PSU which is dying?

D

dasos

New Member
There is a psu which lately does not shut down normaly, most of the times.
When I shut down Windows, psu's led gets red instead of orange
(red means power fault, according manual).
So I have to turn off/on psu's switch, in this way led gets orange.

Does this situation means that psu is dying(4 years already working, 3 of them in a htpc) or could mean something else?
 
For 4 years worked normally, now has this issue, do u think its about time to die?
Or could be somethjng else?
 
Power supplies can go out at any time. There is no set time for one going out. You can always put in a different one and see if it reacts the same.
 
Yes, but its more possible for an old psu to breake, than a new one.

I dont have time now to test it in another pc
May I go on in this way until it will totally break, or could that be any dangerous?

You can always put in a different one and see if it reacts the same
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Another psu or another pc?
In the same room there is another pc with another psu which works properly.
 
a different psu. It's dangerous to continue using a problematic psu. It may take out other components.
 
But as soon as led gets the right color, works without further problems until I shut down system.
Are u sure I shoud replace it immidiately?
 
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dasos said:
In which way the brand name could help?
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If we know what power supply you're talking about then we could find out if this is a common issue or not, or what that LED light actually means.

I don't understand why you won't say what it is? :confused:

'Power fault' could mean that the power supply is on it's way out, possibly. Or maybe set to the wrong voltage? I don't know. Without knowing exactly what power supply it is, it's difficult to tell.
 
Like said above. Different manufacturers, (power fault) could mean different things. Could be just a bad cord or anything!
 
Exactly, and by knowing the brand/model, most of us here can determine the design of the PSU, the likely issues, and if that may be a problem
 
spirit said:
If we know what power supply you're talking about then we could find out if this is a common issue or not, or what that LED light actually means.

I don't understand why you won't say what it is? :confused:

'Power fault' could mean that the power supply is on it's way out, possibly. Or maybe set to the wrong voltage? I don't know. Without knowing exactly what power supply it is, it's difficult to tell.
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I dont want to focus to brand names instead of the problem.

For 4 years the power supply was on its way properly and suddenly is on its way out?

Is it possible for the user to set another voltage?

StrangleHold said:
Like said above. Different manufacturers, (power fault) could mean different things. Could be just a bad cord or anything!
Click to expand...

U r talking for the cord which goes to the wall?
Nice idea, I ll change it.
 
So you aren't willing to post a model number so that we can look up history of it to see if this is a current issue with it? We are only trying to help you, which you aren't giving us the information we ask for.

As I see it, you have choices.

1. Try the psu in another system to see if it still happens
2. Buy a new psu and see if it works correctly.

There isn't much else you can do.
 
dasos said:
I dont want to focus to brand names instead of the problem.
Click to expand...
Usually when you have a problem with something, you at least tell us what the piece of hardware you are having a problem with is. For example: 'my WD Green drive died today...' etc.

I don't know why you won't tell us, but whatever.

For 4 years the power supply was on its way properly and suddenly is on its way out?
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Not unheard of. Things do break eventually. 4 years isn't bad going at all for a power supply.

Did you upgrade any components in your PC and leave your existing PSU? If you did, maybe the PSU hasn't got enough power to power the new components (especially likely if it's a new graphics card).

Is it possible for the user to set another voltage?
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Usually no. Unless it's an older PSU which has a switch on the back for voltage, but even then only one correct voltage will work. This is what happens if you set the incorrect voltage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrijOqu5oR4

Most modern PSUs select the correct voltage automatically to prevent that from happening.


If you haven't already, try another PSU or try this PSU in another PC, just to determine that the PSU is at fault here. Is this PSU even working - but is showing that LED, or does it not work at all and show that LED?
 
There's not too many PSUs that do this. OCZ do it and it means a replacement. Xbox does it too, and well, that's a different story. Anyway, the guessing game is pointless.

If its the same Dell POS that we have discussed before, then read the manual as the diagnostic lights will tell you what is wrong.
 
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I noticed that led change from orange to red-red to orange every 5 seconds or so.
If orange, system starts normally.

I ll get rid of it and replace.
 
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