PSU -12VDC reporting -5.95VDC

[blue_fog]

Hi,
I have an old PC (specs : Intel Core 2 Duo E4600,Intel 945GCPE,1 GB RAM, 160 GB Seagate HDD,I-ball PSU) whose HDD had been giving me problems for some time. I was about to replace the HDD when I downloaded the software HWmonitor from CPUID. It showes -12V DC voltage to be -5.95V DC. The computer is running fine with no problems. Is this a critical problem or just a software glitch?Please advise.
Thanks,
Blue_fog

 

[rinval]

other then some old serial ports (long since displaced by USB ports) i can't thing of any PC hardware that uses the -12v rail

your HDD is powered by the 12v rail, what issue are you having with it?

FYI, your PSU is not that great but may not be causing your HDD issue

+1 if the Hdd is not getting the correct power give or take .5 volts it will not function correctly. now you said that it is the -12V rail that is showing the 5.9 volts. are all the other rails within .5ish V of their desired voltages?

 

[ram1009]

Some older IDE HDDs used -12volts I believe. That might explain your problems. Try repacing the PSU with a known good one.

 

[blue_fog]

Thnks fr d replies,
My hdd is sata. All other voltages are in the desired tolerances.should i replace it? What watts do i need in the above mentioned system.