OCU C)HT C Discussion Lesson 03
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First, when troubleshooting a power supply unit, it is important to recognize what the problem is based on its symptoms. Symptoms can be a computer powering off or rebooting unexpectedly, failing to start, reporting memory errors, etc. It could even be a tangible problem; the system may be overheating, or the computer’s chassis gives an electric shock. Also, buzzing, BIOS beep codes, or other noises can be an indication.
Once it is confirmed that the power supply unit has some sort of issue, it can be helpful to test it to get more information about what is happening. The PSU can be tested using a multimeter or a power supply tester. Additionally, knowing how old the power supply unit is, whether it was handled roughly in the past, and any past electrical interference can give more information.
After figuring out what the issue is, the PSU may need to be replaced. This involves removing the old PSU and then putting in a new one using a screwdriver and the correct equipment to protect against electro-static discharges. Then, verifying that the new PSU is working correctly and documenting findings are the last few steps for troubleshooting the PSU.
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Great post Isabelle. I noticed some key points that you have mentioned that i have forgot to tag that are also important to know and one of them is documenting your investigation and your findings. I think that this is a good practice to implement if you are to go into hardware technician. Its a good habit to have but also some if not most tend to have the need to document your findings. Also, knowing how old your equipment is or your hardware is vital as well indicating whether if you need to update your parts to ensure everything is running smoothly.
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Hello everyone! Welcome to week 2. Your announcements, devotions, discussions, text, videos, etc. are all in your Mile2 course. I just like to post an announcement in the OCU course, too.
For week 2, you have 1 devotion and 3 discussions to complete (Chapters 3-5). Before completing the discussions, read and watch the videos. When I went through this certification, I took notes during the videos. Do what’s best for your learning style.
I’m praying for each of you. Be sure to pray before, during, and after your lessons. God is with you! ~Dr. Anthony
You will find that I love Billy Graham’s daily devotions. They always speak to me, and I can relate to them in one way or another. Below is today’s devotion. I pray that this speaks to you, too.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven . . .
—Matthew 5:43–45When H. G. Wells summed up the influence of Jesus in history, he said, “Is it any wonder that this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?” And yet the heart of man, though small, is big enough for Christ to live in, if man will only make room for Him. Christ instilled the spirit of Christian love in His followers, so that they lived without malice and died without rancor. The love that Christ talked about can only be given to us by God. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. When you come to Jesus Christ, He transforms you. Your past is forgiven. You receive a power to love men, beyond your natural ability to love.
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To troubleshoot a computers power supply, you can begin by checking the physical connections: ensure the power cable is surely plugged in and the PSU switch is on. You verify the wall outlet or surge protector is functional using another device. Inspect the PSU for signs of damage like a burned smell or bulging capacitors. Also, listening to for unusual noises or A lack of fan activity could be the culprit. I always like to ensure and rule out any other components like the motherboard or power button before replacing the PSU. Make sure to unplug the system when inspecting or handling internal parts, as this is a safety feature! These are some of the basic methods I use to troubleshoot this particular issue and overtime it becomes like clockwork.
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Hi, Carlos. Nice work on your post. I agree that although it is important to take all the right steps and test the components related to the computer, there does need to be a level of priority of what to try first. If it is a different component causing issues that can easily be fixed, it might be worth checking that out first before replacing the PSU.
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As we discussed last week, troubleshooting is an important part of being in a technology field. As far as the computer’s power supply, there are several signs that could cause you to troubleshoot. Some of them include the computer powering up and back down, the blue screen of death appears, the system reports memory errors, etc. When it comes to troubleshooting a computer’s power supply there is a process. All you need to perform this process is a screwdriver and multimeter. To test a PSU with a multimeter, first power down the computer and disconnect all cables. Detach the PSU from internal components, then bridge pins 15 and 16 on the 24-pin connector using a wire. Plug the PSU into a wall outlet and turn it on—the fan should spin if it’s functional. Set your multimeter to DC volts (10V range if needed), connect the black probe to a ground pin, and use the red probe to test voltages on the connector (+3.3V, +5V, -5V, +12V, -12V). If all voltages are within range, the PSU is working. Reconnect everything when done.
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When addressing issues with a computer’s power supply, it’s crucial to begin with the fundamental steps. First, ensure that the power cable is securely connected to both the power supply unit and the wall outlet. If the computer still doesn’t power on, try using a different power cable or outlet to rule out external issues. Next, check the PSU’s switch and make sure it’s turned on. If the problem persists, inspect the internal connections, ensuring that all cables are properly seated and that there are no visible signs of damage or wear. Additionally, testing the PSU with a power supply tester can help determine if the unit is functioning correctly. If the PSU is faulty, replacing it with a new one is often the best solution.
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Hi Misty,
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that starting with the basics, like checking the power cable and outlet, is key since it’s often something simple. I also think using a PSU tester or swapping with a known-good one is a great call for narrowing things down. Your steps are solid and cover the essentials for anyone troubleshooting a power issue.
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Some of the different issues you will see when a PSU fails are the PC does not turn on, HDD & fan do not spin, blue screen errors, overheating & random freezing, hanging or shutdowns. When troubleshooting a power supply, I would start by checking basic connections. Make sure the power supply switch is on, confirm that all cables are securely connected to both the power supply and the wall outlet. Then I would test the PSU form a different outlet to rule out the outlet as the problem. You could also grab your multimeter & test for 120V from the power outlet. If the computer still does not turn on, you can perform the paper clip test on pins 15 & 16 in the ATX connector while in the PC and see if the fan spins. If not, remove the PSU from the PC, keeping the paper clips in and then test individual pins for 3.3V, 5V, or 12V.
The other way you can test it is to buy a Power Supply tester from Micro Center and plug the appropriate 24 pin and 4 pin connectors in to, then plug it up to an outlet & turn it on. It will display the voltage coming of each pin. Either the light will be red for bad pins, or it will not light up at all, then you will know if the PSU is defective.
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Hi James~
This is a practical and methodical breakdown of PSU failure symptoms and basic troubleshooting steps. The inclusion of symptoms like no power, unresponsive fans, blue screens, freezing, and shutdowns points to just how diverse and sneaky PSU-related problems can be. The troubleshooting advice is solid: The paper clip test on pins 15 & 16 is a classic DIY diagnostic to check fan functionality, and testing individual voltages adds a layer of precision for more technical users.
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There are several reasons why the power supply unit (PSU) in your computer may be failing. It could be underpowered; a lightning strike or a power surge could have damaged the unit, and power brown outs can affect the PSU. If the fan is not working or if there is dust in the unit, it could cause a failure. Some of the ways this impacts your system are failure to start up, it could power on and then right back off, memory errors are reported by the system, the system overheats due to an issue with the fan, among other things.
There are a couple of ways to test a PSU. First, you can test with a multimeter. Using a multimeter, you can test the DC voltage of each of the power pins to be sure they are within specification. Second, you could use a power supply tester. By plugging in the ATX 24-pin and ATX 4-pin to the power supply tester, you can review the voltage that way.https://mile2.com/m2-courses/cht/version-01/ebooks/index.html – p=15
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Hi Teisha, your paragraph presents a solid overview of common PSU issues and diagnostic methods. I like how your passage highlights both environmental and internal factors that can cause PSU failure—like lightning strikes, power surges, overheating from fan issues, or even just dust buildup—all of which are often overlooked until a system begins misbehaving. The inclusion of both startup failure and memory errors paints a broader picture of how PSU problems can masquerade as unrelated system glitches.
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