Is my PSU dying?

[Steyr69]

Hi Folks,

Im back here again with some trouble.

Below is spec of an old PC I'm using.

Mobo - Asus M4A78 Pro
CPU - AMD Phenom II X3 720
SSD - Kingston A400 240GB
RAM - 4GB KVR
PSU - Andyson G Plus 450W

Use onboard VGA.

Initially I have this DVD ROM, SSD, HDD...then experienced sudden system shutdown. So I remove the DVD Power connection and things were ok with SSD and HDD.
Just now, system hang....hard reset found my SSD wasn't able to identify and boot. My HDD boot.
I remove the HDD power and now PC ok with just my SSD.

Can see the PSU is pretty old....but only start using for like 7,8 months.
Previously it was in storeroom.

 

[Koenig168]

You can take a look at the PSU voltages in BIOS to check if significantly below 12V, 5V and 3.3V.

 

[Steyr69]

You can take a look at the PSU voltages in BIOS to check if significantly below 12V, 5V and 3.3V.

Thank you.

Not sure how low is low.

Vcore V - 1.41V
3.3 V - 3.20V
5 V - 4.999V
12V - 12.388V

Figure will varies but about there. Only the 5V figure no change.

Guess looks ok?

 

[Steyr69]

This ^

Download HWMonitor to check. Google for it

But given your current symptoms if you need to keep removing devices to keep the system alive the PSU is likely dying liao.

Looks like it....

Took a screenshot

Dunno how to decipher...

 

[Mach3.2]

Looks like it....

Took a screenshot

Dunno how to decipher...

Could be your mobo voltage readouts buay zun, but according to your screenshot, your 12V, 5V VCCH and 3.3V rails aren't hitting their nominal voltage.

Either the PSU or mobo, or both dying.

Thank you.

Not sure how low is low.

Vcore V - 1.41V
3.3 V - 3.20V
5 V - 4.999V
12V - 12.388V

Figure will varies but about there. Only the 5V figure no change.

Guess looks ok?

5V and 12V rail seem ok, but your 3.3v rail like a bit weak given there shouldn't be much load on your PSU in the BIOS screen.

If I have to guess it's probably your PSU on it's last legs.

 

[Koenig168]

PSU seems OK. You can ignore the HWinfo numbers as they are too far off i.e. sensors not being read correctly.

Please test the HDD, on another system if possible. I use the Extended SMART Test from WD Data Lifeguard which checks every sector.

Could also be bad SATA cables and/or ports. Suggest you try swapping them around and see if this solves the problem.

 

[Steyr69]

Either the PSU or mobo, or both dying.

If I have to guess it's probably your PSU on it's last legs.

Both quite old liao......the mobo was actually a handme down from a friend.

I recall an incident when the first shutdown occured...that time I still have the DVD ROM, SSD and HDD connected. There was a distinct burning smell from somewhere. I suspect it is the PSU. So I remove the DVD ROM power connector and reboot, surprisingly PC can boot up.
All was well until the system hang and I posted this thread.

 

[Steyr69]

PSU seems OK. You can ignore the HWinfo numbers as they are too far off i.e. sensors not being read correctly.

Please test the HDD, on another system if possible. I use the Extended SMART Test from WD Data Lifeguard which checks every sector.

Could also be bad SATA cables and/or ports. Suggest you try swapping them around and see if this solves the problem.

oh dear, the SSD is new stuff, I order from shoppee recently to speed up the system.

will monitor further and see how.

thanks!

 

[wwenze]

Hard to tell based on just voltage, because an old PSU with leaking caps can have the right voltage but high ripple.

 

[localITguy]

just get a new PSU and try.

doesn't hurt to have a spare anyway

 

[cscs3]

Thank you.

Not sure how low is low.

Vcore V - 1.41V
3.3 V - 3.20V
5 V - 4.999V
12V - 12.388V

Figure will varies but about there. Only the 5V figure no change.

Guess looks ok?

Is better to use a meter to check.
Also, if you can, open up the power supply to check if any capacitor get problem. This is common issue with power supply.

 

[cscs3]

PSU seems OK. You can ignore the HWinfo numbers as they are too far off i.e. sensors not being read correctly.

Please test the HDD, on another system if possible. I use the Extended SMART Test from WD Data Lifeguard which checks every sector.

Could also be bad SATA cables and/or ports. Suggest you try swapping them around and see if this solves the problem.

Yap, motherboard use AD converter method to read voltage. Not 100% accurate. Use a meter.

 

[Goodshot]

U might wanna just order 1 from shopee since is only cost u 1 day of salary. No need spend a whole week time to bla bla bla on it

 

[cscs3]

I would STRONGLY ADVISE against this if you don't know what you are doing.


PSU Capacitors are one of the most dangerous you can ever have in the home. You might have one explode in your face if you short the capacitor pins by accident. Not cool. Make sure you know which junctions to test before doing so.

Consider getting a new spare power supply. The amount you spend there is probably more worth than the medical fees you incur from injuring yourself whilst diagnosing the old power supply. If you are unsure and don't want to fork out as much money, you could probably try Carousell (though I still wouldn't advise this because of potential lemons).

Or if you are just shag out and don't want to spend more time diagnosing the rig, try asking Nigel @ L2 SLS? Quite a friendly chap.

I did not suggest you check it with power supply turn on. As long you know what you are doing, nothing need to worry. After spotting bad capacitor, you can always ask some experience guy to help in replacement.

 

[cscs3]

U might wanna just order 1 from shopee since is only cost u 1 day of salary. No need spend a whole week time to bla bla bla on it

Sometime this is beautiful of diy and learning. If want to save trouble, must well buy branded product and send in for repair when fault is developed.

 

[WTF!!!!!]

mother board problem

i have a x2

change mobo 3 times already

mobo cannot last more than 6 yrs

 

[Steyr69]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the advise and appreciate the highlighting of the dangers of opening up the PSU. Im well aware of the dangers of strong charge from caps.

There is no need to start an argument on opening PSU....

Im just asking for some advise and opinion. It is an old system and Im just using it as much as I could. One day the mobo or PSU kaput....that's that.

I want to reiterate I have no intention to open up the PSU even if it suddenly stop working.
It is an old part and it is not worth my time (and safety) to do it.

 

[occifer]

Hi Folks,

Im back here again with some trouble.

Below is spec of an old PC I'm using.

Mobo - Asus M4A78 Pro
CPU - AMD Phenom II X3 720
SSD - Kingston A400 240GB
RAM - 4GB KVR
PSU - Andyson G Plus 450W

Use onboard VGA.

Initially I have this DVD ROM, SSD, HDD...then experienced sudden system shutdown. So I remove the DVD Power connection and things were ok with SSD and HDD.
Just now, system hang....hard reset found my SSD wasn't able to identify and boot. My HDD boot.
I remove the HDD power and now PC ok with just my SSD.

Can see the PSU is pretty old....but only start using for like 7,8 months.
Previously it was in storeroom.

U should just buy a new PC....your specs weak bro.

Sent from myphone using GAGT

 

[Steyr69]

Hi Guys,

Im back again and I think it is my new SSD causing problems.

My mobo SATA port failed to detect the SSD. Previously, I tried remove and replugging the connector, it works for a while.
Then a few days ago, it just simply failed to get detected.

Initially, I was thinking my PSU...so I did remove DVD and HDD....it works but the problem comes back.

Yesterday night, I tried reconnect my SATA DVD rom and it was detected. Play music CD no issue. I was also thinking maybe SATA controller issue, so need to confirm. No obviously, it is not SATA controller problem.

So, now Im back to using slow poke IDE HDD again....

Really gets spook out by SSD. First time buy and use and encounter this problem. It is Kingston A400 240GB bought from Shoppee.
My friend already warned me about Kingston SSD....

Use only 3 months nia.

 

[Godeau]

I would STRONGLY ADVISE against this if you don't know what you are doing.


PSU Capacitors are one of the most dangerous you can ever have in the home. You might have one explode in your face if you short the capacitor pins by accident. Not cool. Make sure you know which junctions to test before doing so.

Consider getting a new spare power supply. The amount you spend there is probably more worth than the medical fees you incur from injuring yourself whilst diagnosing the old power supply. If you are unsure and don't want to fork out as much money, you could probably try Carousell (though I still wouldn't advise this because of potential lemons).

Or if you are just shag out and don't want to spend more time diagnosing the rig, try asking Nigel @ L2 SLS? Quite a friendly chap.

Second this, pls do not open your psu if you're not experienced