Power problem

[claxer]

When i switch on my pc, it appears to start up as expected (i see the power/HD lights come on and the spinning sound of the HD) for about 3 seconds then imediately powers down.

I thought maybe i had a faulty power cable, but tested with another cable and symtems are no different.

All cards/ram appear to be secure in the PCI slots etc..
All cable appear to be secure in motherboard etc..

errmmm.....

thats all i can say... any suggestions - ANYONE??

 

[edfair]

This is a classic symptom of a power supply crowbar shutdown. As the power supply comes up the protection circuit senses an overcurrent draw and throws the crowbar across the lines to protect the input circuits.
This can be a power supply problem, or the result of something else starting to draw excessive current. It can also be a marginal power supply becoming sensitive operating near the supply limits.
What power supply do you have? What processor are you feeding? What other power hungry items installed?
You start by going back to minimum. M/B, floppy, and video and see what happens. Then add items between shutdowns till it fails, then change order to see if it is one specific item or just the load in general. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Eguy]

Hi claxer;

Does the CPU fan start when you power up? Some MOBO's will imediately shut down if the CPU fan is not detected or spinning.

Ed Please let me know if the sugestion(s) I provide are helpful to you.
Sometimes you're the windshield... Sometimes you're the bug.

 

[claxer]

Thanx for the replies - errmm....
My power supply is now completely fuggered. I need to get a new one.

Thanx anyway

:-(