Is this a PSU problem

[macbak]

Yesterday started to hear a clicking sound coming from the PSU...like something was touching the fan.
Disconnected everything, opened the case and loosened the screws so I could get under the PSU (fan on bottom) used a can of air to clean out computer case and fan. But now when I turn computer on light and fans start for about 3-4 seconds then everything shuts down. Computer will repeat this process until I disconnected the power.

Does it sound like the PSU is shot? Any thought would be helpful.

PSU cooler master 550
MB MSI P35 Neo2
Win XP pro

Thanks
Macbak

 

[badge]

The only moving part on a PSU is the fan. The hard drive however has moving parts and is capable of making a clicking sound. I would check all the connections to the MB, especially the SATA connectors. Be sure you didn't know a cable or video card or some or RAM loose. Check it. You could try unplugging the HD and see if the system boots into BIOS. Maybe the HD is clicking, a sign it is going to give out?

 

[Infinity_Wasted]

check all the connections, making sure you didn't loosen anything when you cleaned the case. it's possible that one of your power connections slipped a little when you blasted it with the compressed air.

if it's not that, then do a test-build: unplug/remove everything except the most necessary components (MB/1 stick of RAM/VGA/PSU/CPU). make sure any cables aren't touching fans/moving equipment. if you still hear the clicking sound, try your best to precisely locate where the sound is coming from. whatever it is, RMA that sucker and get a replacement- especially if it's a PSU or HDD!