PSU Problem (I think)

Question

Here are my basic system specs: (if any more info is needed, I can look it up) P4 2.4g 512mb ram 80gb hard drive Geforce 5700 256mb           For the past few months, I've been having a problem with the computer not turning on when it's off.  I have tested every external part leading into the tower, so I know the problem must be something inside, and i've been told the problem is most likely with the power supply unit.          The computer has, as I mentioned, had this problem for a few months, and i've just been keeping it on whenever it was possible.  When it did get turned off, if the power was connected, it would within about an hour start to have short 'surges' of power going through it.  The noise it was making sounded as if it was attempting to start up, but couldn't.  If I pressed the button while there was power flowing through, it would start up and run as normal.  One time, I also noticed that turning on and off the monitor triggered these 'surges' of power, although that only happened once, and I've not been able to duplicate it.         The problem this time is that the 'surges' aren't happening, and the computer is off.  I noticed that the problem started about a month after I upgraded from the 5700 from a Geforce 5200 128mb.   I regularly use my computer for gaming, in case that's any help.   Suggestions/help/comments will be greatly appreciated.

wtcnbrwndo4u · Answer

What system model do you have? Multipling posts will not help you get an answer faster. It will prevent it. Don't double post.

parkerti · Answer

I wasn't aware that the D2400 could be ordered with anything other than integrated graphics. At any rate, it sounds like a classic example of a bad PSU.

danjane · Answer

Sound like a power supply issue,  replace it a higher wattage psu because that video card needs alot of juice.  350w at least.

Silver2Falcon · Answer

I have a dimension 2400, although I customised it before I bought it, and the double posting thing was an accident :(.  I did ask a moderator to have the other two removed, though.

Silver2Falcon · Answer

Thanks for the help, and yeah, it is (or at least was a while ago) orderable with a Geforce 5200.  In fact, i'm surprised that the 5700 is causing problems, because it was also, if I recall correctly, orderable with a Radeon 256mb card (not sure what kind, exactly).  Anyway, hope it just is a PSU problem, so I can get back to using a computer that's not six years old pretty soon.

Silver2Falcon · Answer

I'm now in the process of deciding what to get. What would be the main difference between a 400 watt PSU, and a 350 watt PSU? I've been recommended to get something between 350 and 400 watts. Would a 400 watt be worth the roughly 20$ more it would cost? I'm on a rather right budget, so I'm trying to see how cheaply I can fix this. Also, is there a way I can check what kind of PSU I have, and how many watts it puts out?

danjane · Answer

You stated that you use computer for gaming so I would get the 400w for the simple reason that you are maxing out the video card and p4 and maybe cdrom and hard drive, depending on what you are playing.

Silver2Falcon · Answer

I just took a look at my PSU, and was able to see the following information:
Model- HP-P2507FW
Max Output Power- 250 watts

I'm thinking a 350 watt PSU would be good, since I don't really plan on adding anything else to this computer other than more ram.

Mickrym · Answer

I had exactly the same problem with my 4600 not powering on. I've just installed a new PSU (Thermaltake Purepower 420W) and lo and behold the problems disappeared! I'm in Australia and the new PSU cost me $99A - say $75US at current exchange rates.

Mike

gratefulv · Answer

This is yet another interesting thread proving that the Dimension 2400 appears to have a problem with the PSU. I have 11 of these machines in a computer lab that isn't used very much. One machine just bit the dust and I started looking at the forums to see if I could find an alternative to the Dell replacement parts items. There are a lot of people who are having problems with the PSU on this model and others manufactured about the same time.

I mean, I've got machines that are approaching 8 years old and they're still going strong. I can't understand why in the world these would start croaking after only a year and a half. It just doesn't make sense.

gratefulv · Answer

No kidding! I'm seeing a lot of buzz about power supplies on this forum and there was apparently a thread or two that have been deleted. So, who knows!

I did order a replacement for the one PSU that died a couple of weeks ago. The replacement was relatively inexpensive (they only have refurbished!) so I orderded two. Problem is, they sent me the wrong part! Instead of a 250W I got a 200W. So I tried to resolve the problem using their e-mail support because I didn't want to sit on hold for nine years.

The first response was to ship power cords and charge me $11 for the things which I never even authorized! Their second response was: "Well gee sorry you got the wrong part, call us and order the right one. No return authorization, just order a new one!"

I called and bit the head off of one poor rep who really didn't deserve my abuse (we made up, so it's ok) and she set me up with the return authorization and connected me with tech support to get the right part number. So, I'm sitting on hold for about the eighth year and I get this message, "Your call can not be processed, please hang up now!" AAaarrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!

I'll buy the PSU somewhere else.

Good luck everyone!

Val

Silver2Falcon · Answer

actually, if you recommend a 400w, I mine as well just get an Antec Trublue 480w, since Amazon is selling them quite cheaply right now. And yes, I do use it for a lot of gaming, as well as image manipulation. I'm probably maxing out everthing on the computer when I can.

*edit* just noticed your reply gratefulv, and I agree, it makes absolutely no sense that these would just be dying out. Mine -seems- to have a reason for it at least. Although I really don't think upgrading the video card should have been an issue, especially since a similar radeon card was one of the ones I could have gotten with it when I bought it.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone, this is one of the more helpful forums i've been to. (now off to play ancient games on the ancient computer) :)

Message Edited by Silver2Falcon on 05-16-2005 10:38 AM

Silver2Falcon · Answer

@gratefulv wrote:

No kidding! I'm seeing a lot of buzz about power supplies on this forum and there was apparently a thread or two that have been deleted. So, who knows!

I did order a replacement for the one PSU that died a couple of weeks ago. The replacement was relatively inexpensive (they only have refurbished!) so I orderded two. Problem is, they sent me the wrong part! Instead of a 250W I got a 200W. So I tried to resolve the problem using their e-mail support because I didn't want to sit on hold for nine years.

The first response was to ship power cords and charge me $11 for the things which I never even authorized! Their second response was: "Well gee sorry you got the wrong part, call us and order the right one. No return authorization, just order a new one!"

I called and bit the head off of one poor rep who really didn't deserve my abuse (we made up, so it's ok) and she set me up with the return authorization and connected me with tech support to get the right part number. So, I'm sitting on hold for about the eighth year and I get this message, "Your call can not be processed, please hang up now!" AAaarrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!

I'll buy the PSU somewhere else.

Good luck everyone!

Val

I'm most likely ordering mine of Amazon, hopefully tonight.

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PSU Problem (I think)

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