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psyte
10-20-2002, 01:41 AM
I just got my new case!!! (sorry, kind of excited) Anyways, on to my question. I haven't got any of my other parts yet; all I have is the case, the psu, a light, and 2 fans. Is there any way I can test the psu to see if it is good?
Norin
10-20-2002, 01:50 AM
If its the same type of power supply as your current computer just try testing it in there.
psyte
10-20-2002, 02:27 AM
Yeah, I thought of that right after I posted. The computer I tried it on was a reeeeally old Dell. I hooked up all the connectors and switched on the power supply. It made an extremely high pitch noise (barely audiable, yet very annoying). Then I pressed the power button on the and nothing happened. Also, the fan on the power supply never turned on. Not looking too good.
bwkaz
10-20-2002, 10:45 AM
How old of a Dell is it? Anything that's a P2-450 or newer (probably some older models as well) uses a strange (read: not ATX) power supply pinout. But the connector is exactly the same...

The problem you're describing is very similar to what happened to a friend of mine who tried using a Dell power supply with a standard ATX motherboard. No fans, no startup, just a bit of high-pitched noise. TURN THAT SYSTEM OFF BEFORE YOU LET THE SMOKE OUT!!! :D

If you've got a voltmeter, you can plug the new PSU in and check the 5v-stby voltage pin against one of the ground pins. Google for the ATX spec to find out which pins are which.
psyte
10-20-2002, 01:59 PM
Yeah, I found a site last night that was talking about the same kind of thing. I think the Dell uses the old AT style power supply (not the ATX I just got). I was still kind of worried, though, so it's reasuring that the same thing happened to someone else. Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait untill I get the rest of my stuff. :(
bwkaz
10-20-2002, 07:56 PM
No, it's not AT either. AT had two connectors that were the same size, that plugged in right next to each other. Dell's main connector is the exact same size and shape (and keying) as an ATX connector, but the voltages are all wrong. There aren't even 3.3V lines on that connector, they're on an entirely separate 6-wire one.

Dell reportedly has some deal going with Intel that Intel builds these (completely nonstandard, completely toastable) motherboards for Dell to use, right in the face of the ATX specification. Of course, it also locks you into using Dell for upgrades that involve either the PSU or motherboard, conveniently for them.

Yeah, wait. Or see if somebody you know wouldn't mind letting you test it on their board.
psyte
10-20-2002, 11:48 PM
Just got a voltometer from a friend of mine and tested it... IT'S ALIVE!!! :D Thanks for the help bwkaz.