The user often has to deal with system problems. Sometimes the monitor stops working, the sound disappears, or the PC completely turns off. In the latter case, you need to know how to check the computer's power supply.
It so happened that no one remembers BP. Especially when you need to diagnose the whole system. But analyzing the operation of the power supply is a necessary thing, since the device often causes many serious failures.
What problems?
Before you figure out how to check the computer’s power supply, it’s worthwhile to understand when to do this. For each component, the system has its own behavior scenarios, according to which it is possible to understand which part has failed.
With the power supply, some troubles can also happen, according to which it can be understood that this device requires diagnostics. So, in most cases, there are 4 problems:
- The computer becomes very hot, or the smell of burning becomes noticeable.
- When the system starts, third-party sounds are heard.
- The computer shuts down, restarts, or does not turn on at all.
- Computer components do not start simultaneously.
Heat
If you notice that the PC is getting hot, or you smell burning, you’ll have to figure out how to check the computer’s power supply. It is believed that this problem does not appear specifically with the device, but with its fan. In this case, many recommend cleaning it from dust. If the heating is still noticeable, and the smell is strong, you will have to change the power supply.
Sounds
Sounds are another reason to diagnose a power supply. Of course, rattle and hum can issue a cooler chipset or graphics adapter. But usually all sorts of noises are associated with BP pollution. Therefore, in this case, you will have to disassemble the system and thoroughly clean it. In this case, it will be necessary to affect not only the power supply, but also other devices in the system unit.
Off
If you are clearly aware that turning off or rebooting the system yourself is not related to software and the OS, then the power supply has become a problem. Most likely, it is overloaded due to the high energy consumption of other components.
Typically, this problem occurs when the user has selected a power supply, but has not calculated the required power. As a result, all components of the system take up too much energy, and the power supply can not cope with its work. In this case, you will have to buy a new device with more powerful indicators.
Launch
As you know, the power supply in many ways provides different power for different components of the system. And if it is not enough for all components, the device is rebooted. As a result, when the computer starts, the components are connected at the same time. In this case, you will have to purchase a more powerful device.
Causes
Before you figure out how to check the computer’s power supply, you need to understand why it crashed. There may be several reasons:
- Frequent voltage drops in the network are observed. Also, the voltage can go beyond the normal range.
- The components of which the mechanism is made may be of poor quality.
- Defective Model.
- The power supply is incorrectly selected for power.
Check
How to check the computer's power supply for performance? This is nothing complicated. There are several ways to do this. For example, first check the voltage supply. It is also worth analyzing the output voltage. It is important to visually inspect the power supply.
The order in which you will do the verification is up to you. The main thing is to be attentive and careful.
Voltage
First, the main thing is to disconnect the computer from the network. It must be remembered that the power supply operates at a voltage of 220 volts, and these are dangerous indicators for humans. Many experts require you to press the power button several times after turning off the computer from the network. In this case, the remaining current will leave the board and other devices, and it will be possible to work with the components.
Next you need to open the system cover. If you are disassembling a computer for the first time, try to take a picture or schematically draw an arrangement of all the elements so that when assembling you don’t get confused or mess up anything.
It is important when disconnecting all elements from the device to remember how the cables were located and what they were connected to.
How to check if the computer’s power supply is working? Need to find a paper clip. It will help to close the contacts on the connector of the mechanism. In this case, wire is also suitable. The main thing is to form it in the form of the Latin letter U.
Next, you will have to carefully look for the power contact wire. In some cases, it may have 20 or 24 pins. It will be enough to find a harness in which there are 20 or 24 multi-colored wires.
Now in the connector you need to find the green and black cables. Insert a paper clip into the holes where these wires lead. It must be ensured that it is securely installed and touches the wires.
After turn on the power supply. If the fan has earned it, then with the device, most likely, everything is fine.
Multimeter
The following method is suitable for those who want to learn how to check the computer's power supply with a multimeter. We return to the previous method and repeat all the above steps. We install a jumper in the green and black connectors again.
Next, turn on the power supply. If he earned, you can take measurements. If it does not turn on, then you need to repair or replace it.
This option is suitable for those who want to learn how to check the power supply without a computer. To load it, you can take an external cooling fan of 12 V. It needs to be connected to the power supply.
After - start the device. If it is working, then the fan will also start spinning. Next, you can start the diagnosis. Immediately it is worth noting that for those who do not understand much about the functioning of the PSU, this option will not work, because you need to understand the purpose of the colors of the wires.
For example, a black cable means "ground." Yellow carries +12 volts. The red wire is needed for 5 volts, and the orange for 3.3 volts. As a result, when checking stresses, all indicators must correspond to their values.
But in addition to the standard colors described above, there are other options. Gray is a Power OK signal that also works with a voltage of 5 volts. Nearby is a purple cable that operates with a standby voltage of 5 volts. Blue operates at a voltage of 12 volts and feeds the COM port and some PCI cards.
When using a multimeter, it is also advised to check other connectors of the power supply. You can diagnose the processor contacts and the SATA cable for connecting the hard drive.
Visual inspection
An equally important check is a visual inspection of the power supply. In this case, again, you need to disconnect the computer from the network. Then it will be necessary not only to disconnect all cables from the device, but also to get it out of the system unit.
Next, you need to disassemble the power supply. To do this, just unscrew the screws that we find on the wall of the housing. Having reached the "insides" of the power supply, you will need to examine a few points.
First, check the condition of the capacitors. They should not be swollen, have an external smell. Secondly, the fan should not be clogged with dust and dirt. In this case, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the device, and re-swollen capacitors.
Supporting Programs
You can also check the computer's power supply with the program. It is not easy to find a special utility specifically for diagnosing this device. But on the Internet there are many complex applications that check not only the power supply, but also other important parts of the system.
OCCT is a good utility that copes with the diagnosis and testing of various computer components. It can comprehensively test the processor, memory subsystem, graphics adapter, video memory and various power systems, including the power supply. In addition, the utility monitors temperature, voltage and other sensors.
To check the power supply in this program, just go to the Power Supply tab. The essence of testing is that high power is applied to all batteries. It should be noted right away that diagnosis is not a quick process. In some cases, it may take more than an hour.
In principle, almost all programs work to test the power supply through the maximum load. Similar utilities are Aida64 and FurMark.
How to check the power of the computer power supply?
If you need to check the power of the power supply, which would be suitable specifically for your system, you can use third-party resources. So, for example, many websites of power supply manufacturers have power calculators. The user enters such a section, enters all available components and calculates the power that the system needs.
If you need to know the power of the power supply that is already installed in the system, then in this case no program will help. Perhaps this method is even easier to use additional utilities. It is enough for the user to remove the computer cover and look at the PSU. On some models, the sticker is not hidden by the top or back of the system unit. Therefore, you can immediately consider the parameters of the device.
Unfortunately, in some cases you will have to get a power supply to get to this sticker. But on it you can see the power of the power supply.