well be a knackered PSU, then. Just a bit odd it happened by pressing reset by mistake.

PSU's that come with cases don't tend to be much cop, in my experience.

Just seems odd if it is knacked why its powering the fans etc? but a PSU should not make that sound so Ill contact ebuyer ASAP and see i if can get it changed.

Thanks guys.

Yes. Just not enough. The high pitched noise is probsbly not a good thing anyway. If it where me, I'd screw the warranty and get a new high quality PSU. Like one from AC Ryan, Thermaltake or Corsair - all three companies offer high output modular power supplies that help reduce cable clutter in your case.

Much like stock coolers, you usually just get the cheapest solution that could possibly work.

Sounds like a faulty PSU, they will still power stuff if they have a fault it could be something simple that doesnt stop its operation but will stop the computer firing up. Might I suggest for a rig like that I would go for a 550W PSU

I run a 6600GT and 3200+ on a 350W PSU, so I'd have thought the PSU should have been powerful enough, so it sounds like it is faulty. In which case, get it replaced if it's just 4 months old.

And apologies for thread hijack, but if anyone can help out, I'm also seeking PSU advice in *this thread* in relation to replacing my CPU.

my PSU did that last week, it was a dying capacitor. If I left it for 20 - 50 minutes and tried powering it up it would eventualy work unless it was unplugged from the mains.

I just bought a new PSU last week and all is well again :)

The fan on the PSU has "Locked"

Mine's on it's way out now too. I live in a house with dirty electric and i've been foolish and not been using a surge protector. Now the system whistles when you turn it on (and more recently there's been the sound of a "sizzle" which I assume to be the bearings in the DVD drive spinning up.) I have to wait 2 more days to have even enough money to buy a protector!!!

Just hope it's not the sound of the capacitors on the mobo frying - that's what my dying PSU did to me. The caps eventually popped, killing the mobo and HD, and dripped moulten gunk all over my GFX card. :/

heh, One nice thing with my new Case is that it has a seperate compartment for the PSU with a drive cage at the opposite end and its at the bottom. So PSU heat doesn't reach the CPU GPU or RAM and the PSU can cool your HD if you want.

The case didn't come with a PSU though, but I'm really happy with the new layout, does seem to make quite a difference.

Hi guys.

Well I replaced the PSU and all is working now, unfortunatly this PSU sux and is noisey so im off down to PC WORLD in a few days to get a "silent" PSU. Cant bare a nosie system.

Simple question: Do I ask for all the problems I get? I think in this case, the answer is yes! :))