PSU paperclip test passed new motherboard but no power after working for a while

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

Wemic

Distinguished
Apr 5, 2004
5
0
18,510
I think I may already know the answer but here goes. My PC has run almost 24/7 for about 5 yrs (not good, I know). Time for upgrade as my PC was starting to act wonky (sometimes no POST, problem booting into windows, etc) Bought new motherboard, ram, case and cpu. Got it all put together and into the case (no, I didn't breadboard), hit the power switch and nothing. Checked all the connections, looked for any possible shorts....hit power and nothing, no lights, no fans, nothing. Went to bed. Next day, I hit the power switch and bingo.....it came on. Was in business....so I thought. It ran for a couple of days. Today, I was changing the boot sequence in BIOS, shut down, tried to start it up again and nothing...just like the first day. Pulled the power switch connection on the motherboard and tried to start by shorting the power switch pins...nothing. Cleared CMOS....nothing. Did the paperclip test on the PSU....PSU fan turned on fine. Plugged PSU back to motherboard....hit the switch....nothing. Thoughts anyone? I'm pretty sure I'm going to be springing for a new PSU but I'm wondering if someone had any other thoughts. Note that I did run through the normal troubleshooting steps.

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Chicano
PSU develop different symptoms when they are dying* and you seem to be having one of them... the paper clip test is not conclusive... it only helps determine if it works or not but doesn't help knowing what voltage or amperage it supplies or how stable it does it. A bad motherboard could act similarly but you've replaced it for a new one and are still having power issues so it's fair to assume your PSU is the cause.


* I have experienced similar issues with 2 or 3 PSUs that stopped working, later worked again even for a while (can't recall exactly how long each worked but one did for months. So based on that I would assume your PSU is in terminal stage.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Chicano

Chicano

Judicious
Aug 29, 2011
5,071
29
35,490
PSU develop different symptoms when they are dying* and you seem to be having one of them... the paper clip test is not conclusive... it only helps determine if it works or not but doesn't help knowing what voltage or amperage it supplies or how stable it does it. A bad motherboard could act similarly but you've replaced it for a new one and are still having power issues so it's fair to assume your PSU is the cause.


* I have experienced similar issues with 2 or 3 PSUs that stopped working, later worked again even for a while (can't recall exactly how long each worked but one did for months. So based on that I would assume your PSU is in terminal stage.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
W

Wemic

Distinguished
Apr 5, 2004
5
0
18,510



Yup....took a multimeter to the PSU. Readings are all over the place.. I'll be checking out Best Buy after work tomorrow. Want to get my machine up for the weekend.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom