I am working on a PC that will now power on since a recent storm. I switched out the power supply with a spare one which is 100 watts less than the original one. I only plugged it into the motherboard and hard drive. It does light up in the front and I can hear the power supply working now. I hear no other sounds though. Is that because I have to get the correct watts and plugged it up all the way? How would I know if there is a problem with the motherboard?
2006-07-27 08:16:42 · 7 answers · asked by jmccool77 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Make sure that all of the fans are plugged in and that you didnt accidentally knock out one of the fan power plugs. Many motherboard manufacturers will not permit you to boot the PC if the fan is not in place.
2006-07-27 08:22:13 · answer #1 · answered by Joe K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, you should get a power supply that is the same wattage as the original. Otherwise, you run the risk of lower performance.
Plug the monitor and other peripherals in and turn the PC on. You'll know the operating system will boot if it gets past the POST (power-on self test) screen and into the splash screen for your OS. If it doesn't, there should be some tests you can run in your motherboard's BIOS, by going into Setup during POST.
I hope this helps. Others will be able to fill in the gaps, I'm sure.
2006-07-27 08:25:45 · answer #2 · answered by royale76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you plug in your monitor? The computer should at least give the boot screen (the picture or words from your motherboard's manufacturer) even if the motherboard is the only thing with power. With a Hard drive, you should be able to boot and the computer should work. Make sure all the cables are all seated properly, including the IDE cable from the hard drive to the Motherboard. Plug in your keyboard and mouse too. It is possible that your monitor is fried, so if you can borrow a friend's to test with, that would be good.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
2006-07-27 08:24:55 · answer #3 · answered by Tim k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it boots up with no other problems then all is good! You will do just fine with the power supply u have. HEY CONRAD look and read the question 100 watts less then the original she didn't say only 100 watts Well good for you Konrad you know math even if it was only 100 watts you could still use it for just Internet with the bare essentials like hard drive and that's it.
2006-07-27 08:31:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anointed71 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it finishes the POST (Power on Self Test) then the PC is fine. However, I would not recommend attempting to even boot the system with everything installed and powered on with a 100W power supply, DO NOT even think of using it. Get yourself at least a 400W power supply, if not a 480W to 560W, depending on your needs. Note the more watts you get, the more heat it generates but if you need the power then you need the power. Myself, I have a system built for gaming and the 560W power supply I have in there provides stable power (for what I have) but I wouldn't even think of trying to run a 7950GX2 graphics card.
100W less than the original could be anything... yeah, I misread it but that's a strange way of stating something. Eh, that's as far as I'm going, people get weird when I correct them all the time, especially here so I won't this time...
2006-07-27 08:27:11 · answer #5 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pc should boot with a processor/memory/keyboard/mouse and some form of video...it should post without anything else....but i would plug it all in and see, just make sure the main connector is the right pin match...it might be quieter because the power supply fan is quieter in that one....but yeah...see if it posts without anything in the ide first just the monitor keyboard and mouse plugged in
2006-07-27 08:24:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEY JOE B, WHAT IF HER ORIGINAL PSU WAS 200WATTS?
2006-07-27 09:20:11 · answer #7 · answered by "NEWBIE UNLEASHED" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋